Solo Leveling:ARISE Preview: "Surprisingly Deep Tactical Options"

is a mobile action RPG developed by Netmarble for iOS & Android mobile devices, alongside PC. It's a pretty standard mobile title that features a lot of the elements that veterans of the platform will be familiar with, right down to a cluttered UI and the gacha unit pulls that have made this particular genre so infamous. With a lot of reverence paid to its source material and some surprisingly deep tactical options, however, there's a chance can make good on the promise of its explosive IP and deliver some fun.

, the immensely popular Webtoon-turned-anime, follows hunter Sung Jinwoo as he is gifted an opportunity to escape his designation as «the weakest hunter of all mankind» and become a player in his world's global politics, power struggles, and the defense of humanity from external threats. In this world, some humans have awoken to abilities as «hunters» who then go through gates into dungeons to slay monsters, both to close those gates before disaster occurs and to extract expensive, society-altering materials. It's a unique setup that goes on to deliver some great story beats, and starts at the very beginning.

One thing that's immediately interesting about is that it unabashedly targets a demographic of players already familiar with the IP in some way. While it's still accessible to those who have never read or watched, it's definitely a sub-optimal way to experience the story. The condensed narrative is excellent for a mobile game looking to avoid lengthy cutscenes and monologues, but does away with a lot of the context that makes the world of so compelling in its other forms.

In focusing on a more streamlined story, however, ensures its progression through its content is expedited and engaging. Players won't have to slog through dramatically long backstories to get to the action, but they'll be treated to Webtoon panels, voiceovers, and small 3D cutscenes every now and then to keep things interesting. This blend of storytelling devices works well for a