What Is Solo Leveling: ARISE?

Solo Leveling: ARISE is a free-to-play action RPG developed by Netmarble Neo, based on the globally acclaimed webtoon and anime Solo Leveling. Players take on the role of Sung Jinwoo and other iconic hunters, entering gates to slay monsters, gather loot, and build a shadow army. The game blends faithful story adaptation with original game-exclusive content, fast-paced combat, and character-driven progression.

Platforms & Launch Timeline

The game officially launched worldwide on May 8, 2024, for PC, Android, and iOS. An Xbox Series X|S version is in development, with a next-gen expansion titled Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE scheduled for PC in Q3 2024 and consoles in autumn 2026. Cross-progression is supported across platforms.

Combat & Classes

Combat features real-time, stylish hack-and-slash action with dodge mechanics, flashy ultimates, and chained skill combos. Players primarily control Jinwoo but can switch to other hunters mid-fight. The Overdrive expansion introduces deeper RPG elements, including branching class evolutions such as Assassin, Duelist, Elementalist, and Ruler all tied to Jinwoo’s growing powers as the Shadow Monarch.

Multiplayer & PvP Modes

The core experience is single-player focused, though players can team up for co-op raids and challenges. The upcoming Overdrive expansion adds four-player cooperative content. Traditional PvP modes are not present, but leaderboard-based competitive systems and future multiplayer content are being considered.

Free-to-Play Systems & Monetization

ARISE employs a gacha-based system for unlocking new hunters, weapons, and artifacts. Stamina limits daily dungeon access. While the gameplay is praised for its polish, players have raised concerns about progression bottlenecks and endgame grind. The Overdrive version aims to transition to a buy-to-play model without gacha, addressing feedback on monetization fairness.

Technical & Visual Highlights

The game delivers anime-accurate visuals with cinematic effects, crisp animation, and stylized environments. Combat is responsive on both mobile and PC. Overdrive, built on Unreal Engine 5, upgrades visuals significantly with enhanced lighting, larger dungeon zones, and console-optimized controls. Some feedback has called for improvements to UI clutter and reuse of certain environment assets.

Hunter Tier Rankings (May 2025)

Community tier rankings highlight the following:

PvE: Assassin and Duelist builds dominate for burst DPS and combo play.
PvP/Co-op: Elementalist and Ruler show strong performance in support and AoE roles.

Shadow summon builds and artifact sets are also key to optimizing advanced progression and team synergy.

Challenges & Community Feedback

Players widely praise the game’s faithfulness to the source material, fluid combat, and character variety. Criticism has been directed at repetitive grind loops, UI design on console ports, and lack of meaningful content beyond the main story arc. Developers have acknowledged these concerns and are actively rolling out updates and balance patches.

Conclusion

Solo Leveling: ARISE brings the world of Sung Jinwoo to life with high-impact combat, immersive storytelling, and anime-quality visuals. With a major expansion on the horizon and improvements based on player feedback, the game is evolving into more than just a gacha title—it’s becoming a must-play action RPG for fans and newcomers alike.

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