Ryze 2

In slot form, though? Absolutely. That’s exactly the fantasy ELK Studios taps into with Ryze 2, the sequel to the original Ryze slot. I spent a good amount of time testing this follow-up, and I can confidently say that while it stays true to the original formula, it also brings enough new mechanics to feel fresh.

Ryze 2 takes me deep into an ancient mint carved into a mountain, where gold coins pile up across the screen and a dragon named Ryze silently guards the loot. The atmosphere is strong right from the start. Ryze himself is an interesting character - cute but intimidating - which keeps me wondering whether he’s secretly helping or just waiting for a reason to roast me. Either way, the theme is classic fantasy done right, and the visuals are crisp, polished, and unmistakably ELK Studios.

Ryze 2 uses a 7-row grid with 5 to 6 columns, and the grid is deliberately uneven. This causes symbols to fall left or right during Avalanches instead of straight down, which adds a surprising amount of unpredictability. The game uses a cluster pays system, meaning I need at least 5 matching symbols connected anywhere on the grid to form a win.

From my experience, this slot is highly volatile. Long dry spells are very possible, but when things connect, wins can escalate quickly thanks to multipliers and Coins. Bets range from CA$0.20 up to CA$100, making it accessible for both casual players and high rollers. The theoretical RTP sits at 94%, which is on the lower side, especially compared to the original Ryze, so bankroll management is essential here.

There are seven main pay symbols: bronze, silver, and gold Coins, followed by blue, green, purple, and red gems. The gems are the higher-paying symbols, and large clusters of 15 or more symbols pay between 1.5x and 10x the stake.

Wilds play a crucial role. They substitute for all regular symbols and Coins and, more importantly, come with multipliers that can grow significantly over time.

Avalanche Mechanic & Multiplier Wilds

Every winning cluster triggers an Avalanche, removing all symbols involved and allowing new ones to fall into place. Avalanches continue until no new wins are formed. Whenever I hit a winning cluster of regular pay symbols (excluding Coins), the game creates an x1 Multiplier Wild.

What makes this exciting is how these Multiplier Wilds evolve. Each Wild increases its multiplier by +1 for every Coin or pay symbol in the winning cluster. When multiple Multiplier Wilds land in the same win, they merge, combining their values into a single, stronger Wild. Watching multipliers stack and merge is easily one of my favourite aspects of Ryze 2.

Coin Feature

Coins behave differently from standard symbols. Each Coin carries a bet multiplier value, and when I land a winning Coin cluster, the total Coin value is paid out immediately. What’s interesting is that the total value then transfers to a new Coin left on the grid, keeping the potential alive.

Coin-only clusters don’t generate Multiplier Wilds, but if Multiplier Wilds are involved in the win, their values apply to the Coin payout, which can result in some very satisfying moments.

Burst Symbols

Burst symbols act as blockers until the end of the spin. When they activate, they transform themselves and surrounding pay symbols into matching symbols or Coins. I found these especially useful for setting up future Avalanches. If a Burst symbol activates next to a dormant Orb, it also powers that Orb, which ties nicely into the new feature.

Orb Overload – The Big Addition

The Orb Overload feature is the standout new mechanic in Ryze 2. There are six Orbs on the grid, and winning clusters next to dormant Orbs activate them. If I manage to power all six in a single spin, Orb Overload triggers.

During Orb Overload, each Orb activates one by one, triggering a random effect. Some Orbs may do nothing, but others can be extremely powerful:

• Spawn Coin
• Symbol Shift (upgrades symbols)
• Spawn Burst
• Spawn Wild
• Empower Wild (doubles its value)
• Spawn Great Wild (higher starting multiplier)

After Orb Overload finishes, all Orbs reset and can be powered again within the same spin, which creates real potential for chain reactions.

The bonus round triggers when a bonus scatter reaches the bottom row, awarding 7 free spins. During free spins, Multiplier Wilds become sticky, which dramatically improves win potential. Additional scatters add +3 extra spins.

If a super bonus scatter reaches the bottom row, the bonus upgrades to the Super Bonus, where every free spin starts with an Orb Overload already active. From my experience, this is where Ryze 2 truly shines.

For players who prefer skipping the wait, Ryze 2 offers several feature buys:

• Bonus Hunt (2.5x bet)
• Mega Bonus Hunt (5x bet)
• Orb Overload (50x bet)
• Regular Bonus (100x bet)
• Super Bonus (500x bet)

These options make the game more flexible, though they also come with increased risk due to the slot’s high volatility.