Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE

If you grew up dreaming of becoming the underdog who rises to the top, Netmarble might have just handed you that chance.

Netmarble has officially launched its new action title, Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE, a PC and console adaptation of the massively popular Solo Leveling webtoon, which boasts an incredible 14.3 billion global views. The PC version arrived first and is now available on Xbox PC and Steam.

Fans have long anticipated the chance to experience the journey of Sung JinWoo, the national-level hunter, on additional platforms. Based on our hands-on time with the title, here’s a look at what makes Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE such a standout experience.

Lose yourself
in the world of Solo Leveling

Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE follows the story of Sung JinWoo, an E-rank hunter once considered the weakest of humanity, as he rises to become the Shadow Monarch. Key moments from the webtoon are brought to life through a blend of cinematic cutscenes, combining the original panels with full voice acting and custom 3D animation sequences.

The story’s appeal is undeniable, backed by the webtoon’s staggering 14.3 billion global views. On top of that, the game’s high-quality 3D animation, faithfully adapted from the original storyline, delivers an incredibly immersive experience.

The game opens with a battle between the Shadow Monarch
and the Monarch of White Flames, set in the distant past

One of the most striking moments unfolds right at the start, as these two powerful monarchs face off. While the event is only briefly mentioned in the webtoon, the game expands it in full detail, letting players witness the Shadow Monarch, once the most dominant force, clash with the demon-leading Monarch of White Flames, a truly exhilarating spectacle.

While the cinematic narrative immediately captures the player’s attention, it’s the gameplay that keeps the excitement alive. After completing the prologue, which follows Sung JinWoo’s transformation from an E-rank hunter into a ‘growing hunter,’ players enter the Hunters Association lobby.

From here, players can access the main story as well as a variety of additional content. Before diving into battle, let’s take a closer look at the activities and features available in the lobby.

In the Hunters Association Lobby, players will Encounter Hunters

As the central hub of the Hunters Association, this lobby isn’t just home to the protagonist, Sung JinWoo, other hunters also make their appearances here.

Players step into JinWoo’s shoes, interacting with characters from both the original story and game-original hunters, engaging in conversations, and collecting small in-game rewards.

The lobby also features vending machines and a café offering various buff drinks to support players in battle, shops where materials and items can be purchased, and even a mini-game area for some extra fun.

All weapons are crafted by the player

In the lobby, players can also access the Crafting system, which lets you create various gear, consumables, and materials.

Notably, some of the weapons you can craft, such as Kasaka’s Venom Fang and the Demon King’s Dagger, are iconic arms JinWoo wielded in the original story.

Materials and Currency Can Be Farmed In-Game

The part of the lobby that stood out most to me was the Recruitment system, where players can bring Hunters on board to support Sung JinWoo. 

What makes it so engaging is its unique approach: players use Hunt Coins, earned through conversations with lobby Hunters and by progressing through the main story, to negotiate and recruit them.

The more Hunt Coins you offer, the higher the chance of a successful recruitment, which adds a surprisingly realistic touch.

Higher-ranked Hunters naturally require more Hunt Coins, but even if a negotiation fails, you can try again later with an increased success rate, and you also receive a portion of the spent Hunt Coins back, so there’s no need to worry.
 

Distinctive Combat Mechanics

Now, let’s dive into the game’s core feature: combat.
Players engage in countless battles, not only in the main story but also in world content such as Gates and Dungeon Breaks, where they can farm materials and currency for crafting. 

The combat system delivers a uniquely satisfying sense of control and fluidity, giving the game a distinct edge over others in the genre.

Sung JinWoo Blocking with Perfect Timing

What makes the combat in Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE so satisfying?
During battles, weaker monsters attack in swarms, overwhelming Sung JinWoo with sheer numbers, while boss-level enemies, though singular, challenge him with powerful attacks and complex patterns.

By skillfully timing blocks and dodges, players can seize control of the fight. 

The flow and outcome of each battle shifts depending on how well the player masters these mechanics, making every encounter feel dynamic and engaging.

Activate a QTE skill to instantly dash in and strike the enemy

If you dodge or block an enemy’s attack at just the right moment, you can trigger extreme evasion or a parry. When this happens, a QTE skill becomes available for an immediate counterattack. The thrill of successfully dodging or parrying Cerberus's lunge and then instantly teleporting behind it with the QTE Whirlstrike to deliver a swift kick is indescribable.

Another highlight is the variety of weapons. JinWoo can wield seven different types, including the dagger he favors in the original story, as well as swords, bows, guns, magic, and two-handed weapons.  Each weapon comes with unique motions and skills, and during combat, you can switch between two weapons in real time.

Players can experiment to find weapons that suit their playstyle or discover combinations that create powerful synergies.  Personally, I preferred using glaives, spears, or scythes for close combat, then switching to bows or guns to maintain distance and strike quickly.

Transform into the Mighty Shadow Monarch 
and Enjoy Even More Powerful Action

Later in the story, Sung JinWoo awakens to the power of the Shadow Monarch. During combat, players can fill the EX Gauge and transform into the Shadow Monarch to fight. In this form, Sung JinWoo exudes charisma and sheer force, not only in his appearance but also through dynamic action sequences. 

His combat abilities are greatly enhanced, allowing him to dominate the monsters with overwhelming power.

Build Your Own Sung JinWoo Through Skill Management

As with any RPG, character progression plays a key role in combat. This system is designed to be highly engaging.
As Sung JinWoo levels up, players can enhance his stats, such as Strength, Vitality, and Agility, and more according to their preferred playstyle. Additionally, the skill tree allows players to unlock a wide variety of skills using skill points. The choices can vary greatly depending on your combat style and the weapons you favor. Through this process, players can enjoy the satisfaction of gradually shaping their very own version of Sung JinWoo.

Team Up to Take Down Powerful Enemies for Even Greater Fun

All combat content in Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE supports multiplayer.
Players can team up with up to four people to tackle dungeons together.

Not only can you challenge powerful monsters with others, but you can also get help clearing stages that might be too difficult alone. Especially fun is coordinating four Sung JinWoos, each wielding different weapons and styles, to take on enemies as a team.

Become Sung JinWoo in OVERDRIVE

Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE captures players’ attention with its high-quality cinematic storytelling, then keeps them engaged with combat built on carefully designed controls and character progression.

Although the game was released as a package title, the development team has committed to ongoing improvements based on player feedback.

With hopes for an even more enjoyable experience, fans can look forward to the console version, set to launch in 2026.