After one of the well-liked closed beta intervals in cell gaming historical past, Solo Leveling: ARISE is lastly out worldwide. Primarily based on the beloved manga-turned-anime, this expansive cell recreation takes the 3D motion system of Tower of Fantasy and Honkai Star Rail and provides its personal monster-slaying spin.
As somebody who hardly ever performs cell motion video games of this nature, I used to be impressed by simply how good the sport seems. Whereas Solo Leveling: ARISE isn’t a correct open-world expertise, the small fight arenas and hub worlds you discover are lavishly detailed in 3D and stand a step above what most cell video games can supply. The cel-shaded designs are timeless and go well with cell shows effectively, and whereas the artwork type isn’t particularly near the manga or anime, it’s precisely the way you’d need a Solo Leveling recreation to look.
You play as franchise protagonist Sung Jinwoo, in a narrative that mixes current beats from the manga and new narratives sprinkled in as facet quests. The primary few sections of the sport are very exposition-heavy, as is the case with a whole lot of cell video games. There’s not too a lot gameplay, however a a lot keener concentrate on feeding you the essential narrative setup and an explainer of the primary mechanics.
For players accustomed to cell motion video games of this nature it’ll be par for the course, however some could discover the in depth hand-holding to be fairly jarring. Particularly in case you aren’t already engrained in Solo Leveling’s lore and characters, you might end up itching to dive into the motion early on.
Whereas the fight isn’t essentially the most intricate I’ve seen in a cell recreation, it’s actually pleasurable. More often than not you’ll be able to simply faucet Jinwoo’s primary assault enter, however as you defeat enemies you unlock finisher strikes, sprint assaults, and particular strikes carried out by your allies.
![Sung Jinwoo in Solo Leveling Arise.](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/solo-leveling-arise-review-2.jpg?resize=991%2C557)
That stated, it’s pitifully straightforward for the primary few chapters, with even end-of-level bosses offering little problem – particularly when you get the power to improve your stats, weapons, and allies. Because the fight doesn’t quantity to rather more than spamming the primary assault button and sporadically hitting particular strikes as soon as they energy up, it could actually make that early grind fairly senseless. After these opening sections it does ramp up, although, so hardcore gamers will discover loads of longevity right here.
Regardless of these qualms, I’m floored by how polished the sport seems on a visible stage, and I applaud its eager concentrate on storytelling. Most video games like Solo Leveling: ARISE don’t place the narrative and characters at its forefront, so it’s refreshing to see that be such a spotlight right here.
Regardless of this, the general package deal is loads much less polished and seamless than the open-world whimsy of Genshin Impression or Honkai Star Rail, making it fairly a tough promote for these not already invested on this planet of Solo Leveling. There’s positively promise in Solo Leveling: ARISE, however it might be a troublesome promote for newcomers at launch.