Solo Leveling has spent years building a reputation as one of the most popular webtoons in South Korea, and now the franchise is finally making the jump to games. Netmarble is developing Solo Leveling: Karma, an upcoming roguelite action-RPG, and it is scheduled to launch later this year on PC and mobile. The game marks a significant shift for the property, which began life as a fantasy web novel by Chugong and later became a global phenomenon through its anime television series adaptation.
The new game tells an untold story from the Solo Leveling universe, set in the Dimensional Gap. Players join Sung Jinwoo as he wages a 27-year war against the Monarchs, the powerful beings who tried to conquer Earth. According to the game’s lore, Jinwoo emerges victorious in that battle but loses many people he cares about along the way. He then uses the Cup of Reincarnation to turn back time to a point before the gates ever appeared.
The Cup Of Reincarnation And The Messengers Of The Itarim
The twist is that the time-travel device brings the mysterious Messengers of the Itarim and their creator before Jinwoo during his war within the dimensional gap. These messengers form a pact with him and lend him their power. Armed with these newfound abilities, Jinwoo cuts through the endless Denizens of Chaos.
But the conflict does not end there. As he presses forward, he comes face to face with an unexpected enemy.
Tokyo Game Show Preview
Although there is no official release date yet, fans can expect Solo Leveling: Karma to take center stage at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show, which begins on 17 September. At the event, attendees will see a brand-new trailer and a look at some in-game content. The show provides a platform for Netmarble to showcase the game’s visual style and mechanics.
For those who cannot attend in person, the trailer and gameplay reveal will likely be shared online shortly after the presentation. That means the game’s full scope should be visible to anyone following the franchise, regardless of location.
The Original Webtoon’s Legacy
The webtoon itself has a massive audience. With over 14.3 billion views on the original Solo Leveling webtoon, it has a dedicated fanbase. That fanbase is now being targeted directly with this new game, which features iconic characters such as Sung Jinwoo, Cha Hae-In, Go Gunhee, and Choi Jong-In.
The anime series adaptation, which aired back in 2024, helped expand the property’s reach beyond Korea. Now the franchise is moving even further into interactive entertainment, giving fans a new way to engage with the world of Jinwoo and the Monarchs.
The Other Games In The Franchise
Solo Leveling: Karma is not the only game in the franchise. An RPG titled Solo Leveling: Arise launched back in 2025, and it carries a ‘Mostly Positive’ rating on Steam. That suggests it is one of the more successful anime-inspired RPGs on the market.
The comparison is worth noting. Arise was an RPG, while Karma is a roguelite action-RPG. Both share the Solo Leveling name, but they offer distinctly different experiences.
| Game | Genre | Developer | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo Leveling: Arise | RPG | Not specified | PC, mobile |
| Solo Leveling: Karma | Roguelite action-RPG | Netmarble | PC, mobile |
The Film Arrives Next Year
There is another major entry in the franchise arriving soon. An all-new theatrical film titled Solo Leveling: Beyond the System is expected to arrive sometime next year. The film was announced back in July, and Crunchyroll has not announced a release date yet. Fans will have to wait for that update from Crunchyroll, but the movie is shaping up to be the next major entry in the Solo Leveling franchise.
The film follows the same pattern as the games: it extends the universe beyond the original webtoon and anime series. It gives fans a new way to experience Jinwoo’s adventures, this time on the big screen.
What We Know So Far
The key details are straightforward. Solo Leveling: Karma is a roguelite action-RPG developed by Netmarble. It is set to launch later this year on PC and mobile. The game is set in the Dimensional Gap, a location from the franchise’s lore. The story involves Jinwoo’s war against the Monarchs, the Cup of Reincarnation, and the Messengers of the Itarim.
The game’s release window is later this year, though the exact date remains unannounced. The Tokyo Game Show preview will provide the missing piece, but fans will have to wait until September to see it.
The Cup Of Reincarnation And The Messengers Of The Itarim
The Cup of Reincarnation is a clever nod to the source material. Turning back time is a common trope in fantasy, and using it as a plot device in a game adds a layer of mystique that suits the game’s story. The Messengers of the Itarim add another layer of mystique. Their role in the story is not fully explained, which leaves room for expansion.
The unexpected enemy mentioned in the lore is also intriguing. Jinwoo has defeated the Monarchs before, but a new threat emerging from within the dimensional gap suggests a conflict that goes beyond simple combat. It hints at a larger struggle for control over the space itself.
What Remains To Be Seen
The biggest question is the release date. The game is set to launch later this year, but an exact date has not been confirmed. The Tokyo Game Show preview will likely provide that information, but fans will have to wait until September to see it.
The game’s development status is also unclear. Netmarble has not announced a beta or a demo, so there is no hands-on footage available yet. The trailer at the Tokyo Game Show will be the first chance to see the game in motion.
The film’s release date is also pending. Crunchyroll has not announced a date for Solo Leveling: Beyond the System, so fans will have to wait for an update from the company. The movie is shaping up to be a major event, but its timing remains unknown.
The Future Of The Franchise
The franchise has come a long way since Chugong’s original webtoon. From the anime series to the games, the property has grown into a global phenomenon. Solo Leveling: Karma is the latest chapter in that story, and it promises to deliver a fresh perspective on Jinwoo’s adventures.
The game’s release later this year will be a significant moment for the franchise. It represents a new direction for the property, and it shows that the Solo Leveling brand is still evolving. The Cup of Reincarnation, the Messengers of the Itarim, and the Dimensional Gap are all part of that evolution, and they will shape the game’s final product.
The game is shaping up to be the ultimate video game experience for fans of the original webtoon and dedicated anime. We can only hope that it launches sooner rather than later.
See the video the story is built around at Screenrant.
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