Korean gamers turn to casual, easy-to-play RPGs

Soul Strike

With more South Korean users looking for casual games that are easy to play, idle role-playing games (RPGs) have emerged as an alternative to the mainstream massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs).

Unlike MMORPGs, which encourage users to spend money on the games to gain advantages over other players, idle RPGs are defined by easier control and rewards without much effort.

According to sources familiar with the game industry, Com2uS Holdings Corp. released its new title, “Soul Strike,” on Wednesday.

“This is an idle RPG that has recently emerged as a popular genre in the game market,” the company said. “It features virtual characters that make their own adventures by fighting monsters to get the items needed to grow.”

Idle RPGs are growing in popularity across the world, after “Mad Mushroom,” an RPG released by Chinese developer Joy Nice Games, hit the market in December 2023. The game now ranks as the best-selling app in both Android’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store.

“Seven Knights Idle Adventure,” an idle RPG developed by Netmarble Corp., has also been one of the best-selling apps over the past four months since its release in September 2023.

More similar RPGs are expected to be brought into the market later this year, including two by game developer WemadeConnect.

“Young gamers tend to prefer casual games that can be enjoyed without needing to play all day,” said an industry source.