10 Tower Climbing Manhwa That Rival Solo Leveling

Introduction

Imagine waking up one day and realizing the world around you now follows the rules of a game—levels, skills, dungeons, and towers rising into the sky, challenging humanity to climb or perish. This is the essence of tower-climbing manhwa, a genre that has captured the hearts of readers worldwide with its thrilling mix of action, strategy, and relentless growth.

While Solo Leveling set the gold standard for this genre, it isn’t the only masterpiece out there. Many other manhwa offer equally intense battles, mind-blowing world-building, and protagonists who refuse to stay weak. If you’re searching for something just as epic, this list is your next adventure.

Let’s start with one of the best contenders:

“What if the world turned into the very novel you once read—and you were the only one who knew how it would end?”

Kim Dokja was just an ordinary office worker, someone who found solace in reading a web novel called Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse. The story had been running for ten years, and he was its only dedicated reader. But on the day he finished the final chapter, the novel became reality. Monsters appeared, people were thrown into brutal survival games, and the world itself transformed into a series of deadly “scenarios”.

Unlike others who are struggling to understand what’s happening, Kim Dokja already knows how this world operates. After all, he’s read the novel from start to finish. But knowing the future doesn’t mean things will go as expected. With unpredictable twists, powerful enemies, and a story that changes before his eyes, he must use his knowledge to survive—or die trying.

🔹 Why It Rivals Solo Leveling

• A brilliant protagonist who wins with intelligence rather than brute strength.
• A complex world where survival depends on wit, alliances, and decision-making.
• Unexpected twists that keep you on edge, never letting you feel comfortable.

If you love the idea of seeing a reader become a player in his own favorite story, this manhwa is a must-read.

“What if you were the last one left climbing the tower?”

When monstrous towers appeared across the world, humanity was given an ultimatum: climb or perish. Those who entered these mysterious towers became “Walkers”, tasked with clearing deadly floors filled with creatures beyond imagination. But when the system introduced a Regression Stone—an item that allowed players to turn back time—most abandoned their journey, hoping to restart under better circumstances.

But not Jeongwoo.

He was the last Walker, the only one who refused to abandon the tower. While others reset their past, he pushed forward alone, facing horrors no one else dared to. But what happens when he reaches the top—only to realize the true nature of the world?

🔹 Why It Rivals Solo Leveling

• A lone survivor’s journey filled with mystery and psychological depth.
• Dark, atmospheric storytelling that keeps you questioning reality.
• Epic battles where pure skill and determination decide everything.

If you love intense world-building, an unpredictable plot, and a protagonist who doesn’t play by the rules, The World After the Fall is a must-read.

What if you had a chance to climb the tower… not once, but twice?”

Yeon-woo’s twin brother vanished years ago, only for him to receive a cryptic message: “If you’re reading this, I’m already dead.” His brother had climbed the mysterious Obelisk, the Tower of the Sun God, but never returned. Determined to uncover the truth and avenge his fallen sibling, Yeon-woo decides to climb the tower himself.

But this isn’t a fresh start—it’s a second chance. His brother left behind a diary filled with secrets, strategies, and hidden truths about the tower. Armed with knowledge that no other player possesses, Yeon-woo begins his journey, ready to conquer the trials, outplay his enemies, and claim the power his brother could not.

🔹 Why It Rivals Solo Leveling

• A revenge-driven story with an emotional core.
• A genius protagonist who outsmarts his enemies using hidden knowledge.
• Tower trials that test both skill and strategy, making every battle feel earned.

If you love tower-climbing stories where every move is calculated, and the protagonist wields knowledge like a weapon, Ranker Who Lives A Second Time is your next obsession.

“Dying isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning.”

In a world where tower trials determine power and survival, Kim Gong-ja is just another weak, ordinary hunter. He dreams of being a legendary hero, but reality is cruel—he’s stuck at the bottom, ignored and powerless. That is, until he gains a terrifying ability:

He can steal the skills of the strongest players… by dying.

With this newfound power, Kim Gong-ja begins a brutal cycle of death and resurrection, reliving the same events over and over until he finds the perfect way to overcome them. Every death makes him stronger, every failure a lesson. But as he rises through the ranks, he discovers that power comes at a cost—and the truth behind the tower is far more sinister than he ever imagined.

🔹 Why It Rivals Solo Leveling

• A unique protagonist who grows through trial and error—literally.
• Unpredictable twists and psychological depth that keep you hooked.
• A mix of humor, intense action, and emotional moments, making every chapter unforgettable.

If you love stories where the hero refuses to stay dead and fights fate itself, SSS-Class Revival Hunter will keep you on the edge of your seat.

“What if the only way to find the person you love… was to climb a tower full of gods and monsters?”

For as long as he can remember, Bam has lived in darkness, knowing only one person—Rachel. She was his light, his reason for existing. But one day, she vanishes into the legendary Tower, a structure said to grant any wish to those who reach the top. Desperate to find her, Bam enters the Tower himself, only to discover that climbing isn’t just a test of strength—it’s a battle of wits, alliances, and survival.

Inside, he faces ruthless competitors, godlike beings, and impossible challenges, each more dangerous than the last. But as he ascends, Bam begins to realize that he is different from the others. He holds a mysterious power that shouldn’t exist, and the deeper he climbs, the closer he gets to uncovering the Tower’s darkest secrets.

🔹 Why It Rivals Solo Leveling

• Deep, layered storytelling with an ever-expanding world.
• Mind-blowing battles and strategic fights where power isn’t everything.
• A vast cast of compelling characters, each with their own motives and backstories.

If you love intricate world-building, unpredictable twists, and a protagonist with hidden potential, Tower of God is a must-read masterpiece.

“What if you were chosen as a player… but could never grow stronger?”

When Kim Gi-Gyu awakens as a Player, he believes his life is about to change. In a world where people gain skills and climb the Tower, he expects to rise to the top like the legendary hunters before him. But there’s a problem—no matter how hard he fights, he can’t level up.

For five years, he remains stuck at Level 1, mocked by those around him. But then, he discovers a hidden power—one that doesn’t rely on leveling up in the traditional way. As he unlocks the secrets behind his mysterious abilities, he realizes that his path is different, far more dangerous… and possibly stronger than any high-ranking Player.

🔹 Why It Rivals Solo Leveling

• A fresh take on the power system, making every victory feel earned.
• A determined protagonist who refuses to accept fate.
• An unfolding mystery that keeps you guessing about his true potential.

If you love underdog stories where intelligence and perseverance matter more than raw strength, The Player That Can’t Level Up is the perfect read.

“When the game is supposed to restart… but you’re left behind.”

Jung Da-Woon was an ordinary guy thrown into a deadly survival game, trapped in a dungeon filled with monsters, traps, and challenges. Like everyone else, he was meant to die and respawn, following the game’s brutal cycle. But something went wrong. The system glitched… and Da-Woon didn’t reset.

Now, he’s stuck in the dungeon alone, but with a major advantage—his progress remains while others start over. He builds, crafts, and innovates, using the dungeon’s mechanics to grow stronger in ways no one else can. While others fight blindly, Da-Woon outsmarts the system itself, turning the dungeon into his personal playground.

🔹 Why It Rivals Solo Leveling

• A mix of survival, humor, and creativity, making it unique among tower-climbing stories.
• A protagonist who wins through intelligence, not just brute force.
• An ever-evolving world that keeps surprising both Da-Woon and the readers.

If you love clever protagonists, survival strategies, and unexpected humor, Dungeon Reset is a refreshing twist on the genre.

“What if you were trapped in the tutorial… for 12 years?”

For most Players, the Tutorial Tower is just the starting point—a place to train, level up, and prepare for the real challenges ahead. But for Hyeonu Kim, it became a prison. Stuck inside for 12 long years, he fought wave after wave of monsters, growing stronger than anyone could imagine. And then, one day—he was finally set free.

Now, with overpowered abilities and years of combat experience, Hyeonu steps into the outside world. But the world has changed, and so have the Players. As he unravels the mysteries behind his imprisonment, he sets out to crush anyone who stands in his way—be they monsters, hunters, or the ones who trapped him.

🔹 Why It Rivals Solo Leveling

• An overpowered protagonist with a sharp sense of humor and zero patience for nonsense.
• Fast-paced action and satisfying battles that keep you hooked.
• A mystery-driven plot that keeps you invested beyond just the fights.

If you love OP main characters, revenge-driven stories, and high-energy combat, The Advanced Player of the Tutorial Tower is a wild ride from start to finish.

“When revenge is the only path forward.”

In a world where dungeons and monsters threaten humanity, Players rise to power under the leadership of the greatest hero, Sejun Lee. But for Kim Woo-Jin, that hero is nothing more than a traitor. After devoting his life to fighting alongside Sejun, Woo-Jin is betrayed and left to die.

But fate isn’t done with him yet. He gets a second chance. Reincarnated back to the past, Woo-Jin now knows the truth—Sejun isn’t a savior, but a ruthless manipulator hiding behind the title of hero. This time, Woo-Jin will climb to the top not to save the world, but to kill the hero.

🔹 Why It Rivals Solo Leveling

• A revenge-driven story with high stakes and intense battles.
• A cunning protagonist who uses strategy, not just brute force.
• Twists and betrayals that make every chapter unpredictable.

If you love dark, revenge-fueled stories with a mastermind protagonist, Kill the Hero delivers a thrilling and satisfying ride.

“When the system is broken, so are the limits.”

For Kang Hyeon-Woo, the Tower was meant to be a challenge—a place where warriors train, grow stronger, and return. But something went horribly wrong. While others cleared their trials and left, he was trapped inside for 3000 years.

Time warped his body and mind. He fought, survived, and evolved, pushing past every limit imaginable. And when he finally escaped, the world had moved on without him. But he’s not just another hunter anymore—he’s something far beyond that. Now, he must navigate a society that no longer remembers him, while wielding a power no one understands.

🔹 Why It Rivals Solo Leveling

• A protagonist who defies every rule of the system through sheer will.
• Mind-blowing action sequences that push power scaling to the extreme.
• A mix of survival, mystery, and adaptation as Hyeon-Woo reclaims his place in the world.

If you love overpowered protagonists, second-chance stories, and relentless action, Limit Breaker is an intense and exhilarating read.