The fourth instalment in Pragmatic Play’s 5 Lions series comes with the power of the Megaways mechanic. In our 5 Lions Megaways slot review, we will uncover the secrets of this Asian-themed slot that pairs the familiar Wild multipliers and stacked free spin options with a high-volatility Megaways setup that can deliver up to 200,704 ways to win. In the 6-reel layout, each spin shifts the number of symbols and win opportunities. It retains much of the gold-trimmed charm and auspicious iconography of its predecessors, with dragons, turtles and phoenixes still at the heart of the action. From a gameplay standpoint, the key addition is the Megaways engine and the tumble mechanic, which creates fast-paced chain reactions for consecutive wins. Pragmatic has also preserved the hallmark feature of the series—player-selectable free spins modes with escalating Wild multipliers that can now go as high as 40x. While the top payout is capped at 5,000x, and might feel underwhelming for a Megaways title, the game remains a solid option for those who value control over variance in their bonus rounds.
5 Lions Megaways plays out on a 6-reel grid with a variable number of rows—up to 7 on the outer reels and 8 on the middle four—thanks to the Megaways engine. This layout enables up to 200,704 ways to win on every spin, with payouts awarded for matching symbols on adjacent reels starting from the leftmost side. Unlike fixed-payline slots, the number of ways changes on each spin in a Megaways game. This makes the base gameplay more dynamic and unpredictable.
The game also accommodates a broad betting range, suitable for most bankrolls. You can wager from as little as £0.20 per spin up to £125. There is also an Ante Bet option, which increases your stake by 25% but doubles the chance of triggering the free spins feature.
The default RTP sits at a strong 96.50%, which is comfortably above the industry average. However, be aware that some versions offer lower RTP settings of 95.52% or 94.54% depending on the casino operator. This is a highly volatile slot game rated 5 out of 5 for variance, meaning long dry spells are possible but big wins can land in short bursts. The maximum win of 5,000x is achievable through high-value free spins and Wild multipliers.
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5 Lions Megaways brings a familiar yet visually rich East Asian theme. There is also, of course, that signature high-gloss finish characteristic to Pragmatic Play’s modern slots. The design is grounded in traditional Chinese symbolism—golden lions, sacred creatures, lucky charms, all wrapped in a regal blue backdrop with ornate gold around the reels. The soundtrack is tranquil with plucked strings and flowing chimes for a ceremonial tone to complement the theme without becoming overwhelming.
The game features 11 standard symbols, divided into low and high pay tiers. Low-paying symbols are stylised card ranks from 10 to A with brushstroke-like calligraphy. The premium symbols include a turtle, koi fish, golden frog, phoenix, and a majestic dragon—the latter being the highest-paying symbol in the game.
The Wild symbol is represented by a golden lion. It only appears on reels 2, 3, 4, and 5 and substitutes for all symbols except the Scatter. When part of a winning combination, Wilds can also apply a random multiplier between x2 and x40 in both base game and bonus rounds (more on that later).
The Scatter symbol is the Yin & Yang symbol—the key to unlocking the Free Spins feature. Three or more Scatters not only trigger the bonus round but also award an instant cash prize of up to 100x your stake.
Below is a breakdown of all the symbol values:
Ten
3 = 0.1x stake / 4 = 0.2x stake / 5 = 0.4x stake / 6 = 1x stake
Jack
3 = 0.1x stake / 4 = 0.2x stake / 5 = 0.4x stake / 6 = 1x stake
Queen
3 = 0.1x stake / 4 = 0.2x stake / 5 = 0.4x stake / 6 = 1x stake
King
3 = 0.2x stake / 4 = 0.3x stake / 5 = 0.5x stake / 6 = 1.25x stake
Ace
3 = 0.2x stake / 4 = 0.3x stake / 5 = 0.5x stake / 6 = 1.25x stake
Turtle
3 = 0.3x stake / 4 = 0.5x stake / 5 = 1x stake / 6 = 2.5x stake
Koi Fish
3 = 0.3x stake / 4 = 0.5x stake / 5 = 1.25x stake / 6 = 2.5x stake
Golden Frog
3 = 0.5x stake / 4 = 0.75x stake / 5 = 1.5x stake / 6 = 5x stake
Phoenix
3 = 0.75x stake / 4 = 1.25x stake / 5 = 2.5x stake / 6 = 5x stake
Dragon
3 = 1x stake / 4 = 2x stake / 5 = 4x stake / 6 = 25x stake
5 Lions Megaways performs flawlessly on mobile, which is no surprise given it was developed by Pragmatic Play using HTML5. The game runs smoothly on both iOS and Android devices, with its reel animations and cascading mechanics displaying without any lag.
The reel layout automatically adjusts to fit smaller screens, keeping the 6-reel Megaways grid comfortably centred. Icons are sharp, controls are clearly spaced and responsive, and bet adjustments or activating features like the Ante Bet are easily managed via intuitive menus.
So, it does not matter whether you are spinning casually or buying into the bonus round, the game remains fluid, legible, and touch-optimised across devices.
The game comes packed with feature mechanics designed to generate momentum through tumbling symbols, win multipliers, and a heavily customisable Free Spins feature. There is no jackpot or bonus minigame but the combination of cascading wins and powerful Wild multipliers gives this game a sharp edge. The standout, as expected in a 5 Lions title, is the Free Spins round with its seven selectable modes.
After any winning combination, the Tumble feature activates and removes the winning symbols from the reels. New symbols drop in to fill the gaps, potentially forming additional wins. Tumbles continue until no new win occurs. This mechanic applies during both the base game and bonus rounds. And this mechanic is precisely what makes chaining big multipliers and triggering bonus features possible.
Whenever a Wild symbol (the golden lion) is part of a winning combination, it triggers a random multiplier between 2x and 40x. This applies in both the base game and during free spins. Multiple Wilds do not stack, but even a single Wild multiplier can lead to substantial boosts—especially when combined with tumbling wins.
Landing 3, 4, 5, or 6 Yin & Yang Scatter symbols triggers the Free Spins feature and awards a payout of 3x, 5x, 25x, or 100x the total stake, respectively. You can then choose from seven options, each with a different balance of free spins and potential wild multipliers. Here are the options you can choose from:
As you can see, you can either choose more free spins with a lower multiplier or fewer free spins with a higher multiplier. Generally speaking, the middle ground is the safest.
Wins that include Wilds during the round will randomly apply one of the three multipliers from the chosen mode. Also, this feature can be retriggered with 3 or more Scatters, giving you the same number of free spins again.
For those outside the UK or in markets where Bonus Buy is enabled, you can access the Free Spins round instantly for 100x your total stake. This guarantees a triggering spin with at least 3 Scatters and lets you immediately choose your preferred free spins setup. The RTP remains at 96.5%.
The Ante Bet allows you to increase your base stake by 25%, which, in turn, doubles the chance of landing the Free Spins feature. While it does not affect payouts directly or symbol values, it does improve the frequency of bonus rounds and may suit those who want to shortcut the wait for Scatters to land.
If you have played any of the previous 5 Lions slots, sliding into 5 Lions Megaways feels like returning to a familiar seat at the table—only this time the chair is rigged to bounce and the table keeps reshuffling itself. The Megaways engine gives the format the boost it always needed. It turns what was once a relatively static setup into a much more dynamic ride. And then there are the Wild multipliers—sweet, unpredictable, explosive little treats. I had rounds where nothing landed for ages, followed by one satisfying tumble that connected a Wild dragon and exploded the multiplier like it was Chinese New Year.
Sure, it is high volatility and that 5,000x cap is not blowing anyone’s socks off in 2025. But truthfully, not every game needs to pretend it is going to turn you into the next slot millionaire. This one is more about the pacing, the consistent sense of progress, and picking your own free spins poison. I took the 13-spin route more than once, chasing those juicy 15x, and I do not regret a single coin.
Rating: 8 (Very Good)
What Pragmatic Play has done here is refine a familiar formula and fuse it with mechanics that make it feel snappier and more engaging. The Megaways upgrade alone justifies its place in the series, while the Free Spins choice mechanic continues to be one of the most enjoyable and strategic bonus rounds around.
The only real miss is the max win cap. In a Megaways slot, 5,000x feels cautious—almost modest. Still, between the tumble wins, Wild multipliers, and the glitzy East Asian aesthetic, this slot offers enough juice to stay fun without getting repetitive. For fans of the series, it is a strong step forward. For everyone else, it is still a very playable high-volatility game with just enough charm and flexibility to keep you coming back.
These are some common questions about 5 Lions Megaways.