Netmarble Unveils Fresh Gameplay for Roguelike Solo Leveling: KARMA at Anime Expo 2025

South Korean gaming giant Netmarble has brought an exciting new gameplay demonstration of its ambitious upcoming title Solo Leveling: KARMA to the Anime Expo 2025 festival, generating significant buzz among fans of the popular franchise. The presentation offered attendees and viewers around the world their most comprehensive look yet at the roguelike action game based on the phenomenally successful Korean web novel and manhwa series. This latest showcase represents a major step forward in the game’s development and has heightened anticipation for what promises to be one of the most significant gaming releases tied to the Solo Leveling intellectual property.

The Rise of Solo Leveling as a Global Phenomenon

Solo Leveling began as a Korean web novel written by Chugong, published between 2016 and 2018, before being adapted into a manhwa that ran from 2018 to 2021. The story follows Sung Jinwoo, initially the weakest hunter in a world where mysterious portals called gates connect Earth to dangerous dungeons filled with monsters. After a near-death experience in a double dungeon, Jinwoo gains access to a unique system that allows him to level up infinitely, transforming him from the weakest to potentially the strongest hunter alive. The series has captivated millions of readers worldwide with its compelling power fantasy narrative, stunning artwork, and intricate world-building. The anime adaptation, which premiered in January 2024 through A-1 Pictures and Crunchyroll, further catapulted the franchise into mainstream recognition, consistently ranking among the most-watched anime series globally during its broadcast run.

The franchise’s expansion into gaming was inevitable given its massive popularity and the inherently game-like mechanics embedded in its storytelling. The system that grants Sung Jinwoo his powers operates similarly to video game mechanics, complete with quests, experience points, levels, and inventory management. This natural synergy between the source material and interactive entertainment has made Solo Leveling an attractive property for game developers seeking to capture the essence of its appeal in playable form.

Netmarble’s Vision for KARMA

Solo Leveling: KARMA represents Netmarble’s attempt to translate the intense action and progression systems of the original series into a roguelike format. The roguelike genre, characterized by procedurally generated levels, permadeath mechanics, and incremental progression across runs, has experienced a renaissance in recent years with critically acclaimed titles like Hades, Dead Cells, and Returnal demonstrating the format’s potential for compelling gameplay loops. By choosing this genre for KARMA, Netmarble appears to be targeting both the dedicated Solo Leveling fanbase and the broader audience of roguelike enthusiasts.

The gameplay demonstration at Anime Expo showcased fluid combat mechanics, atmospheric dungeon environments reminiscent of the gates from the series, and what appears to be a deep progression system that mirrors Jinwoo’s journey of continuous improvement. Attendees reported that the game features fast-paced action with satisfying combat animations, multiple playable characters or builds, and the signature shadow soldier summoning abilities that define Sung Jinwoo’s fighting style in the source material. The visual presentation drew particular praise, with the game capturing the distinctive art style of the manhwa while adapting it for real-time action gameplay.

Netmarble’s Track Record and Industry Context

Netmarble has established itself as one of Asia’s most prominent game publishers, with a portfolio that includes successful mobile titles like Lineage 2: Revolution, Marvel Contest of Champions, and The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross. The company has demonstrated particular expertise in adapting popular intellectual properties into engaging gaming experiences, making them a natural partner for the Solo Leveling franchise. However, the company has also faced criticism in the past for aggressive monetization strategies in some of its free-to-play titles, leading fans to watch carefully how KARMA will handle its business model.

The timing of this reveal at Anime Expo is strategically significant, as the convention represents one of the largest gatherings of anime and gaming enthusiasts in North America. With the Solo Leveling anime continuing to build momentum and a second season already confirmed, Netmarble’s KARMA arrives at an optimal moment to capitalize on the franchise’s growing Western audience while maintaining its core appeal to Asian markets where the series originated.