Project Rise Preview: Supercell's New Action RPG Breakdown

Project Rise First Look: Supercell's Mobile Action RPG

After six hours of exclusive pre-alpha gameplay with Supercell's Project Rise, I'm sharing comprehensive insights about this promising action RPG. As an 8-year Supercell Creator with deep genre expertise, I'll break down core mechanics, class systems, and strategic considerations. While this is early development (pre-alpha), the foundation shows significant potential for mobile ARPG enthusiasts seeking quick-session gameplay with depth.

Character Classes and Combat Mechanics

Project Rise features distinct classes with unique skill combinations. Each hero has a primary attack, hold-attack variation, main skill, and subskill:

Barbarian

Primary: Sword swipe combo
Hold-attack: Ground stomp (AoE damage)
Main skill: Charge attack with knockback
Subskill: Short-range dash with stun

Valkyrie

Primary: Three-hit combo (final spin attack)
Hold-attack: Thrown axe (linear projectile)
Main skill: 360-degree spin attack
Subskill: Jumping evasion with damage

Archer

Primary: Single arrow shot
Hold-attack: Piercing heavy arrow
Main skill: Triple arrow volley
Subskill: Evade that marks enemies (increases crit chance)

Fisherman

Primary: Three-hit fish slap
Hold-attack: Anchor pull (groups enemies)
Main skill: Wave knockback
Subskill: Surfing dash (movement + damage)

Firecracker (Recommended Ranged)

Primary: Single rocket
Hold-attack: Explosive AoE rocket
Main skill: Timed firework bomb
Subskill: Long flipping evade with rocket damage

Class Selection Tip: Melee enthusiasts should prioritize the Fisherman for superior crowd control, while ranged players will find the Firecracker's mobility and area damage exceptionally rewarding.

Core Tower Progression System

Project Rise uses a tower-based progression where each floor represents a 2-5 minute dungeon run:

Key Mechanics

Perk System: Collectible upgrades that persist between floors. Perks have three ranks and enable build customization (e.g., crit damage boosts, health increases). Teams strategically select perks via a "heart" tagging system.
Crystals: Temporary resources collected per floor. Spend at wishing wells for floor-specific buffs or perk upgrades before facing bosses.
Potions: Floor-limited consumables for attack, health, speed, or critical hit enhancement.
Resurrection Feathers: Shared team resources (3 total) for revives. Find extras hidden in destructible environments.

Progression Challenge: Currently, team failure resets progress to Tower Level 1. This risks player burnout at higher levels - a mercy system (e.g., reset to nearest checkpoint) would improve retention.

Multiplayer Dynamics and Social Features

Project Rise requires three-player co-op with unique class requirements:

Teamplay Essentials

Shared resurrection feathers create dependency
Crystal collection efficiency demands coordination
Perk selection benefits from role awareness

Social Gap: The pre-alpha lacks communication tools. Implementing quick-chat commands, emote systems, or ping mechanics would significantly enhance the cooperative experience. Supercell's history with social features suggests this will likely evolve.

Pre-Alpha Assessment and Future Outlook

Based on extensive ARPG experience, Project Rise shows exceptional promise despite its early state:

Current Strengths

Intuitive mobile controls with tactile skill feedback
Successful "Supercell-ification" of ARPG mechanics (short sessions, clear progression)
High-quality environmental design and destructible elements
Effective perk system enabling diverse builds
Thematically appropriate sound design

Development Opportunities

Boss diversity beyond placeholder Mega Knight encounters
Communication system implementation
Progression checkpoint system for failed runs
Multi-class accounts for varied play experiences
Expanded endgame systems (competitive modes, larger raids)

Industry Perspective: Project Rise could pioneer mobile ARPG esports with its co-op foundation. Supercell's live-ops expertise positions it well for seasonal content, cosmetic systems, and potential battle passes - though these remain unconfirmed.

Actionable Project Rise Checklist

Experiment with all classes during early access to identify your playstyle fit
Prioritize crystal collection each floor for wishing well enhancements
Coordinate perk selection using the heart system when playing with friends
Preserve resurrection feathers by reviving teammates manually
Follow official channels for upcoming beta test announcements

Supercell's venture into action RPGs demonstrates exciting innovation for mobile gaming. What class archetype are you most excited to try? Share your preferred playstyle in the comments!