Torchlight II

Torchlight II

Cover art with the game's four classes (clockwise from top: Embermage, Berserker, Outlander, and Engineer).
Developer(s) Runic Games
Publisher(s) Runic Games
Designer(s) Travis Baldree
Composer(s) Matt Uelmen[1]
Series Torchlight
Engine OGRE[2]
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux
Release

Microsoft Windows

  • WW: September 20, 2012[3]

OS X

  • WW: February 2, 2015

Linux

  • WW: March 4, 2015
Genre(s) Action role-playing, hack and slash
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Torchlight II is an action role-playing game developed by Runic Games, released for Microsoft Windows on September 20, 2012. It is the sequel to Runic's 2009 ARPG, Torchlight, and features peer-to-peer multiplayer[4] support and extended modding capabilities. The game was released for OS X on February 2, 2015,[5] and for Linux on March 4, 2015.[6] Torchlight II takes place in a fantasy world where the player controls the hero in the story who intends to banish the evil from the world.

Gameplay

Like the original Torchlight, Torchlight II features randomly generated dungeons for the player to explore, and numerous types of monsters to fight for experience and loot. Torchlight II maintains the same basic gameplay as its predecessor, but features overland areas with multiple hub towns, and a longer campaign.[7] Other new features include time of day cycles, weather effects, and a redesigned user interface. Also unlike the first game, some weapons and armor can only be used by certain classes, as opposed to all of them. Players are able to customize character appearance with choice of sex, face, hair style and hair color.[4] Additionally, several elements from the first game return, such as pets (but now with expanded options and basic customization available) and fishing. A retirement system was originally planned, similar or identical to the one in the first game, but was replaced with the current New Game Plus mode.[8]

The game features four playable character classes. Each class has 3 skill trees to choose from which enable customization within each class. The three classes from the original Torchlight do not return as playable characters, and are instead presented in the game world as NPCs.

Classes

Engineer: The Engineer (formerly known as the Railman)[9] is a heavy melee fighter who uses ember-powered steampunk technology. Skill Trees: Blitz, Construction, Aegis.

Outlander: The Outlander is a wandering nomad who uses ranged weapons and "low magic".[4] Skill Trees: Warfare, Lore, Sigil.

Berserker: The Berserker uses quick attacks and animal-themed special powers,[10] Skill Trees: Hunter, Tundra, Shadow.

Embermage: The Embermage is a highly trained spell-casting class with elemental attacks.[11] Skill Trees: Inferno, Frost, Storm.

Multiplayer

As stated in the trailer for Torchlight II, Runic games has announced that they "heard their [the fans'] ideas" and criticism concerning the fact that the first Torchlight was a lonely experience without co-op. In addition to single-player mode, an all-new cooperative multiplayer mode has been added, supporting both internet and LAN play.[10] Each multiplayer game can host up to 6 players, and loot drops separately for each player. Optional PVP (player versus player) has been confirmed by Runic. Torchlight II requires a Runic Games account to play in online multiplayer games.

Plot

Years after the end of the original Torchlight, The Alchemist (playable character in the first game) becomes corrupted by the Ember Blight coming from the Heart of Ordrak, the evil being who had been the source of the corruption under the town of Torchlight, and then destroys the town. The player character takes on a quest to stop this villain, who is using Ordrak's power to disturb the balance between the world's six elements.[8]

As the game progresses, the player treks across large geographical areas, corresponding to three "acts" of the story and an epilogue.[12] Act I, Wake of the Alchemist, is set in the mountainous Estherian Steppes, and Act II takes the player to a desert known as the Mana Wastes, and Act III takes place in Grunnheim, a haunted forest that contains the ruins of an ancient dwarven civilization. An Imperial Camp serves as the player's town.[8]

Development

Though the original Torchlight received positive reviews, the game's lack of any multiplayer modes was a near-universal criticism of the title by critics and fans alike.[13] Prior to the release of the first game, Runic Games had announced plans to develop a MMORPG set in the Torchlight game world to follow the release of the single player game.[14] However, in August 2010, Runic announced they were developing Torchlight II, a sequel which was conceived not only as a way to give the series multiplayer support, but also to give Runic "more experience with making a multiplayer Torchlight."[13] Some of the work on Torchlight II is intended to carry over to Runic Games' upcoming Torchlight MMORPG, which the company plans to focus on following the release of the sequel.[15] Runic Games originally estimated the PC version's release date to be sometime in 2011,[16] but in November 2011 company president Travis Baldree announced the game release date would be pushed back to 2012 to allow time for further polishing and beta testing.[17]

In late 2010, Runic Games' increased involvement in the Xbox Live Arcade port of the first Torchlight game caused a delay in the development of the sequel, but memory and loading time optimizations developed for the port led to improvements in the PC version of Torchlight II.[18]

Unlike its predecessor, Torchlight II features cinematic sequences, which are produced by Klei Entertainment, the developer of Don't Starve, Eets and Shank.[10]

Closed beta

In May 2012, Runic Games announced that they would run a closed beta stress test from May 18 until May 24.[19][20] A limited number of beta keys were given out to users who had created their Runic Games account prior to the beta start date.

GUTS editor

In April 2013, a patch to Torchlight II was released to add in the GUTS editor that allows users to alter the game's content and create user modifications. Along with this included new support for Steam Workshop to allow players to share their modifications with others through the Steam client.[21]

Release

In April 2012, Torchlight II became available for pre-purchase through Steam, those who pre-purchased received the original Torchlight free.[22] On August 30, 2012, company president Travis Baldree announced on the official forums for Runic Games that the game was to be released on September 20, 2012.[3]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings88.48%[23]
Metacritic88/100[24]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Edge8/10[25]
Eurogamer9/10[26]
G44.5/5[27]
Game Informer9.25/10[28]
GameSpot8.5/10[29]
GameSpy[30]
GamesRadar[31]
GameTrailers8.5/10[32]
IGN9.1/10[33]
PC Gamer (US)88/100[34]

Critical reception

Torchlight II received favorable reviews; on aggregate review website Metacritic the game attains an overall score of 88 out of 100 based on reviews from 65 professional critics.[24]

Game Informer stated that "Torchlight II is an excellent game no matter how you slice it. As big of a Diablo III fan as I am, the margin between the two is razor-thin – and I have to give the nod to Torchlight II."[28] IGN praised the game saying, "Torchlight II doesn't do anything radically new, but does everything incredibly well. It fits all the pieces of varied monster behavior, interesting items, excellent skill design and random surprises together into a near-perfect formula, where the action never stops and rewards are never far away."[33] GameTrailers praised the low price point saying, "it's a polished adventure that easily justifies its reasonable $20 price tag."[32] One of the criticisms of the game is the lack of innovation. GameSpot stated, "Torchlight II doesn't innovate and it doesn't surprise, and the genre may need an infusion of new ideas if it's going to stay vital."[29]

Sales

The game sold over 1 million copies in 2012.[35] As of 2015, the game has sold almost 3 million copies.[36]

References

  1. ↑ "Music of Torchlight II". Runic Games. 2011-05-06. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
  2. ↑ Sines, Shawn (7 January 2011). "Exclusive Interview: Torchlight 360 & Torchlight 2 with Runic's Max Schaefer". GameFront. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  3. 1 2 Senior, Tom (2012-08-31). "Torchlight 2 release date announced, it’s out in three weeks". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  4. 1 2 3 Davies, Martin. "Torchlight 2 interview with Runic Games". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
  5. ↑ "Big News!". Runic Games. 2015-02-02. Retrieved 2015-02-02.
  6. ↑ "Torchlight II for Linux". Runic Games. 2015-03-04. Retrieved 2015-03-05.
  7. ↑ Garratt, Patrick (2011-01-07). "Interview: Runic’s Max Schaefer on Torchlight and Torchlight II". VG247. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  8. 1 2 3 "About the Game". Runic Games. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
  9. ↑ Dutton, Fred (2011-08-04). "Torchlight 2 is too big for XBLA". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2011-08-04.
  10. 1 2 3 Schramm, Mike (2011-06-08). "Torchlight 2 preview: Embers only". Joystiq. Retrieved 2011-06-08.
  11. ↑ McGee, Maxwell (2011-08-28). "PAX 2011: Torchlight II Embermage Abilities Preview". GameSpot. Retrieved 2011-08-28.
  12. ↑ Onyett, Charles (2011-06-08). "E3 2011: Slashing Through Torchlight II". IGN. Retrieved 2011-08-28.
  13. 1 2 Graft, Kris. "Interview: Runic CEO On Torchlight II, Digital Strengths". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
  14. ↑ Alexander, Leigh (2009-05-04). "Interview: Runic Games' Schaefer Goes In-Depth On Torchlight". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  15. ↑ Biessener, Adam (2010-08-19). "Torchlight II GamesCom Trailer & Hands-On". Game Informer. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  16. ↑ Biessener, Adam (2011-06-08). "Torchlight II: E3 2011 Hands-On Lives Up To Expectations". Game Informer. Retrieved 2011-06-09.
  17. ↑ "An Update from Travis Baldree,". Runic Games. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  18. ↑ Sines, Shawn (2011-01-07). "Exclusive Interview: Torchlight 360 & Torchlight 2 with Runic’s Max Schaefer". GameFront. Retrieved 2011-01-11.
  19. ↑ "Torchilight II Beta Stress Test Weekend". 2012-05-17. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  20. ↑ "Torchlight II - Beta Update: Closing this Thursday". 2012-05-22. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  21. ↑ Purchase, Robert (2013-04-02). "Torchlight 2 editor Guts released with Steam Workshop integration". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
  22. ↑ "Pre-Purchase Now - Torchlight II, receive Torchlight for free!". Steam. Valve Corporation. 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  23. ↑ "Torchlight II". GameRankings. Retrieved 2012-11-26.
  24. 1 2 "Torchlight II". Metacritic. Retrieved 2012-11-26.
  25. ↑ "Torchlight II review". Edge. 2012-10-03. Retrieved 2012-10-06.
  26. ↑ Donlan, Christian (2012-09-24). "Torchlight 2 review". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2012-09-24.
  27. ↑ Kelly, Kevin (2012-10-04). "Torchlight 2 Review for PC". G4. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  28. 1 2 Biessener, Adam (2012-09-27). "A Competing Vision Of Action/RPG Greatness - Torchlight II". Game Informer. Retrieved 2012-09-28.
  29. 1 2 Petit, Carolyn (2012-09-24). "Torchlight II Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
  30. ↑ Stapleton, Dan (2012-09-20). "Torchlight 2 Review". GameSpy. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  31. ↑ Taljonick, Ryan (2012-09-20). "Torchlight II Review". GamesRadar. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  32. 1 2 "Torchlight II". GameTrailers. 2012-10-04. Retrieved 2012-10-06.
  33. 1 2 Onyett, Charles (2012-09-20). "Torchlight II Review". IGN. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  34. ↑ Thursten, Chris (2012-09-24). "Torchlight II review". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2012-09-24.
  35. ↑ Kain, Erik (January 1, 2013). "'Torchlight 2' Sells Over 1 Million Units In 2012". Forbes. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  36. ↑ Kuchera, Ben (2015-08-17). "How Runic games was reborn after Torchlight: The story behind Hob". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
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