Summary
- South Korea produces top-rated games in various genres, with MMORPGs like Lost Ark being standout successes globally.
- DNF Duel and The Last Beserker: Khazan are part of the long-running Dungeon & Fighter series.
- Lies of P and Stellar Blade provide some excellent combat and striking visual styles.
Video games have been very popular in South Korea since the 1970s, with Korean companies even getting involved in developing their own arcade games to critical acclaim, such as Air Buster, Hard Head, and Pollux. In more recent decades, developers have primarily focused on MMORPGs, many of which are incredibly popular in East Asia, including Lineage 2 and Cabal Online, which are still going strong after two decades on the market.
Best Games Made By Development Studios Based In Finland
Don't let its size fool you—Finland has quite a few gaming successes under its belt thanks to these development studios and their releases.
Like most countries, it's not all arcades and online multiplayer experiences, with some of the finest games across all genres coming from the peninsula, and a few indie gems too. These are some of the best games developed in South Korea, ranked based on a combination of their overall popularity and quality.
10 DNF Duel
Solid & Accessible Fighting Game
DNF Duel
- Released
- June 28, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Arc System Works, Eighting, Neople
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Part of the long-running Dungeon & Fighters series of games, DNF Duel is among the best fighting games available on modern hardware. A 2.5D one-on-one fighting game, it is highly accessible to new players with simplified controls that can also appeal to more hardcore fighting game aficionados, rewarding those who master it.
The base game features 15 playable characters, plus the Lost Warrior, who can be unlocked by beating the story mode, and there are five combatants available as DLC. The story is serviceable, but the main selling points are the stunning visuals, fast-paced action, and the distinctive roster of fighters.
DNF Duel was co-developed by companies based in both Japan and South Korea.
9 Lobotomy Corporation
Horror-Themed Roguelike Management Simulation
Lobotomy Corporation | Monster Management Simulation
- Released
- April 9, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Management, Simulation, Psychological
- Platform(s)
- PC
Set in a futuristic dystopian society inspired by Lovecraftian horror, Lobotomy Corporation is a game that wears many hats. Playing as the manager of the eponymous organization, the main goal is to order employees to harvest energy from monsters, known as "Abnormalities" in the game, meeting a sufficient quota each day.
New employees can be hired as the facilities expand, though each Anomaly must be handled in its unique way, since they do not enjoy being locked in containment fields and can wreak havoc if they escape. The disturbing story is fairly deep and plays out in visual novel form, usually appearing at the end of another day of monster management.
8 Lost Ark
Popular MMORPG With Excellent Combat
Lost Ark
- Released
- December 4, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
One of South Korea's many MMORPGs, Lost Ark is incredibly popular on both Eastern and Western shores, often ranking among the most played games on Steam. A PvE game with elements of PvP, it features multiple classes and advanced classes for players to select and develop, with constant updates providing additional options regularly.
One of the crowning features of the game is its combat, which emphasizes combos and provides some very satisfying animations when sweeping foes aside. The deep skill tree and variations in classes allow for high levels of player freedom when it comes to finding a combat style that suits their personal tastes.
7 Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders
Classic Xbox Tactical Wargame
- Platforms: PC, Xbox
- Released: 2004-10-12
- Developer: Phantagram
- Genre: Hack and slash, real-time strategy
Initially an exclusive title on the original Xbox, Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders possesses very similar gameplay to the Dynasty Warriors series, but with RTS and role-playing elements. Set in the high-fantasy Kingdom of Bersia, and with an iconic heavy metal soundtrack, this cult classic is a deep and tactical wargame.
The main character can be used to charge into battle, hacking and slashing through hordes of soldiers like a musou game, but other units can be commanded and controlled via the minimap or on a large battlefield overview in real time. 2020 PC ports allow players to enjoy some of the Kingdom Under Fire games all over again, but with some quality-of-life improvements for modern sensibilities.
6 Stellar Blade
High-Octane Action Game With Thrilling Boss Battles
Stellar Blade
- Released
- April 26, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
Despite the discourse surrounding the revealing costumes and seemingly suggestive nature of the protagonist Eve, Stellar Blade contains a captivating narrative and some excellent, high-octane combat. Set in a post-apocalyptic future where humans have been banished from Earth by monstrosities known as the Naytibas, Eve must assemble her squad to reclaim their home planet.
Enemy designs are some of the best in video games, not only in terms of appearance but also in their attack patterns and the precise timing required to defeat them. At the Korean Game Awards in 2024, Stellar Blade achieved a clean sweep, earning seven award wins.
5 The First Berserker: Khazan
Fast-Paced Soulslike Action
The First Berserker: Khazan
- Released
- March 27, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Neople
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Set in the same universe as the Dungeon & Fighter series, The First Berserker: Khazan is an action role-playing game with combat akin to that of the Souls series. The titular Khazan was a general of the Pell Los Empire, but has been exiled and branded a traitor, so he seeks to clear his name and exact revenge against those who wronged him.
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Gameplay is based around a mission structure, and each level culminates in a battle with one of the formidable bosses. As a soulslike, falling in battle is inevitable, so mastering the high-speed combat system, managing Khazan's stamina, and capitalizing when enemies have low stamina themselves are critical to success.
4 DJMax Respect V
Rhythm Game With Plenty Of Game Modes & Online Functionality
DJMax Respect V
- Released
- March 11, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Part of the DJMax rhythm game series that largely found success domestically on handheld consoles, DJ Max Respect found global success on the PlayStation 4 and was later ported to PC and Xbox with the V release. There are hundreds of tracks to test those rhythmic abilities across multiple game modes, from arcade and freestyle to competitive online battles.
The V port even features extra songs and game modes for players to sink their teeth into. A diverse array of genres and plenty of renowned artists are featured in the track listings, so anyone who is a fan of rhythm games should find something that they can enjoy about DJMax Respect.
3 Lies Of P
Pinocchio, But A Soulslike Game
Lies of P
- Released
- September 19, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Round8 Studio, Neowiz
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Everybody knows the story of the puppet Pinocchio, but it is reimagined into a grim tale in the soulslike Lies of P. Combat is a tough prospect, but it is well-balanced and fair, rewarding those who learn its intricacies and make good choices when combining their skill tree upgrades with corresponding equipment.
The city of Krat is twisted by the uprising of puppets and the spread of a petrification disease plaguing its citizens. When not engaging in conflict with the various horrors that lurk in Krat, P must make choices when encountering various NPCs, deciding whether to tell the truth or lie, and this impacts the story going forward.
2 PUBG: Battlegrounds
Thrilling Battle Royale That Popularized The Genre
PUBG: Battlegrounds
- Released
- March 23, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- PUBG Corporation
- Genre(s)
- Battle Royale
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, Android, iOS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Originally conceived by Brendan Greene, an Irish game developer who is better known as PlayerUnknown, South Korean company Krafton invited him to join their team and develop PUBG: Battlegrounds. Though it was not the first battle royale game on the market, it was arguably the title that popularized the genre.
10 Best Open-World Maps In Multiplayer Games, Ranked
Gather some friends and get ready to explore the boundless freedom of these multiplayer gaming maps.
The gameplay loop is simple: dropping onto an island with an ever-decreasing safe zone and being the last person or team to survive, which often leads to thrilling shootouts with rival players. Sadly, there have been issues with cheaters since the game's inception, but the developers are constantly implementing new measures to combat this, and the game remains easy to pick up but very difficult to put down.
1 Dave The Diver
Explore The Ocean & Manage A Restaurant
Dave the Diver
- Released
- June 28, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Blood
- Developer(s)
- Mintrocket
- Genre(s)
- Simulation, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Taking inspiration from a restaurant owner in Jeju Island, Dave the Diver is a hit indie game where players control the eponymous Dave as he catches fish to serve in his sushi restaurant in the evening. The Blue Hole is a deep ocean brimming with mysteries, and Dave can unlock new tools to assist in his exploration later in the game, bringing home more exotic treasures each time.
The wacky characters make each night managing the restaurant just as much of an adventure as searching the ocean for its secrets. Overall, it is a wholesome and unique experience with an unconventional narrative and satisfying gameplay loop.
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In recent years, a few games developed by Chinese developers have garnered worldwide attention. Let's take a look at the best releases.