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Torchlight II

Torchlight II, Runic Games' latest kill sandbox, is one of the best action-RPGs around.
Torchlight II Game Cover
89%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
93% User Score Based on 23,515 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 38 reviews

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Torchlight II Game Cover

About

Torchlight II is a single player and multiplayer hack and slash game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Runic Games and was released on September 19, 2012. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Torchlight II features randomly generated dungeons and numerous types of monsters to fight for loot. Torchlight II is an action RPG as its predecessor, but features overland areas with multiple hub towns, and a longer campaign. Players are able to customize character appearance with choice of sex, face, hair style and hair color. Additionally, several elements from the first game return, such as p…

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Torchlight II screenshot
Torchlight II screenshot
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93%
Audience ScoreBased on 23,515 reviews
story727 positive mentions
grinding380 negative mentions
  • Torchlight II features a vibrant and charming art style that sets it apart from darker ARPGs, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience.
  • The gameplay is engaging and addictive, with fluid combat, diverse character classes, and a satisfying loot system that keeps players coming back.
  • The game offers exceptional replayability through robust mod support, diverse character classes, and procedurally generated environments, making it a favorite among both newcomers and veterans.
  • The story is generally considered generic and forgettable, serving primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than providing depth or engagement.
  • The game suffers from performance issues, particularly during intense combat scenes, leading to frame rate drops and poor multi-core optimization.
  • Character development is criticized for lacking depth and excitement, especially in comparison to older titles, which may disappoint players seeking a more intricate experience.
  • story
    2,673 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in Torchlight II is generally considered generic and forgettable, serving primarily as a backdrop for the game's action and loot mechanics. While some players appreciate the light-hearted narrative and the continuation from the first game, many find it lacks depth and engagement, often overshadowed by the gameplay itself. Overall, the game is more focused on combat and exploration than on delivering a compelling story, making it a fun experience for those who prioritize action over narrative.

    • “The narrative is minimal and mostly forgettable, but the game includes enough quirky quest-givers and light-hearted side quests to keep things charming.”
    • “The story is a nice continuation from Torchlight 1.”
    • “The story picks up where the first game ended, and along the way, you meet new characters and quest givers that help you in your quest against the alchemist.”
    • “The story is fairly generic and forgettable.”
    • “The story, meanwhile, is below boilerplate and utterly forgettable.”
    • “The story is on the weak side and I only half paid attention to it: the big bad evil guy is trying to do something bad, so chase him down and ultimately catch up and defeat him just before he can do the bad thing.”
  • gameplay
    2,210 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Torchlight II is widely praised for its engaging and addictive mechanics, drawing strong comparisons to the Diablo series. Players appreciate the fluid combat, diverse character classes, and the satisfying loot system, which keeps the experience fresh and rewarding. While some critiques mention repetitive elements and a lack of depth in certain mechanics, the overall consensus is that the game offers a fun, accessible, and enjoyable action RPG experience, especially with the added benefits of mod support and multiplayer options.

    • “The core gameplay is a scientific marvel: a simple loop of 'click, click, and a million sparkly things fall out.' You'll collect so much junk that your inventory will be begging for mercy.”
    • “It blends satisfying gameplay mechanics with a robust loot system, accessible class variety, and a rich world to explore.”
    • “Torchlight II shines brightly in the action RPG genre, drawing favorable comparisons to games like Diablo with its addictive gameplay and loot-driven adventure.”
    • “Torchlight II improves on the glaring lack of build and gameplay variety from the first game, but the game itself is still bafflingly restrictive, most notably in that respeccing your character is impossible without modding.”
    • “The gameplay is rough.”
    • “The gameplay is dull, and some of the missions cannot be completed while you're a certain level, and since the monsters do not revive themselves after you leave the zone.”
  • graphics
    2,072 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of Torchlight II are characterized by a vibrant, cartoonish art style that sets it apart from darker ARPGs like Diablo and Path of Exile. While some players appreciate the colorful and whimsical visuals, others find the aesthetic less appealing, preferring a more mature or realistic style. Overall, the game's graphics are generally well-received for their charm and ability to run smoothly on lower-end hardware, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience.

    • “The art style is vibrant and slightly cartoonish, which gives the game a timeless quality compared to grittier ARPGs.”
    • “The graphics are colorful and vibrant and fit well with the overall art direction.”
    • “Torchlight II captivates with its vibrant and charming art style, a welcome departure from the often grim aesthetics of similar games.”
    • “The graphics are a bit cartoonish, which fits the fantasy theme very well.”
    • “The cartoonish aesthetic, and the limited options for customizing a character's appearance, only add to this feeling of over-simplicity.”
    • “The graphics are dated.”
  • replayability
    660 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Torchlight II is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, bolstered by robust mod support, diverse character classes, and procedurally generated environments that ensure each playthrough feels unique. Players appreciate the game's ability to offer endless content through community-created mods, new game plus modes, and varied builds, making it a favorite among both newcomers and veterans of the action RPG genre. Overall, the combination of engaging gameplay mechanics and extensive customization options contributes to its high replay value, often described as "infinite."

    • “Even years after its release, Torchlight II remains one of the most beloved and replayable entries in the ARPG genre, perfect for veterans and newcomers alike.”
    • “The game offers a lot of content and replayability with its variety of classes and skill trees.”
    • “With the number of workshop contents/mods out there, this game's replayability is literally endless.”
    • “The game isn't very long, even if you go for a new game ++++++ character, and you have to replay it as the other classes if you want to get the full replay value.”
    • “The replayability of this game goes on for months on end with mods, and it has a certain charm to it that keeps you coming back.”
    • “Despite its minor flaws, like the somewhat generic story and limited character customization, the game's overall charm and replay value more than make up for it.”
  • music
    506 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in Torchlight II, composed by Matt Uelmen, is widely praised for its atmospheric and nostalgic qualities, reminiscent of the iconic soundtracks from the Diablo series. While many players appreciate the engaging and immersive nature of the soundtrack, some note that it can feel repetitive or overly similar to previous works, leading to mixed feelings about its originality. Overall, the music significantly enhances the game's vibrant environments and gameplay experience, making it a standout feature for fans of the genre.

    • “The soundtrack by Matt Uelmen, known for his iconic work on the Diablo series, sets the perfect mood—mysterious, atmospheric, and evocative of classic dungeon crawlers.”
    • “The vibrant art style and energetic soundtrack create an immersive world full of exciting exploration and rewarding battles.”
    • “The music complements both exploration and combat well, creating a pleasant and engaging experience throughout.”
    • “Oh, and the music often felt like a direct ripoff from Diablo 1.”
    • “The music is almost copyright infringing-- oh it was written by the same composer of Diablo?”
    • “The first con is that the music which I was so looking forward to is lackluster to be kind.”
  • grinding
    402 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of Torchlight II has received mixed feedback from players. While many enjoy the loot-driven gameplay and find the grinding satisfying and fun, others describe it as tedious and repetitive, especially in the later stages of the game. Players who appreciate grinding for achievements or character builds may find it rewarding, but those who prefer a more streamlined experience might feel overwhelmed by the extensive time required for farming items and levels.

    • “Not too grindy, you quickly level up and get decent items after some play.”
    • “Also, I've never felt bored with any of the quests; there were no grinding or fetching quests really.”
    • “Has mods, smooth leveling to level 100 with no grinding.”
    • “Grinding for items is taking too much time because of random loot.”
    • “Game is too grindy and repetitive.”
    • “The worst part, grinding is painfully boring.”
  • atmosphere
    178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by its charming, colorful visuals and a light-hearted, cartoonish tone, which contrasts with the darker themes typical of similar titles like Diablo. While many players appreciate the vibrant environments and engaging soundtrack, some feel that it lacks the depth and immersive quality found in its predecessors, leading to mixed opinions on its overall atmospheric impact. Overall, the game successfully creates an enjoyable and inviting atmosphere, though it may not resonate with those seeking a more serious or gritty experience.

    • “The soundtrack by Matt Uelmen, known for his iconic work on the Diablo series, sets the perfect mood—mysterious, atmospheric, and evocative of classic dungeon crawlers.”
    • “All that coated is a fantastic atmosphere created by a catchy soundtrack, timelessly stylized artwork, and a sense of identity felt throughout the entire game, meticulously crafted by passionate people with love for the genre in heart, resulting in an experience that engraves deep into the mind and lingers there for many years after completion.”
    • “The atmosphere is just spot on, and the game is loads of good old fun.”
    • “The story and atmosphere are bland.”
    • “The atmosphere is uninspiring and dull.”
    • “The atmosphere and setting are not gritty, grim or dark, and that is the only flaw in the game.”
  • humor
    132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with many players highlighting its clever writing, funny NPCs, and whimsical elements that provide a lighthearted contrast to traditional dark fantasy themes. Players enjoy the comedic aspects of gameplay, such as humorous spells, quirky pets, and amusing item names, which enhance the overall experience and make it enjoyable both solo and in co-op mode. Overall, the game is described as a fun, colorful, and humorous take on the action RPG genre, reminiscent of Diablo but with a more playful tone.

    • “The story is solid and the game's humor is well-done.”
    • “Funny game to just vibe in call <3”
    • “Torchlight's personal mix of serious storyline and world lore alongside tongue-in-cheek humor provides just the right balance of tension and laughter to make already enjoyable well-executed action RPG mechanics even more so.”
  • optimization
    88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of Torchlight II has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, particularly during intense combat scenes where frame rates can drop below 30 fps. While the game generally runs smoothly on modern hardware and is playable on lower-end systems, it suffers from poor multi-core optimization, leading to stuttering and slowdowns in busy scenarios. Overall, while some players find it well-optimized for casual play, others express frustration over its performance limitations, especially in multiplayer settings.

    • “It runs smoothly even with the settings maxed out, thanks to its optimized graphics and timeless art style.”
    • “The game is really well optimized and a medium graphic card will easily provide a high fps rate.”
    • “It's pretty well optimized and can run on medium-high settings on just about any machine you put it on.”
    • “One of the most serious problems with Torchlight II is its poor optimization.”
    • “Even on modern hardware, performance can dip below 40 or even 30 fps during busy scenes, especially toward the end of the game when the screen is filled with enemies and corpses.”
    • “From what I understand, the game only utilizes a single CPU core, which severely limits performance.”
  • stability
    88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is a significant concern, particularly in multiplayer mode, where users report frequent bugs, connection issues, and frustrating troubleshooting experiences. While some players find it runs well on various systems, including Linux, many express dissatisfaction with the overall buggy nature of the game, which detracts from the enjoyment of both single-player and multiplayer experiences. Despite its potential, the persistent technical problems and lack of developer support leave many players feeling frustrated and unable to fully engage with the game.

    • “Runs great on low spec computers.”
    • “Remarkably stable and bug free.”
    • “Great game, well made, basically bug free for me.”
    • “Multiplayer doesn't work due to buggy coding...firewall won't let you play online even with permissions through firewall....only solution is to go into the game's files and change values, and this only works once. Solid no.”
    • “Despite trying all the troubleshooting tips and even reaching out to Reddit, the game keeps throwing up issues related to firewalls or other connection problems, making it impossible for me to join my friend’s game.”
    • “While I love Diablo-esque games, this one is a buggy, unplayable mess.”
  • character development
    43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many praising the vibrant character designs and the flexibility of skill progression, allowing for diverse builds and playstyles. However, some players criticize the endgame character development as lacking depth and excitement, particularly in comparison to older titles like Diablo 2 and Grim Dawn. Overall, while the game offers engaging character customization and a colorful aesthetic, it may not satisfy those seeking a more intricate character development experience.

    • “Character development, collecting kit, and customizing skills makes Torchlight 2 (and its predecessor) one of the best action RPG/dungeon crawlers around.”
    • “The vibrant world and character design made for an exciting experience and always made each new place to explore a joy.”
    • “Character development and evolution is well thought out and offers a lot of possibilities.”
    • “Character development was rather boring, but what really killed it is the third-party login.”
    • “Titan Quest and Diablo 2 are older games and are much more detailed for character development.”
    • “Mods help with replayability, but the game suffers from a fundamental lack of character development during the endgame, which can put you off from the grind.”
  • emotional
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits mixed feelings among players, with some expressing deep nostalgia and connection to its characters and music, while others find the storyline predictable and lacking depth. Many appreciate the game's ability to evoke a sense of warmth and fun, particularly when revisiting it after years, but some feel emotionally detached from the gameplay and its quests. Overall, the emotional engagement varies significantly, with some players experiencing heartfelt moments and others feeling indifferent.

    • “It's one of only a handful of games I've played that made me feel this way.”
    • “The story is also very emotionally compelling with each horse that is born into the world.”
    • “One of the best games I have ever been playing... addicting, stunning, heartbreaking (especially in hardcore mode...) 12/10!”
    • “The grind is definitely there, but the game has a fairly boring story, if you could even call it that.”
    • “It's polished and the game mechanics are okay, but it's basically the same game with a boring storyline and graphics that aren't as good.”
    • “I don't want to follow your boring story and go back to town every 3 minutes to get a quest.”
  • monetization
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game is highly praised, with users appreciating the absence of microtransactions, DLCs, and pay-to-win elements, which contrasts sharply with modern gaming trends. Players value the straightforward purchase model, allowing for a complete gaming experience without additional costs, and many consider it a refreshing return to classic gaming principles. Overall, the game is seen as a great value for its price, offering extensive content without the pitfalls of contemporary monetization schemes.

    • “I can't thank him enough because Torchlight 2 is exactly what I've been searching for—a fun, relaxing ARPG without pay-to-win elements or microtransactions.”
    • “It's a timeless gem that offers a fun, engaging experience without the hassle of modern gaming monetization schemes.”
    • “It's $20 with free online co-op support and no DLC or microtransactions.”
    • “Mmo focused trash which will be full of mobile microtransactions as the new devs are all mobile game devs. Avoid Torchlight 3.”
    • “Perhaps if the makers of the game made it free to play, but with in-game purchases, it would be more successful.”
    • “For 20 bucks, it beats the RMAH-driven cash grab that is Diablo 3!”
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85%Critics’ scoreBased on 38 critic reviews
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37h Median play time
96h Average play time
21h Main story
76h Completionist
12-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 103 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Torchlight II is a hack and slash game with fantasy theme.

Torchlight II is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Windows and others.

The main story can be completed in around 21 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 76 hours to finish. On average players spend around 96 hours playing Torchlight II.

Torchlight II was released on September 19, 2012.

Torchlight II was developed by Runic Games.

Torchlight II has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Torchlight II is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Torchlight, Grim Dawn, The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing, Titan Quest, Victor Vran and others.