Runic Games' Torchlight II is the second big action RPG to be released in 2012. We've been putting TL2 through its paces and trying -not- to make comparisons to that other ARPG that released in May. See what we think of Torchlight 2 before adding your ideas to the comments.

In a year that I would call an ARPGer’s delight with both Torchlight II and Diablo III coming out, the comparisons between the two are very common. To my mind, however, while the two share certain genre-wide features, there is enough different to make owning both worthwhile.

So what makes Torchlight II such a great game? Let’s take a look.

Read more of Suzie Ford's Torchlight 2: Kudos on a Job Well Done.

Using a respec in this game will secretly label you as a 'cheater' online, sharing the same exact title with people who hack character lvls and items. Then you get persecuted by the online community for having this title 

for not wanting to waste your time remaking bad characters

and you will make bad characters, the tooltips are so poorly labeled and the game mechanics can be vague at times. not to mention the many useless skills

Suzie...

I tend to enjoy reading your reviews as I feel they are as straight forward and honest as they come.  

I do have one criticism, and I am nitpicking

Under con, you list the art style.  Something like this is purely subjective.  Torch features that "cartoony", storybook flair and I personally feel its handled consistently throughout (UI, animations, textures, geometry, etc...).  Yes, I agree, it may turn someone off from the game.  But, someone else may find it charming - and is no different than any other "art style" we see in games.

In fact, you even give the game an "8" for its aesthetic and mention you find it appealing.

Come on, it is a fun game for the first week or so then it just becomes boring.  Yeah it is probably better than DIII, but then what isn't?  So giving the game a 10 for longevity is laughable, more like a 5 at best.  There is really nothing to keep you playing the game continuously.  Diablo II was a better game than this.  Why is it no one can even come close to what that game achieved, it is not rocket science?

When you give games that are just good a high score like this, you make your rating scale a joke.  Next time be at least a little bit critical. 

I love when people complain about having to re-level character builds...

One of the biggest cons in D3 were the meaningless builds that destroyed replay value.

Why do you guys think D2 was played as long as it was? re-leveling new builds.

Honestly TL2 would be the new king of ARPG if it had ladders and pvp options.

Sadly it doesn't so D2 is still the better game.

Originally posted by Aviggin

Cons

Almost too much loot - - - So if it's ALMOST too much, then it's nearly just enough. Art style not for everyone --- Thanks for pointing out the obvious with EVERY game. Some bugs in coop -- At least one of these isn't opinion and obvious one that everyone knows.

 

In all honestly, with your struggle to find any cons, those bugs in co-op must be a big deal to bring the game down 1.4 points from 10, 'cause that's the only REAL con I see here.

 

The way it reads, I would expect a 9.5 or something.

 

 

 

THIS ^

2/3rds of the cons frankly sound like nitpicking at subjective matter of taste. 

While I have my own personal tastes when it comes to art/style... The first question I ask, does it accomplish what its attempting to do well and why/why not?

Here, the art is "cartoony" but its executed very well.  Animations, GUI, models, textures all play up the aesthetic.  So yes, if "cartoony" isn't your thing, it may impact your enjoyment of the game. However, that notion is true to any art style.  

TSW is a good example.  The game is moody, eerie and in a modern day setting.  Funcom does succeed.... mostly.  The animations and some of the particle effects are either poorly done or over done.  So there, I would argue the art is inconsistent (though I still enjoy the game very much).  Another good example would be when SOE decided to make SWG flashier will all sorts of "magical" particle effects.... just didn't work for me visually.

Originally posted by Ozmodan

Come on, it is a fun game for the first week or so then it just becomes boring.  Yeah it is probably better than DIII, but then what isn't?  So giving the game a 10 for longevity is laughable, more like a 5 at best.  There is really nothing to keep you playing the game continuously.  Diablo II was a better game than this.  Why is it no one can even come close to what that game achieved, it is not rocket science?

When you give games that are just good a high score like this, you make your rating scale a joke.  Next time be at least a little bit critical.