Torchlight is a game that’s been floating around the blogosphere quite a bit since its release early this week.  And with good reason.  This gem of a game is the product of a lot of love from a developer who’s had some major ups and downs in the past couple years.  Runic Games is formed entirely (with some additions) of the same team that was working on Mythos before Flagship went belly-up.  It should comes as no surprise that Torchlight bears a striking resemblance to not only Mythos, but Diablo 1 and 2 and Fate as well.

Max and Erich Schaefer (key developers on the Diablo series) and Travis Baldree (lead designer of Fate) are the founders of this little studio.  What’s astonishing is that in eleven short months they’ve made a game that, while derivative, is extremely satisfying in a way that few games since Diablo 2 have been able to replicate.

At very first glance, players familiar with Fate will see some very obvious connections.  As Syp recently pointed out, Torchlight is essentially the same game.  Good or bad, this little fact doesn’t mean Runic’s first entry into the world of computer gaming is something to pass over.  Fate has over a million customers (insert McDonald’s I’m Lovin’ It theme here) for a reason.  But even that game was missing, for me, the same thrill and drive to keep delving deeper into the dungeon that Torchlight captures.

It borrows heavily from the Diablo series, Fate, and even Mythos.  You have several skill trees for each of the three classes.  There’s a heavy reliance on potions, identify scrolls, and town portals (Diablo).  You have a pet that can change into different beasts by feeding it fish, run back to town to sell your gear, and learn spells to help you fight (Fate).  You can even purchase random dungeon maps that will give you a nice diversion from the main quest line (Mythos).

I mean, let’s call a spade a spade here… Torchlight is an amalgamation of many previous entries into the Action-RPG genre.  But where in the past games like Sacred  and Titan Quest have failed to capture the same addictive and enticing qualities that Diablo once did, Torchlight shines.

I don’t know why, but so very few games in this genre ever match the same feeling that the best of the best give.  I was rarely eager to keep playing Sacred, I didn’t sit at my desk and dream of the next shiny piece of loot in Titan Quest.  But with Torchlight, I’m already planning my next character and what skills I’m going to own little zombie faces with.

Our full review will be coming later, but until then why not check the game out yourself?  Steam has a demo available, and it only costs $20 to unlock the full game.  I will personally guarantee you’ll get your money’s worth if you’re itching for a good new hack-n-slash.  If I’m wrong, Br3ntbr0 will gladly pay you back.

(Though he may deny it…)

- JoBildo

© Posted by JoBildo for Im Talkin Games with 3 comments on 10/29/2009.
Posted in: Featured, Impressions Tags: RPG, Runic Games, Torchlight

BioWare appears to really be bringin’ it with Dragon Age Origins.  Not to be outdone by Torchlight, Dragon Age Origins is offering an advanced software tool to download which will enable the average Joe like you and me to create “cut scenes, audio/visual effects, conversations, level creation and much more.”  Perhaps you need to be a little more technically savvy than the average Joe, but hopefully you get the point.  The tool set has documentation online here, and really looks to tap into the player generated content that made games like Neverwinter nights so popular.  Check out the clip below which showcases the tools:

© Posted by br3ntbr0 for Im Talkin Games with One comment on 10/26/2009.
Posted in: Featured, News Tags: BioWare, Dragon Age: Origins, RPG, Runic Games, Torchlight

There’s a game being released soon (8 days from the time of this article) by the former developers of Diablo that appears to be doing more than just bringing a game to market. Runic games will soon launch Torchlight, the (dare I say?) “Diablo-esque” action RPG game.  Not having played the game and knowing little about it since it has largely flown under most gamer’s radar, I think I can say that there is alot to like with this game.

Torchlight is going to be releasing a set of development tools along with the game, which should prolong the re-playability of the game.  Starting October 27th, it will be available on Steam for digital download.  The price appears to be right, around $20 bucks in the U.S.  It is being developed by Runic games, and despite the hangups that some people may have with Runic over HellGate London going to hell,  I think that the work they’ve done on Diablo gives them a unique perspective to making this sort of game.  Because of that I feel that the quality should be good.  The graphics look to be low impact, almost WoW like in their light and comic light appearance.  Its my opinion that these things add up to a game that has big potential.  All signs point to a fun, cheap and re-playable game.  Check out the 3 video clips below, which talk about the development tools that will ship with the game, as well as Runic’s philosophy around the game:

However, Torchlight is launching in October.  The same month that another little RPG is launching, Dragon Age Origins.  If you are a fan of action RPG’s, Torchlight just might be worth a look.  I think the signs point to it being a good game, but time will tell. In the mean time check out some video on the playable classes in Torchlight, the Alchemist, Vanquisher and Destroyer.

© Posted by br3ntbr0 for Im Talkin Games with 5 comments on 10/19/2009.
Posted in: Commentary, Featured, Video Tags: Diablo, Dragon Age: Origins, Runic Games, Torchlight