Game Info
GAME NAME: Torchlight
DEVELOPER(S): Runic Games
PUBLISHER(S): Runic Games / Encore Inc.
PLATFORM(S): PC, Mac, Xbox 360
GENRE(S): Hack ‘n slash dungeon crawler
RELEASE DATE(S): October 27, 2009
Runic Games, a company that has created a few Diablo clones now, has released their latest and greatest product – Torchlight. Folks, this is as close as you’re gonna get to Diablo III until it hits stores. And the game has nary a release date in sight. I’d say that Torchlight’s general design is presented as a combination between World Of Warcraft and Diablo III. At least, as far as the quest system and character design go.
I made, and will be making, many comparisons to the Diablo series in particular. Well, the team is actually comprised of a sizable amount of ex-Blizzard employees, including the man who composed the music for the original Diablo. The town theme in this game is vaguely similar to Tristram’s theme from the original Diablo. Storywise, it’s very Diablo I. There’s a town atop a great series of labrynthine ruins, and it draws aspiring heroes to uncover what’s really going on. And just like the original Diablo, there are three characters to choose from. A swordsman, a long-range warrior, and a spellcaster. However, the great thing about this game is, each character can actually go one of three ways. So for example, your Alchemist could really become a Necromancer. Each of the classes has three skill trees to go down.
One nice thing about this is that it encourages picking up and playing from wherever you left off. Even in the Diablo series and some other clones of those games, if, say, you had taken a portal to town and closed the game, you would have to retrace your steps from whatever waypoint you had last unlocked. Not here! You can take that portal back after loading your save again. It’s little things like that which endear this to me so much.
The graphics are colorful, somewhat reminiscent of what we’ve seen of Diablo III, although they probably aren’t as detailed or impressive. The music is ambient and creates a fitting atmosphere of foreboding. The voice acting is okay. Considering this is a budget title, I can’t complain any.
Typical of a dungeon-crawler, you go further and further down, encountering tougher enemies and getting better loot. It’s a tried-and-true formula, and these guys pull it off hella well. Torchlight is a mere 20 dollars, brand-new. I suggest you go here and buy it. NOW!
