Merge Up 2 in Demo Mode

Merge Up 2 from BGaming is a cluster slot that can truly be considered a dark horse among new slots. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary slot, but in fact, its simplicity hides a something interesting. 

The main feature of the game is the symbol merging system, where each win transforms the grid, adding multipliers that can reach up to X128. With bombs, scatters, and three bonus rounds that can be purchased, Merge Up 2 offers a truly dynamic experience.

My game started off pretty badly. I played with a balance of 1,000 credits, betting $2. At first, everything was going badly, with almost no cascades. This continued until the 63rd spin, where I won over $800 thanks to the multipliers that stacked up from the cascades. Later, I decided to buy a bonus round for $1,000. I got a lot of Scatters, so I received 30 Free Spins, which allowed me to win over $4,000. 

Merge Up 2 is based on a cluster win mechanism rather than paylines, which is currently very popular among slots. A win occurs when four or more identical symbols appear next to each other vertically or horizontally, forming a cluster. After each win, a “merge” occurs — some of the winning symbols disappear, and the rest are transformed into symbols of the next level. The game explains this transformation process quite clearly, as the corresponding scale is always visible at the top.

There are 9 levels of symbols in total, each offering higher potential rewards. When a cluster reaches level 8, it creates a “Bomb” symbol, which destroys the symbols around it and increases the local multipliers. After the explosion, the ‘Bomb’ itself turns into a “Scatter,” potentially triggering a round of free spins.

The cascading, evolutionary nature of the gameplay keeps every spin exciting, as mergers can lead to chain reactions that fill the screen with new winning opportunities. And it was this feature of the game that I used to win over $4,000 (in demo mode, of course).

Symbols

The symbols in this game are literally the engine of the entire gaming process. This is quite rare. The key feature of the symbols is evolution. They don't just disappear, and new ones fall in their place. They actually transform, which significantly increases the chances of a new cluster appearing, consisting of more expensive symbols. And that's how (and only how) you can win in this game. 

• Regular Symbols — appear in different colors and shapes, merging progressively from level 1 to 9.

• Bomb Symbol — created when an 8th-level cluster forms. It explodes, destroying 8 surrounding symbols and boosting multipliers by ×1 before turning into a Scatter.

• Scatter Symbol — triggers the Free Spins round. It can appear naturally or as a result of a Bomb explosion.

Purple Diamond

12+160.00

1132.00

1024.00

916.00

88.00

74.80

63.20

52.40

41.60

Pink Diamond

12+64.00

1124.00

1016.00

912.80

86.40

73.20

62.40

51.60

41.28

Red Diamond

12+48.00

1116.00

1012.80

99.60

83.20

72.40

61.60

51.28

40.96

Orange Diamond

12+40.00

1112.80

109.60

98.00

82.40

71.60

61.28

50.96

40.80

Yellow Diamond

12+32.00

119.60

108.00

96.40

81.60

71.28

60.96

50.80

40.64

Green Diamond

12+24.00

118.00

106.40

94.80

81.28

70.96

60.80

50.64

40.48

Blue Diamond

12+16.00

116.40

104.80

93.20

80.96

70.80

60.64

50.48

40.32

Navy Dimond

12+8.00

114.80

103.20

91.60

80.80

70.64

60.48

50.32

40.16

The slot has several key features that really affect gameplay and have a direct impact on your winnings. These features are consistent with the principle of how the symbols work, which demonstrates the integrity of the slot.

• Symbols Merge — the game’s core mechanic. Clusters evolve through 9 levels, each more valuable than the previous.

• High Symbols Merge — when a cluster reaches level 8, it spawns a Bomb. The explosion clears nearby symbols and upgrades local multipliers, potentially setting off chain merges.

• Scatter Symbol and Free Spins — landing 3 or more Scatters activates the Free Spins round:

• 3 Scatters = 12 Free Spins

• 4 Scatters = 15 Free Spins

• 5 Scatters = 20 Free Spins

• 6 + Scatters = 30 Free Spins

Bonus Buy Options — you can purchase three variants of the Free Spins mode:

1. Bonus Game 1 — standard Free Spins round.

2. Bonus Game 2 — Free Spins with a starting ×2 multiplier in every cell.

3. Bonus Game 3 — starts with 3–9 Bombs on the reels that explode to generate multipliers before Free Spins begin.

I prototyped the first and third options.

Even in terms of its overall dynamics, Merge Up 2 doesn’t stray too far from the classic cluster slots — but it adds a modern twist with its merge mechaniс.

1. Max Win — up to 10,000x your bet. With the right sequence of merges and multipliers, a single spin can turn into a massive chain of wins. And that's exactly what happened during my test.

2. Volatility — high. That means wins won’t occur on every spin, but when they do, they can build up fast through multiple cascades and multipliers. It’s a risk-reward setup that keeps you in tension. And sometimes even a little annoying.

3. RTP — 98.00%, which is a very healthy percentage for a game packed with features and bonus triggers.

4. Hit Frequency — around 20-21% (estimated based on testing). It might feel streaky, but the merges and cascades make even non-winning spins feel alive. There is one caveat. One cascade can last a minute or so, but it is still one spin. Therefore, it often feels like the frequency is much higher. 

5. Bet Range — from $0.25 to $25. This is suitable for players with a normal bankroll, but definitely not for high rollers.

The real thrill of Merge Up 2 lies in its unpredictability. A single spin can explode into a chain reaction of merges, bombs, and multipliers — making this slot one of the most dynamic experiences in its category for now.