Torchlight II Reviews

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Written by WorstUsernameEver on September 25th, 2012

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Torchlight II doesn't do anything radically new, but does everything incredibly well. It fits all the pieces of varied monster behavior, interesting items, excellent skill design and random surprises together into a near-perfect formula, where the action never stops and rewards are never far away. Every level up, skill boost and item replacement flirts with a sense of invulnerability in a world obsessed with killing you, demanding continued play by teasing eventual omnipotence. The story and characters aren't particularly memorable, but that hardly hurts the strength of Runic's focused design in what's one of the finest loot-driven action-RPGs available.

Torchlight II's status as the conservative underdog is the source of both its most impressive successes and its most visible limitations. It's tempting to wonder what this chamber orchestra could do with the resources afforded Blizzard's full-blown philharmonic: at the same time, there are moments when Runic's devotion to the genre's past which, admittedly, they helped to shape holds the game back. It's a charming, sunshine-bright indie action-RPG with an old-school disregard for your time. It'll consume you with a smile, and you'll be smiling, too: but it's down to the community to turn it into something special.

Torchlight II is undoubtedly worth the $20 price, and it's high on replay value with new classes to discover. The problems it does have are mostly minor, but it's not for gamers looking for an involved story. And in some places, it could use a little more depth.

Two big draws are definitely the affordable price and flexible multiplayer options, and the game also earns its place among the other top action-RPGs of the year. It's well made and fun.just not revolutionary.

Torchlight II was originally poised to supersede Diablo III by a season or more. And then it was delayed, so that now it's in the some might say unenviable position of having to go after Blizzard's 800-pound, demon-tailed gorilla. That makes its timing either good or bad, depending how hack-and-slashed-out you are.

The upside? Blizzard still wants $60 for Diablo III, where Runic's asking just $20 for a no less polished action roleplaying game, with at least as much content.

If you're a fan of hack 'n slashes, loot fests, or dungeon crawlers, definitely pick up Torchlight II. It's absolutely worth your time and money, and should hold your attention for quite a while. There are portions of the game that could certainly use a little bit of polish, but it's unlikely these problems will turn you off from the game entirely. Grab the game, grab some friends, and get to clicking.

Did I mention it's only $20?

Torchlight II is everything you could want from a loot-driven RPG; an emphatic marriage of style, substance, compulsion and proper, undeniable fun. Runic Games have given players everything they could want and more, and a gameplay experience that approaches perfection if you've even the slightest interest in the genre.

Considering the unbelievably generous price, longevity and inevitable slew of fan-created content, you absolutely cannot afford to miss this one.

Unfortunately developer Runic Games has downplayed the chances of a console version, even though there was an Xbox Live Arcade port of the original. The added complexities of Torchlight II apparently make it a far more complex proposition, and Runic seem to be implying that it wouldn't be cost effective.

We hope they find a way though because this is a game that deserves to be experienced by as many people as possible. It's proof that originality is irrelevant in the face of a game that can simply present a well-worn theme better than anyone else. That Torchlight II does so with so small a price tag is just the icing on the cake.

It will take you around 15 hours to complete the game, which is quite solid considering the price asked. If I were you I would buy multiple copies on Steam and gift it to my friends, because co-op really enhances the game a lot. It's not something that pushes the genre, even Diablo 3 managed to fail spectacularly at it.

Runic Games haven't tried to be over ambitious here, they've improved upon the original's failings, and have crafted a fun game you and your friends can enjoy for a long time.

Now if you don't mind, I'll go back to playing Torchlight 2.

But that interesting position. It's pretty much perfect at being something we already know. It really makes no efforts to take the genre anywhere new. That was enormously disappointing when Diablo III did it, while also strangling itself in moronic DRM, bugs and issues. With a game in such a fantastic state as Torchlight 2, it's instead just a bit of a shame. There was a chance to innovate a lot more here, and while I don't think for a moment that anyone buying this would be the least bit disappointed in any of it, it would still have been nice to see a significant step forward here.

But you can't take much away from (pretty much perfect). Torchlight 2 is a stunning game, as engrossing and evening-eating as you could hope, all so wonderfully presented. It's smart, witty, and pretty, and it stands as a shining example of the genre.

Torchlight 2 is just a hugely enjoyable game, all the way through. While it doesn't have the social aspects that Diablo 3 has, it's a much more cohesive game overall, with great skills, tough enemies, and a difficulty curve that doesn't fluctuate wildly. For 20$, it is an absolute bargain, one that should be bought by anyone who plays PC games.

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