The first banner character for Netmarble’s upcoming action RPG 'Monster Taming: Star Dive', arriving on April 15, has been unveiled. It is 'Esde', the former knight captain turned maid who captured hearts with her unexpected charm during testing. Alongside her arrival, an event exploring her hidden backstory will also launch.

Netmarble shared the news on the evening of the 8th at 6 PM via the official 'Monster Taming: Star Dive' YouTube channel. Netmarble Monster PD Lee Dong-jo and Netmarble Business Division Director Kang Dong-ki walked viewers through the world-building, character rosters, combat systems, and plans for post-launch on-and-offline events.

'Monster Taming: Star Dive' serves as the official successor to 'Monster Taming', the title that spearheaded the mass adoption of mobile collectable RPGs back in 2013. It merges the familiar joy of collecting and raising monsters with subculture elements—focusing on forming bonds with characters who each boast distinct personalities and skills—all tied together with a real-time, tag-based three-party combat system.

In the world of subculture gaming, nothing matters more than characters players feel compelled to adore. PD Lee Dong-jo noted, "Graphics are paramount for character implementation. We need to present our roster beautifully. By utilising Unreal Engine 5 for 3D rendering, we aim to bring these characters and their world to life, delivering an experience that feels like watching an animated feature."

The game features a diverse cast. Leading the charge are Verna and Cloud. Verna is a fire-wielding girl bursting with a sense of justice, while Cloud is a boy consumed by curiosity about monsters. Verna operates as a melee specialist, with Cloud handling ranged duties.

Beyond the leads, you will encounter many others. 'Mina', a Gumiho girl who serves the God of Fate, utilises fire-based skills and can even summon clones. These clones shadow her for a set duration, mimicking her abilities to overwhelm enemies.

Also introduced was 'Esde', a former knight captain now working at the Clover Inn. She wields a broom concealing a blade, and her ultimate move, 'The Human Weapon of the Maid and Clover Inn', cuts through foes in the blink of an eye.

Esde will be the game's debut pick-up character. The 'pity' system guarantees a character pull at 90 attempts, with increased odds starting from the 76th pull. Each time you acquire Esde, you receive a 'Compass of Memories' until maximum awakening is reached. The 'Welcome to the Maid and Clover' event, running at launch, lets you dive into Esde’s secret stories while earning 3D cutscene live backgrounds and growth materials from the event shop.

An immersive world and narrative are vital. 'Monster Taming: Star Dive' is set in 'Belana', a land shared by monsters, humans, and various demi-humans. The map spans from the central continent where the protagonists begin their journey to the Far East continent, home to the eastern nation of 'Baek-ah'. The story focuses on how these characters interact, their emotions, and how they pursue their goals.

Combat relies on a three-character tag system, where you swap members in real-time. Building a team requires considering elements like fire or wind, as well as roles like brawler or assassin. For instance, 'Destruction' role characters make it easier to 'groggy' enemies, giving you an edge in boss fights.

Alongside standard combat, end-game content like 'Dimensional Rifts' and 'Subjugation' raids against story bosses will be available. You control one of the three characters directly, and mastering timely tags is crucial. You will also need to utilize mechanics like 'Groggy' to bind enemies and 'Burst' to focus your attack power.

The 'Monster Taming' system is also key. Defeating monsters gives you a chance to capture them. They can be summoned during battle or equipped to characters to provide stat boosts. These 'Monster Rings' offer diverse options, and some activate 'Link Chains' under specific conditions for unique effects.

The first post-launch update will introduce the legendary monster 'Reginula'. PD Lee Dong-jo stated, "Legendary monsters represent the ultimate goal of monster taming, and we are preparing a more intense, dynamic combat experience than ever before. We will provide unique fun with abilities and appearances that set them apart from standard monsters." Furthermore, Episode 6, which delves deeper into the Far East region, is slated for May. Finally, the team is collaborating with partners for PS5 and Xbox releases.

Offline events are also on the horizon. A press conference is set for Thailand on April 9, followed by a live broadcast on April 13 featuring Japanese voice actors and influencers. Post-launch, the team plans to host pop-up stores, event zones, and merchandise events in Korea, with collaboration cafes also operating in Taiwan. Netmarble Business Division Director Kang Dong-ki added, "We are preparing various events and special programs all around the world."

'Monster Taming: Star Dive' will be released for PC and mobile on April 15. PD Lee Dong-jo concluded, "We will do our utmost until launch to deliver a fresh experience while keeping the core fun of the original Mongil alive. We ask for your continued support and anticipation for the new adventure that begins soon."