Torchlight II Beta Impressions - Action RPG Done Right?

Error 37 getting you down? Constant online connections bugging your life? Need freedom to play single player in your action RPG? Are you annoyed by this opening line of this impressions article that sounds like a sales pitch? Runic Games recently had a beta weekend(that was still invite only) for Torchlight II and I had the pleasure of trying the game out. Runic went all out for Torchlight II; 4 player co-op, a bigger hub world with a tonne of random dungeons, offline single player, 4 new classes, new skills, new pets.... the list goes on.

Torchlight II Priced USD$20 On Steam - Available for Pre Order

Runic Games sequel to Torchlight hasn't got a release date yet... other than summer 2012... but it has popped up on the Steam store. It's going for USD$19.99 and if you pre order Torchlight II now, you will receive Torchlight free. If you own Torchlight, you'll get a gift-able copy. Torchlight was a runaway success when it was released since there was hardly any competition, it was polished, addictive and great value for money. This time it's a little different. Diablo III is around the corner... but Torchlight II is only 20 dollars and has 4 player co-op as well. I guess it is no question which game will come out tops, but I sincerely hope Runic Games will hit another success with Torchlight II. These guys know how to make action RPG's and deserve the support.

Source: PC Gamer

Torchlight II Opening Cinematic

Runic Games has released the opening cinematic for Torchlight II, reminding everyone that Diablo III is not the only action RPG in town. The opening cinematic is hand drawn animation from the folks at Klei Entertainment(developers of Shank). Watch it below...

Torchlight II Berserker Frenzy Trailer - It's Berserk!

Here's some Torchlight II... just to remind you of this other game... other than Diablo III. Runic Games demonstrates the Berserker class in a frenzy! In this mode he makes critical hits... all the freaking time!. Check out the trailer below...

Torchlight II Delayed To 2012! Aaaaarrrrghhh!

I was looking forward to this one. Torchlight was one of my favourite indie game made by former Blizzard North guys, the guys that actually made Diablo. Torchlight II was supposed to be released July this year which was delayed to late 2011. Now, designer Travis Baldree posted in the Runic Games blog that they aren't going to make it this year. "We've come to the realization, however, that getting a game of this scope up to the quality and polish level we want to achieve is going to take a little longer; especially since we want to run a small beta before release to ensure that our launch is smooth". He didn't say exactly when they plan to release it. It's done when it's done I suppose :(

Source: Runic Games

Torchlight II To Be Priced At USD$20

Runic Games today announced that Torchlight II, the sequel to one of the best value for money, Torchlight will be priced at USD$20. Sadly, no solid release date for this yet. Torchlight II was supposed to be out on July, but has been delayed to... when its done. The fact that they have announced the price point augurs well for the game though. Release shouldn't be long now. Torchlight II will support LAN and online coop up to 4 players(there are four new classes in Torchlight II). It's also way...way more bigger with a huge over world with a tonne of different quest areas. Oh yeah... best of all... you can play single player offline. LOL that's a dig on Diablo III.

Source: Joystiq

30 Minutes Of Torchlight II Gameplay - Runic Games Already Has My Money

Gamespot has posted up a very generous 30 minute clip of a play through of Runic Games upcoming Torchlight II. Torchlight II is due some time later this year(no set release date other than that) and promises to widen the scope of the game. A bigger map, more levels, more loot, and coop! If you're wondering, I'll definitely be getting this title. It also isn't going to be a full retail priced game. A no brainer. Watch the video below...

Torchlight II Developer Diary - Making Of The World Of Torchlight II

Torchlight II Lead Level Designer, Patrick Blank has written a developer diary over at the official site. He goes into detail on the level design process over at Runic Games and mostly talks about the environment in Torchlight II. Torchlight II introduces new overworld areas that are much larger than the largest areas from the first game.These are connected by smaller narrower passes. They’re also making levels a lot more randomised now and you’ll have dungeons that are now fully randomised. There’s also written QA bit they had with the community which you can read here. Torchlight II is due out summer this year.

Diablo III Originally Planned To Be An MMO - Max Shaefer Hints At Early Blizzard Design

Max Shaefer from Runic Games explained that Diablo III was being designed to be like an MMO during his time back in Blizzard North(the team that made Diablo and Diablo II). He said “We were going the MMO route. We wanted to support many more players in the game. When I left the company in 2003 the project was still very early on; far from the point where we could have revealed anything about it publicly, since so much would still have changed”. Max obviously now has formed Runic Games and are hard at work finishing Torchlight II which is not going to be an MMO(although it will support 4 player coop). They were supposed to be working on a Torchlight MMO but that has been put on hold temporarily(they aren’t a huge team). Torchlight II is due out on July and they recently put up info about some of the monsters you’ll find in Torchlight II.

Source: Diablo Incgamers.com

Torchlight Review

 

The names Max and Erich Shaefer may bring nostalgic memories to PC gamers. They of course were co creators to the seminal Diablo and Diablo II from Blizzard(previously Blizzard North) which was a landmark moment in action RPG games(in fact it invented it). Runic Games is the name of the new start up and Torchlight is their first offering. A Diablo clone which gets the formula right.

 

 

It’s got the same addictive quality of Diablo which is either a good or bad thing depending on how you see it. Prepare to find time fly by as you rush through a dungeon to get every single gold and loot drop. As it is from the guys that did Diablo, I suppose they know the right formula to mix combat with loot drops. The perfect reward to action ratio which will suck your soul.

 

 

What’s there to say about the gameplay that you have probably known by know. It plays like Diablo. You can take control of any three different class type, the Alchemist(Wizard), Destroyer(Warrior) and blabla(the ranger/ranged weapon expert). You then go into Torchlight, a town gripped with a growing evil. You find that the source of this comes from deep within the mines and venture into it to fight whatever monster you face.

 

 

Really, the story’s nice, but irrelevant. You’ll be too busy just killing stiff and picking stuff up. What’s brilliant about Torchlight is that its got some truly smart things in it that improves on the Diablo formula. Ever had your inventory full in between a dungeon raid and ever wished you could somehow sell some of the stuff away(instead of just dropping them)? Now you can using your pets to quickly run back to town to sell it for you.

 

 

Yes you have a pet, which is very fashionable I suppose(hey WoW has them). It’s really your personal slave to be frank. Go sell this crap boy! You could also equip your dog(or cat) rings and necklace to improve its stats and even teach it to use spells. You have merchants, quest givers, gambling orcs, robot bards and a whole host of characters that sever to give you quests, sell and buy your stuff, and allow you to make more money.

 

 

There is even a shared treasure chest that allow you to share items between your different characters or saves. Absolute genius move. It’s the minor improvements like this from the Diablo formula that makes Torchlight a polished, refinement of the classic. While the lack of a multiplayer may turn off some people(purely single player), Torchlight manages to hold on to your attention with its loot collection.

 

 

As a roughly 1 year development time from a relatively small and new studio, it’s evident that Runic is a studio that is lead by very experienced and talented people that I have no doubt has a lot more to offer to the games industry and gamers. Torchlight at USD$19.99 is a definitely buy if you’re an action RPG fan.

 

Pros:

• Addictive loot mechanic
• Many refinements and improvements over Diablo
• Great game for jumping in for a while

 

Cons:

• Addictive
• Light on cutscenes and story

 

Verdict:  Loot Fest!

 

Rating: 8/10

 

Price: USD$19.99

 

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