Torchlight

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,499 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Torchlight Game Cover
Runic's Diablo-like debut drills straight down to the core of what makes a great dungeon-crawling loot grind.
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Torchlight is a single-player historical hack and slash game with great graphics, ingenious music, and unique atmosphere. The game boasts perfect mechanics, a good plot, and plenty of humor. With its randomization feature, randomized dungeons, monsters, treasures, and items, the game offers fantastic replayability, and its mod support allows for a customizable gameplay experience. The game also features pets and fishing for added entertainment.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,499 reviews
story161 positive mentions
grinding126 negative mentions
  • The game has aged very well and offers solid mechanics that are easy to grasp for both new and seasoned players.
  • Torchlight provides a charming art style and engaging gameplay, reminiscent of the Diablo franchise.
  • The pet system adds a unique twist, allowing players to send their pets to town to sell items, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The game can become repetitive quickly, with similar dungeon layouts and quests that lack variety.
  • The final boss presents a significant difficulty spike that can be frustrating, especially compared to the rest of the game.
  • Limited character customization options and a lack of respec mechanics can lead to unbalanced builds and a less engaging experience.
  • story770 mentions

    The story in Torchlight is generally considered simplistic and uninspired, serving primarily as a backdrop for the game's dungeon-crawling gameplay. Many players find the narrative to be generic, revolving around a typical "evil beneath the town" trope, with repetitive quests that lack depth and engagement. While some appreciate the light-hearted tone and the basic framework it provides for gameplay, most agree that the focus is more on action and loot than on a compelling story.

    • “The design of the dungeons in the story mode is incredible, with each monster adding a layer of beauty and information about the Torchlight universe.”
    • “The story is nice but nothing spectacular.”
    • “The story is laughable even by this genre's lax standards.”
    • “The story is non-existent, and locations are all the same but in different colors.”
    • “The story is minimal, and the quests are repetitive (usually involving killing a named enemy).”
  • gameplay617 mentions

    The gameplay of Torchlight is characterized by its solid mechanics and accessibility, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and seasoned players. While it offers a fun and addictive hack-and-slash experience with a focus on loot collection, many reviewers noted that the gameplay can become repetitive and lacks the depth found in more complex ARPGs like Diablo II. Overall, it provides a charming and engaging dungeon-crawling adventure, though some players may find its simplicity and linearity limiting.

    • “The gameplay is solid and still offers amusement, and it's a good buy, especially if you don't want to spend a lot of money.”
    • “With its vibrant visuals, engaging gameplay, and charming world, it offers players a thrilling journey filled with loot, exploration, and adventure.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics in Torchlight 1 are simply fantastic.”
    • “One big issue I see here is that you get one point per experience or fame level increase, but you can put up to 10 points per talent, meaning you'll be spending a long time maxing out one good talent, and in turn, not getting to explore the rest of the tree, making the gameplay feel somewhat monotonous.”
    • “The gameplay loop is pretty linear, the story is bland, some achievements are pointlessly super grindy, the procedurally generated dungeons feel the same after a while, and in the endgame content after the final boss (endless dungeon) it feels like you hardly even make progress.”
    • “It's an 'ok' game with moments of fun, but you're likely to get a bit bored because every battle is the same exact mechanic ... point at enemy and button mashing ... then you realize it's a perpetual rinse and repeat on each and every level.”
  • graphics543 mentions

    The graphics of Torchlight are characterized by a vibrant, cartoonish art style that evokes comparisons to games like World of Warcraft and Diablo, offering a charming and whimsical atmosphere. While some players find the visuals dated and simplistic, many appreciate how the stylized graphics have aged well, contributing to the game's overall appeal and accessibility. Overall, the graphics are seen as a strong point, enhancing the engaging gameplay despite not being cutting-edge by modern standards.

    • “The vibrant graphics truly stand the test of time, bringing a charming world to life that is both colorful and immersive.”
    • “The art style is both enchanting and distinctive, featuring detailed environments and character designs that draw you into the game’s atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics hold up astoundingly well with current-gen stuff, as it has a simple, cartoonish art style.”
    • “That game was widely criticized for its 'cartoonish' graphics.”
    • “The graphics are a little dated and a bit cartoonish, but it didn't really take away from the gameplay for me.”
    • “The graphics were just plain ugly even back then.”
  • music194 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality and nostalgic ties to the Diablo series, as it was composed by Matt Uelmen, the same composer behind the iconic soundtracks of Diablo 1 and 2. While many players appreciate the enchanting and immersive soundtrack, some criticize it for being repetitive and too similar to its predecessors, leading to mixed feelings about its originality. Overall, the music enhances the game's charm and complements its gameplay, making it a significant aspect for fans of the genre.

    • “God damnit, the music in this game is mind-blowing!!!”
    • “The music and sound design, recorded and composed by Diablo's Matt Uelmen, seamlessly blends the atmospheric charm of Diablo 1 & 2 with a refreshing touch of newer instrumentation and production techniques.”
    • “The atmosphere is further enhanced by the enchanting soundtrack, which perfectly complements the on-screen action.”
    • “Sadly, in spite of all its charm (and soundtrack), there's just no getting into the game even after multiple, varied attempts.”
    • “I seriously think this would have been tons better with totally different sounds and music.”
    • “Everything about this game is repetitive: the music, the sounds, and the combat.”
  • grinding127 mentions

    The reviews highlight a mixed reception regarding grinding in the game. While some players appreciate the mindless, addictive nature of grinding for loot and achievements, many find it tedious and repetitive, especially in the later stages where character advancement slows down significantly. The overall sentiment suggests that while grinding can be enjoyable for fans of the genre, it often detracts from the overall experience due to its excessive nature and lack of meaningful progression.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
    • “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
    • “The final boss is weirdly balanced to the point of requiring a lot of grinding to defeat on higher difficulties, and higher difficulties reduce loot drops rather than improve them, giving no real incentive to play them outside of achievement hunting.”
    • “The gameplay loop is pretty linear, the story is bland, some achievements are pointlessly super grindy, the procedurally generated dungeons feel the same after a while, and in the endgame content after the final boss (endless dungeon) it feels like you hardly even make progress.”
    • “I usually like games that involve a lot of grinding, but it feels like it's all you do in this game and there is no challenge to it.”
  • replayability100 mentions

    The game offers a high level of replayability, primarily due to its randomly generated dungeons, multiple character classes, and extensive modding options. While some players note limitations in depth and variety compared to similar titles, many appreciate the diverse gameplay styles and features that encourage multiple playthroughs. Overall, it is considered a solid choice for fans of dungeon crawlers seeking engaging replay value.

    • “The replayability is quite good; there are 3 classes, each with their unique skills, a lot of different enemies each with their power and weakness, and a variety of dungeons.”
    • “With random loot drops, legendary sets to complete, and three character types, the replay value of this game is huge.”
    • “Awesome diablo-style RPG with unlimited replayability!”
    • “The worst offender by far is that the game just doesn't respect your time and it knows it has no replay value but will do anything to force you to play it longer.”
    • “I fully admit that I will not be playing the game again (I have far too many other things to get to!) but that along with being able to 'retire' a character to pass along a heirloom makes it seem as though the replayability is solid.”
    • “The lack of multiplayer severely diminishes replay value.”
  • atmosphere70 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant and colorful art style, which combines whimsical visuals with detailed environments, creating a unique charm reminiscent of classic titles like Diablo. The enchanting soundtrack, composed by Matt Uelmen, enhances the immersive experience, although some players feel it lacks the darker, more intense atmosphere of its inspirations. Overall, the game successfully captivates players with its engaging atmosphere, despite some critiques regarding repetitiveness and depth.

    • “The art style is both enchanting and distinctive, featuring detailed environments and character designs that draw you into the game’s atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is further enhanced by the enchanting soundtrack, which perfectly complements the on-screen action.”
    • “Torchlight is a brilliant dungeon crawler that sucks you in with beautifully crafted and atmospheric levels.”
    • “Torchlight has little to no atmosphere.”
    • “I consider story to be tied very closely with atmosphere, and like Torchlight’s atmosphere, there isn’t really much to be said about the story.”
    • “It feels like the original Diablo, but without the atmosphere and the procedural generation that made it good.”
  • humor20 mentions

    The humor in the game is consistently praised for its light-hearted and whimsical nature, providing a refreshing contrast to the typically dark themes of the ARPG genre. Players enjoy the funny interactions with quirky villagers, amusing achievements, and the cartoonish design that enhances the overall comedic experience, making it an entertaining choice for fans of hack-and-slash gameplay. However, some note that repeated deaths can dampen the humor, but overall, the game is regarded as a hilarious and enjoyable adventure.

    • “It's light, funny, silly, simple and yet dramatic enough to enjoy the fighting too.”
    • “This is the funny-looking yet genuinely sweet, light-hearted, and easy-going cousin in the otherwise broodingly dark ARPG genre.”
    • “Go play it, it is the funnest thing - also pets who sell your wares while you dungeon crawl are incredibly funny.”
  • optimization18 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its strong optimization, running smoothly on both low-end and high-end systems without significant performance issues. Users appreciate the visual quality and responsiveness, although some note minor concerns like the antialiasing toggle affecting performance. A few criticisms exist regarding compatibility with newer operating systems, but these do not overshadow the general consensus of good optimization.

    • “I didn’t encounter any performance issues, which is always a plus, especially for a game with such a rich aesthetic.”
    • “My horrible HP Pavilion all-in-one that I bought off of HSN back in middle school can run this game perfectly, which only speaks to its optimization.”
    • “The game is so well optimized.”
    • “The antialiasing toggle in options makes absolutely no difference in quality; it just cuts performance by half (tested with AMD).”
    • “Perhaps Torchlight was intended for purists (not me), but it had all of the challenging stat-optimization routines of a typical ARPG with no reward to speak of!”
    • “It's terribly optimized for new OSs; the game!”
  • stability16 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with some players reporting significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, while others praise its smooth performance and efficient operation on various hardware. While many users experience frustrating issues, such as stuck pets and unearned achievements, others find the game runs well without major problems. Overall, stability seems to vary widely among players, with some enjoying a bug-free experience and others facing persistent technical difficulties.

    • “Very easy to play and runs great too!”
    • “This also runs great on laptops, so it's a great travel game.”
    • “No bugs, no glitches, just good times.”
    • “This game would be okay at best if it wasn't so buggy; it also controls super clunky as though it were a lot older than it actually is.”
    • “Oh and buggy, had completed my very hard run and didn't get any difficulty completion achievements.”
    • “This game is too buggy to play from Steam, so save your time and money, and ultimate frustration.”
  • character development12 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while the art style and environments are visually captivating, the depth of character development is lacking, with minimal story and thin character engagement. Players can experiment with skill trees for personalized growth, but this flexibility may frustrate those seeking a more structured approach. Overall, the focus remains heavily on gameplay rather than narrative or character progression.

    • “This variety allows for personalized character development and encourages experimentation as you progress through the game.”
    • “Torchlight uses standard mechanisms for character development, but combines them in a unique experience that provides a fun and dynamic game.”
    • “Character development is very open.”
    • “Again, Torchlight is a game that knows that the primary focus here isn't on dialogue, world building, character development, or story in general; the main focus is on the gameplay.”
    • “No character development, no interesting characters to speak of at all, very thin plot, mindless battling through hordes of enemies.”
    • “Very little story or character development, which is fine if the combat mechanics are there.”
  • emotional9 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized for its simplistic and boring narrative, which fails to engage players on a deeper level. While some moments, such as the struggle of a companion, evoke a sense of heartbreak, the overall experience is described as mindless and lacking emotional connectivity, leaving players wanting more depth and engagement.

    • “This brought back memories of when I was 15, playing Diablo again.”
    • “Hearing man's best friend struggle in pain as you fight off waves of baddies together is both heartbreaking and a little exasperating.”
    • “I want something more... some emotional connectivity perhaps.”
    • “The lack of controller support and samey level design, coupled with what is really a super boring story, I really can't recommend Torchlight 1 to anybody.”
    • “Boring story.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The game is praised for its fair monetization model, avoiding the pitfalls of expensive online-only games, season passes, and excessive microtransactions. It offers a solid experience reminiscent of Diablo without the early monetization issues that affected similar titles.

    • “You could do a lot worse for far more expensive games with online-only requirements, season passes, and tons of microtransactions.”
    • “Great game that acts like a Diablo clone, but without any of the microtransactions that plagued the early days of Diablo III.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

Buy Torchlight

Play time

21hMedian play time
29hAverage play time
14hMain story
47hCompletionist
10-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 19 analyzed playthroughs

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