About
A sequel that actually evolves its own legend—really? Yes! Play’n GO’s The Sword and the Grail Excalibur (launched 25 Apr 2024) reworks Camelot around three pillars: a Sword Meter with Wild multipliers up to ×100, instant King’s Prizes, and a more strategic free-spin round. Why should this matter in the online casino 2025 landscape? Because readable mechanics, transparent RTP ranges, and mobile-first execution remain the difference between a session you can plan… and one you can’t.
Key Features & Relevant Data (fast facts)
| Item | Details |
| Studio | Play’n GO |
| Release | 25 Apr 2024 |
| Grid / Lines | 5×3, 20 fixed paylines |
| RTP options | 96.20% (default); also 94.20% / 91.20% / 87.20% / 84.20% (operator-selectable) |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 25,000× bet |
| Core systems | Sword Meter with Wild multipliers ×2 / ×3 / ×10 / ×100; King’s Prizes (instant awards); Round Table wheel to set spins & starting Scatters; wandering sticky Grail Wilds in Free Spins |
Specs from the official game page and third-party testers.
How It Works — with concrete, session-level detail
Base game — quiet… then decisive!
- Sword Meter multipliers. On any base spin, Excalibur can “ignite” a global Wild multiplier (×2 / ×3 / ×10 / ×100). When Wilds take part in a win, the active value multiplies the payout. Simple. Potent.
- King’s Prizes (instant awards). A silver-lion crest pays instantly; if a Sword multiplier is active, it multiplies the award before it hits your balance. Example: a 10× King’s Prize under a ×10 Sword = 100× total for that spin.
Free spins — round, escalate, converge
- Trigger: land 3+ Sword Scatters.
- Round Table wheel: two rings decide the package—up to 15 free spins and 0–4 starting Scatters.
- Progression: every 5 Scatters collected adds +3 spins and upgrades the Sword tier (toward ×100).
- Wandering sticky Grail Wilds: Wilds stick, then move in unison one cell per spin (up/down/left/right) and can eventually slide off the grid—so paths matter!
Example timeline (illustrative, not predictive).
- 14 Aug 2025, 18:42 (demo): Wheel → 12 FS + 2 starting Scatters; reached the ×10 tier; two Grail Wilds converged on reels 3–4 for a mid-round spike.
- 28 Aug 2025, 21:10 (real play, 96.20% site): a dry stretch, then a King’s Prize under ×10 Sword—solid uplift without a bonus.
- Lesson? Value concentrates when the meter tier climbs and wandering Wilds align; the feel is drier at lower RTP versions—check the live RTP in the info panel first.
Review & Rating (experience-led, with series context)
| Criterion | Verdict |
| Theme & UI | Clean Arthurian look, crisp icons, unobtrusive audio; strong on phones. |
| Feature design | Instant prizes + meter multipliers + roaming Wilds = layered peaks, not one-spin fireworks. |
| Math transparency | RTP ranges matter; operators can deploy lower builds—verify the % displayed in your casino. |
| Risk / Ceiling | High volatility with a 25,000× cap—compelling but swingy; session budgeting essential. |
| Overall | 4.5 / 5 for players who enjoy progression and patient build-ups over bonus buys. |
Where Excalibur sits in Play’n GO’s Arthurian arc
- 6 Aug 2019 — The Sword & the Grail defines the ladder (×2 → ×5 → ×10 → ×100) and timeless 5×3/20-line clarity.
- 24 Nov 2022 — Clash of Camelot ratchets the ceiling to 35,000× and adds duel-style dynamics.
- 5 Oct 2023 — Return of the Green Knight tops out at 40,000× with x100 moments; still 20 lines.
- 25 Apr 2024 — Excalibur refines the ladder with King’s Prizes, a two-ring wheel, and wandering sticky Wilds—momentum over gimmicks.
Snapshot Table — Numbers that steer expectations
| Metric | Value | Why it matters |
| Default RTP | 96.20% | Long-term payback for the standard build; lower builds exist—always verify. |
| Alt RTPs | 94.20 / 91.20 / 87.20 / 84.20% | Operator-selectable; affects session “feel,” drought length, and comp value. |
| Max win | 25,000× bet | Ambitious but rare; typical of high-variance Play’n GO models. |
| Comparative ceilings | 35,000× (Clash of Camelot), 40,000×(Return of the Green Knight) | Prefer ceiling hunts? Consider these siblings. |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sword Meter with ×2/×3/×10/×100 Wilds—transparent, high-impact, readable.
- King’s Prizes inject on-spin value; multiply under active Sword tiers.
- Wandering sticky Wilds build multi-spin tension in bonuses—no “blink and it’s over.”
Cons
- High variance: streaks happen; plan stakes and session length.
- RTP ranges: some sites run lower configurations—player value varies.
- No bonus buy: a purist design; some players prefer purchase options.
Side-by-Side (quick comparison within the series)
| Title | Release | Lines | Max Win | Signature twist |
| The Sword & the Grail | 2019-08-06 | 20 | ~10,000× | Stage-based free spins; ladder to ×100. |
| Clash of Camelot | 2022-11-24 | 20 | 35,000× | Multiplier Wilds; duel-style moments. |
| Return of the Green Knight | 2023-10-05 | 20 | 40,000× | Shield/multiplier dynamics; ceiling-chaser. |
| Excalibur | 2024-04-25 | 20 | 25,000× | Sword Meter, King’s Prizes, wandering sticky Wilds. |
Payments, Platforms & Player Fit (brief, practical)
Play only at licensed casinos (e.g., UKGC, MGA, reputable local regulators). Why? Better RTP disclosure, clear T&Cs, and more predictable KYC—key for fast withdrawal of money. If you chase a bonus without deposit, scrutinize caps, expiry, game eligibility, and weighting; read the promo page before you accept. For supplier credibility, Play’n GO lists UKGC account 55949 and MGA/B2B/225/2012 on its site footer. Verify as needed.
FAQ
What RTP should I actually look for?
Ideally 96.20%. Some sites offer 94.20% / 91.20% / 87.20% / 84.20% variants—confirm the live value in the info/help panel before you stake. It matters.
How do free spins escalate?
Trigger with 3+ Scatters → two-ring wheel sets spins and starting Scatters → every 5 Scatters adds +3 spins and upgrades the Sword tier → Grail Wilds stick and wander each spin.
Is 25,000× realistic?
It’s the published maximum; like most high-volatility slots, such outcomes are extremely rare. Treat as potential, not expectation.
Does Excalibur include a bonus buy?
No—features are organic only. That’s deliberate.
How does it compare to other Arthurian titles?
Prefer raw ceiling? Return of the Green Knight hits 40,000×. Like duels and theatrics? Clash of Camelot tops 35,000×. Want clear progression plus instant prizes? Excalibur.
Responsible Gambling — clear tools, real help (18+)
Set deposit/time limits, use reality checks, and walk away after significant wins or losses. If gambling stops being entertainment, stop. Free, confidential support: GamCare (National Gambling Helpline), BeGambleAware (assessment tools, self-exclusion guidance), RGC (Canada), NCPG 1-800-GAMBLER (US).
Glossary
- RTP (Return to Player): long-term theoretical payback; casinos may run different builds.
- Volatility: risk profile of wins; high = fewer but larger hits.
- Wandering (Roaming) Wilds: sticky Wilds that move one cell per spin in the bonus.
- King’s Prize (Instant Prize): symbol that pays immediately; multiplied by the active Sword tier.
Camelot calls. Answer wisely!
Clear rules. Rising multipliers. Bonuses that build rather than blink. The Sword and the Grail Excalibur rewards patience with readable, momentum-driven peaks. Ceiling chaser? Compare it with Return of the Green Knight; series purist? The 2019 original still sings. Whatever you choose, stick to licensed casinos, verify the RTP, and keep play strictly for fun. 18+ only.