Torchlight II Reviews

Torchlight II is a masterclass in action role-playing design, delivering a thrilling blend of fast-paced combat, rewarding loot progression, and colorful visual style. Developed by Runic Games, it serves as a refined follow-up to the original Torchlight, taking everything that worked in the first game and expanding it with a larger world, four distinct character classes, online co-op, and significantly more depth. It’s a game that wears its inspirations proudly—most notably Diablo II—but carves out its own identity with charm, accessibility, and replayability. At its core, Torchlight II excels in the classic ARPG loop: slay enemies, collect gear, upgrade skills, and repeat. The four classes—Engineer, Outlander, Berserker, and Embermage—offer diverse playstyles, each with multiple skill trees that cater to different builds. Whether you prefer summoning mechanical allies, raining magical destruction from afar, or unleashing melee fury, each class feels distinct and satisfying to master. The combat is fluid and responsive, with visual feedback and explosive effects that make even routine encounters feel impactful and fun. One of the standout features of Torchlight II is its world design. Unlike the dungeon-centric approach of its predecessor, the sequel introduces large, open areas that give the game a more expansive feel. Environments range from arid deserts and dense jungles to snowy wastelands and ancient ruins, each teeming with monsters, hidden quests, and side dungeons. The variety in enemy types and map layouts ensures the experience remains fresh throughout the campaign. These zones are procedurally generated in layout, ensuring that no two runs feel identical, which greatly enhances replayability. Loot is another pillar of the Torchlight II experience, and it doesn’t disappoint. Weapons, armor, trinkets, and gems drop frequently, with randomized stats, unique effects, and a constant temptation to upgrade. Legendary and set items offer long-term goals, while enchanting and socketing systems add layers of customization. The joy of finding that one piece that perfectly complements your build is a consistent motivator, and inventory management becomes a satisfying mini-game in itself. Pets, which return from the first game, can assist in battle and be used to quickly sell items in town, minimizing downtime and maintaining the action. Multiplayer is a welcome and essential addition in Torchlight II, supporting online and LAN co-op for up to six players. Teaming up to tackle difficult dungeons, share loot, or experiment with synergistic builds adds a new level of depth and social fun that was sorely missing in the original. The game balances enemies and loot drops for multiple players well, keeping the challenge intact while enhancing the sense of camaraderie and progression. Visually, the game maintains a whimsical, stylized aesthetic that differentiates it from the grimmer tone of other ARPGs. The colorful environments and exaggerated character designs give the game a welcoming personality, without compromising its sense of danger or epic scope. 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. While Torchlight II achieves much, it is not without its small flaws. The story, while serviceable, lacks the narrative punch or character depth seen in some other RPGs. Dialogues and quests can sometimes feel generic, more like a vehicle to move you from one combat zone to another than a fully fleshed-out narrative experience. Additionally, while mod support is a major strength of the game on PC, the vanilla experience may eventually feel limited for players who burn through the main content quickly. In conclusion, Torchlight II is a shining example of what an action RPG can be when it focuses on fun, flexibility, and community. It blends satisfying gameplay mechanics with a robust loot system, accessible class variety, and a rich world to explore. Whether playing solo or with friends, it delivers a consistently enjoyable experience that rewards experimentation and persistence. 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. Rating: 8/10

I'm not that far into it, but am having fun so far. Not too hard, just a game to while away some time.

It is a beautiful continuation of the first one. I would recommend for casual players.

My actual playtime is ~40 hrs (offline hrs were not tracked properly). A fun game to play in Co-op. Gets boring in solo mode. Gets repetitive after 20-30 hours, but any game offering that many hours of gameplay is already peak.

Cool game, but I'd say that the full respec mod is a must when playing without a concrete build.

This is tied with Grim Dawn for best ARPG I've played, although it is easier than the latter game. The graphics are a bit cartoonish, which fits the fantasy theme very well. I'm on my fourth complete playthrough, with the final of the four classes (Engineer). Love love love this game.

Finished Game 1st round in 34hrs and wasnt interested in NG+. Action was great but the story is barely there and dont mention the ending sequence with a simple slideshow.

One of the best Isometric ARPGs ever made IMO. Made with love, by devs you can tell were making something inspired by the best in the genre (D2, Titan Quest, and the OG Torchlight). If you did play Torchlight 1, this is an upgrade in every way you'd typically want a game upgraded, without breaking what wasn't broken. You can usually find it on sale these days, but it's still worth the standard price regardless.

Simple, colorful, fast paced, just a fun senseless game to take your mind off of your problems.

Wow, it took me 13 YEARS... but I'm so glad I dove back in and finally finished Torchlight II (the last good Torchlight) + Diablo in the best of ways + Great mod support, played with Torchlight II Essentials which added a heap of stuff + You can send your pet to SELL ITEMS AND BUY THINGS FOR YOU. This feature will never get old. + Liked my gunslinger type class and Owl pet (extra classes and sooo many pets to choose from via the mod) - Story is paint by numbers as hell Doesn't outstay its welcome, plenty more game if you're obssessed and want to do it all over again and level all the way up to 100. Maybe someday I'll do that, but for now, a solid A-. RIP Runic Games. You managed to pull off something special with 1 and 2.