The daily grind
Torchlight III feels like a game a decade in the making. Starting off as an entirely different take on the series and somehow ending up exactly where everyone expected it to. This game is the definition of “another one of those” as far as ARPGs are concerned. That is not to say it is a waste of time. In fact there are a few items that really help this entry stand out among the pack, but for everything it does well, it falls back on tropes and bad game play loops that really don’t entice the player to stick with it. Still, if you love loot games with plenty to grind for, Torchlight III will satisfy.
The story here feels like it was designed with greater aspirations in mind. On a whole it is at best forgettable, and at worst massively uninteresting. It is not that the game is written poorly or that there are not interesting characters, but without an overly strong narrative hook, these kinds of games rarely find themselves drawing players into the lore. Torchlight III is just a run-of-the-mill plot with nothing enticing players not to hit that skip cutscene button.
MSRP: $39.99
Platforms: XB1 (reviewed), PS4, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $29.99
The one thing that Torchlight has always had above other titles in the genre is its art style. The cartoon-inspired characters and world are just so well done. It feels like something that would come out of the art team at Blizzard, which makes sense when you consider the original two games were built by some of the former staff that created Diablo. While Runic Games is all but gone in name, the new team at Echtra have continued that tradition. I love the world and characters here. They are so vibrant and colorful. The game does hit some framerate issues when the mobs become massive, which is a shame.
The success of any game of this type is its loot and its loop. Making classes that are varied enough to warrant multiple save files and of course the end game. Torchlight III checks all the boxes, but that is about it. This feels like a game that paints by numbers. The loot is plentiful, but uninspired. The pet mechanic returns and is still a feature that really stands out. I love that I can now have multiple pets and each one not only serves as a pack horse, but also comes with a helpful perk that makes each one unique.
The biggest new addition to Torchlight III are the forts. Think of these like a homebase that can be outfitted and upgraded as you progress through the game. I really liked having my own customizable area I could call a safe zone. Reminds me of my crib in NFL 2K. I made it all my own. While the feature is neat to use, it does feel like everything else in Torchlight III, simply what I expected.
I know it sounds like I am down on the game. I actually really enjoyed playing it. I love a good loot game, but Torchlight III feels like a game that changed direction mid-development. It went from trying something new, to creating a familiar sequel. The combat is sound, the loot is there, and playing with friends is a great time, but it does absolutely nothing to stand out in the crowded genre. It also does very little to stand out from its own predecessors. That is the biggest crime this game commits. There is simply nothing here that screams bigger and better than the last game.
Still even with these shortcomings Torchlight III is a solid ARPG that will please anyone who decides to take the plunge. I enjoyed the hours I got from it, and loved playing with friends online. I had a hard time coming back to it regularly like other titles such as Diablo III and Path of Exile, which is not good considering how old those games are.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
