Wildchemy is a 5×5 grid slot from Relax Gaming that replaces traditional paylines with cluster pays — wins form whenever three or more identical symbols connect in a horizontal or vertical line. Released in March 2019, the game layers four distinct mechanics over an alchemy laboratory theme: cascading symbols, Magical Portals that can mass-transform an entire symbol type into wilds, a flask collector that tracks scatters across spins, and a free spins round with an extra portal and a 2x multiplier on all wins. The RTP is 96.02%, volatility is medium, and the maximum win is 1,500x your stake. Bets range from £0.10 to £100 per spin.
Theme and Design
The setting is a post-medieval chemistry laboratory — cluttered benches, glass apparatus, bubbling flasks, and the dim atmospheric lighting of a workshop where something unusual is always being brewed. The game’s two lead characters anchor the high-paying symbols: a bearded alchemist and his mechanical robot assistant. Mid-tier premiums include a mortar and pestle, a set of scales, and various amulets. The lower-value symbols are small potion bottles in different colours, test tubes, and laboratory instruments. The golden W wild substitutes for all regular symbols. The purple scatter potion is the most important symbol in the game — it does not simply land; it detonates in a cross pattern when it appears, removing adjacent symbols and opening space for further cascades.
The visual style suits the broader Relax Gaming catalog — detailed hand-drawn art on a consistently dark, moody background. The portal animations are the centrepiece: when both portals match, symbols shimmer and convert across the entire grid before win evaluation begins.
How the Four Mechanics Work
Cluster Pays and Cascading Symbols
Wildchemy uses no paylines. Instead, any three or more identical symbols forming a connected horizontal or vertical line constitute a winning cluster. After a win, all contributing symbols explode and disappear, and the symbols above them fall into the vacated spaces. New symbols generate from above to fill remaining gaps. The grid is then re-evaluated for new winning clusters. This avalanche mechanic repeats until no new winning cluster forms, at which point the spin resolves. Each cascade within the same spin is free — a single wager can produce many consecutive winning evaluations if clusters keep forming.
Magical Portals
Two portal positions are permanently fixed on the 5×5 grid: the top-left corner and the bottom-right corner. These portals display whichever symbol happens to land in those positions on each spin. The trigger condition is simple: if the symbols in both portals match, the portals activate.
When both portals show the same symbol, every copy of that symbol on the 5×5 grid simultaneously transforms into a wild before evaluation. The activation happens before the cascade, so the wilds are available for the initial spin and every cascade that follows. The effect scales with frequency — if the matching symbol occupied eight grid positions, eight wilds are instantly in play.
Flask Collector and Free Spins
The purple scatter potion detonates in a cross pattern when it lands, removing adjacent symbols and creating cascade space. Every scatter that appears — across the initial spin and all cascades — adds one count to a visible flask collector on screen. The counter persists across multiple spins until four are gathered, so the trigger does not require four scatters to land simultaneously.
When the flask collector reaches four, the free spins round begins: 4 free spins are awarded, with 4 additional spins for each scatter beyond the fourth at the point of trigger. Two changes apply for the duration of the feature. A third portal appears in the top-right corner, raising the number of active portal positions from two to three and significantly increasing the probability of a portal match triggering a mass wild conversion. All wins during free spins carry a 2x multiplier. Scatters do not appear during free spins, so the round cannot be retriggered.
Tips for Playing Wildchemy
Because scatters accumulate across spins, each one landing is meaningful progress rather than an isolated event. We recommend noting the collector count before each session — two or three flasks already filled means the free spins trigger is closer than the base-game rhythm suggests. Medium volatility means wins appear consistently, but the largest payouts come when a portal activation fires mid-cascade chain rather than from a single landing.
For bankroll sizing, 100 to 150 base bets is a reasonable session minimum. The £0.10 minimum bet makes this accessible at very low stakes without sacrificing any feature. All outcomes are RNG-certified — no pattern or timing affects when the portals match or when scatters reach the 5×5 grid.
Our Verdict
Wildchemy earns its place through the Magical Portals mechanic. Mass wild conversions triggered by corner symbol matching is a genuinely elegant idea — simple to understand, visually legible, and capable of generating outsized cascade chains without requiring a separate bonus round. The flask collector adds a layer of persistent progression that makes base-game play feel less random than most cluster slots: every spin with a scatter is a step forward. The 96.02% RTP and medium volatility make this one of the more accessible entries among top-paying slots in the medium-volatility band.
The trade-offs are the 1,500x ceiling — modest by current standards — and a free spins round that, while enhanced, is short (4 to 12 spins in most triggers) and cannot retrigger. For players who enjoy cluster mechanics with persistent progression elements, Wildchemy delivers a well-constructed experience. For players chasing extreme max wins, the ceiling is a genuine limitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do the Magical Portals work?
The top-left and bottom-right corners of the 5×5 grid are permanent portal positions. When both corners show the same symbol in a given spin, every copy of that symbol on the entire grid transforms into a wild before win evaluation. This mass conversion applies to the initial spin and all subsequent cascades within that chain.
How does the flask collector trigger free spins?
Each scatter potion that lands — across all spins and cascades — adds one to the flask collector. When the total reaches four, free spins begin. Scatters can accumulate across multiple consecutive spins rather than needing to land simultaneously, so the trigger count is always visible and progresses across sessions.
What changes during free spins?
A third portal activates in the top-right corner, increasing the chances of a portal match and mass wild conversion. All wins during the feature are multiplied by 2x. Scatters do not appear in free spins, preventing any retrigger.
What is the max win in Wildchemy?
The maximum win is 1,500x your stake. Reaching it requires a combination of Magical Portal activation — converting multiple symbols to wilds — and a sustained cascade chain. The 1,500x ceiling is relatively modest by modern standards but consistent with the game’s medium volatility profile.
