Erik the Red: the slot that launched Relax Gaming
Erik the Red holds a special place in the Relax Gaming story because it was the studio's very first in house slot, released back in 2018. It takes the famous Norse explorer out onto icy seas and builds a fairly traditional video slot around the voyage. In our testing it feels like a product of its time, simpler than the Money Train era titles that came later, but still a tidy Viking adventure. Here is what to know before you play Erik the Red.
The theme and setup
The game is named after Erik the Red, the Norse explorer credited with the first European settlement on Greenland, and the reels sit against a backdrop of frozen water and longships. Erik the Red uses a five reel, four row grid with paylines rather than the cluster or ways formats the studio became known for later. Symbols mix carved Norse icons with the usual card royals, and the whole presentation has a cold, weathered look that fits the journey. If the basics of reels and lines are new to you, our slots guide walks through the format in plain language before you risk anything.
The mechanics
The base game is straightforward. You spin the five reels and form wins along the paylines from the left, with wild symbols stepping in to complete combinations. What gives Erik the Red its character is the way it leans on wild features rather than a single headline gimmick. Wilds can land and stick around to help build a sequence of wins, which suits the raiding theme, and the early Relax design philosophy of keeping the math honest is already visible here. There is no overload of side meters or pick screens, just a clean spin and the hope of triggering the bonus.
The free spins feature
The reason to play Erik the Red is the free spins round. Landing the right scatter combination sends you into the feature, where sticky wilds and added multiplier potential do the heavy lifting. The idea is that wilds hold their position across spins, so a strong start to the round can snowball as more wilds anchor on the grid. It is a recognisable mechanic that many slots use, but in 2018 it was a solid foundation for a debut, and it still delivers the satisfying moment of watching a board fill up. Treat the base game as the wait and the free spins as the payoff.
RTP and volatility
We keep the numbers honest here. Erik the Red runs at a return to player figure around the industry standard of roughly 96 percent, but as with most Relax titles some casinos load lower RTP builds, so always confirm the figure in the game info screen before you spin. Our RTP guide explains why that one number matters more than any bonus. Volatility sits in the medium to high range, which means the base game can run cold while you wait for the free spins to arrive. Our volatility guide covers why patience and a sensible stake matter on a game like this.
How to play Erik the Red
To play Erik the Red sensibly, set a session budget before you load the game and pick a stake that lets you survive a long run of spins without the free spins, because that round is where the value sits. Try the demo first so you understand how often the feature tends to land and how the sticky wilds behave. Do not chase a bonus that is not coming by raising your stake after a dry spell, since that is the fastest way to burn a bankroll. A flat stake and a firm stop point will serve you far better than any superstition about a game being due.
Is Erik the Red worth playing?
Strengths: a clean, uncluttered design, a likeable theme and a satisfying sticky wild bonus. Weaknesses: it is an older title, so it lacks the depth and the huge ceilings of modern Relax slots, and the base game can feel quiet. Erik the Red is a piece of studio history that still plays well, but it is entertainment rather than a way to make money. Set your limit first, sample a free spins offer if one is available, and only play at a licensed site from our casino reviews. For the wider catalogue, read our Relax Gaming review. 18+, gamble responsibly.
Erik the Red FAQ
Who made Erik the Red?
Erik the Red was made by Relax Gaming and it was the studio's first in house slot, released in 2018. It predates the Money Train and Temple Tumble titles that built the studio's high volatility reputation.
What is the main feature in Erik the Red?
The main draw is the free spins round, where sticky wilds hold their position across spins and can build into bigger wins as more of them land. The base game is mostly a wait for that feature to trigger.
Where can I play Erik the Red?
You can play Erik the Red at licensed casinos that carry Relax Gaming. Find a regulated option through our casino reviews, check which RTP version the site runs, and set a deposit limit before you start. 18+.