Mermaid Queen Introduction

Novomatics has a reputation for creating some of the most iconic online slots ever made, which is exactly why other studios so often copy their formulas. The attraction is usually the straightforward mechanics and steady, rhythmic flow, paired with high variance and strong win potential. Still, do we really need another Novomatic-style clone, and why do developers keep releasing games that feel nearly identical and even share the same kind of paytables?

The straightforward reality is that it’s easy, it works, and they can get away with it. After all, not every casino carries Novomatic slots—actually, most don’t at the time of writing. That demand leaves a clear opening. SG Gaming, with a broad distribution network and games available at many casinos, is smart to take advantage of that gap. Play’n GO, for instance, recreated Book of Ra with Book of Dead so successfully that it’s almost as popular as the original. With a simple template like this, can it really go wrong? Players are sensitive to balance and pacing, and the trademark Novo rhythm—especially in clones—matters a lot, as you’ll notice here.

So, Mermaid Queen is an online slot from SG Gaming built on 5 reels, 3 rows and 10 pay lines. It runs on all devices, and the stake range goes from €0.10 to €500 per spin, which suits both micro-stakes players and high rollers. Novomatic classics are often associated with a slightly lower RTP than many prefer, but SG Gaming has pushed it down further with a 94% RTP configuration.

On the visual side, Mermaid Queen sticks closely to the traditional Novo look and vibe, but we never quite fell into that familiar rhythmic trance because the play feels sluggish and uneven, with long pauses between spins. Mechanically, it blends elements from two of the most played Novos—Book of Ra and Lucky Lady’s Charm. The paytable strongly resembles the former, while the bonus mirrors the latter exactly. Definitely an interesting combination.

Mermaid Queen Symbols & Paytable

There are 13 symbols used overall—6 low to medium value symbols made up of 9, 10, J, Q, K and A royals, plus 6 premium icons shown as binoculars, pearls (a nod to Lucky Lady), treasure chests, ships, dolphins, and the sailor man. The sailor is the top payer, awarding 500 times the stake for 5 across a full pay line.

The scatter is represented by a mermaid. While 3 scatters are enough to activate the bonus, landing 5 of them in the base game pays a 500x win. Beyond that, there isn’t much else to note regarding the symbol set.

Mermaid Queen Free Spins

To activate the free spins feature, you must hit at least 3 scatter symbols anywhere across the reels. This grants 15 free spins and applies a 3x multiplier to all wins, meaning the feature can reach a maximum of 1500 times the stake on a single spin. The round plays in the same style as Lucky Lady’s Charm: at the beginning of each spin, every symbol is concealed and then revealed one by one to show any winning combinations.

As you’d expect from a clone, the feature can be re-triggered by landing 3 or more scatter symbols.

Mermaid Queen Conclusion

As big fans of Novomatic and their classic slot lineup, we’re always keen to test new clones that appear in our favourite casinos, and plenty have been pleasant surprises. With Mermaid Queen, though, our feelings are split. The action is simply too slow and jerky—arguably even more so than the Merkur clones—making it a bit frustrating.

The low RTP is also, honestly, a drawback, and we don’t see a strong reason to choose this game unless you specifically want Lucky Lady’s Charm but can’t access it, and you can’t satisfy that itch with another alternative.