Torchlight (Impressions)

Need something to tide you over until Diablo III is released? How about Torchlight? You've probably at least seen it if you actively use Steam (they ran some sort of promotion recently, I believe). It's a action RPG modeled after dungeon crawlers like Diablo. If you're familiar with the genre at all, you know what to expect. You pick a character class and explore dungeons, caves, etc., killing monsters, loading up on treasure, and developing your character with the experience you earn. The game was crafted by Runic Games: founded by Fate (another excellent game in the genre) creator Travis Baldree and Diablo architects Max Schaefer and Erich Schaefer. And boy is it good!

The game features three class: Destroyer (male, warrior type), Vanquisher (female, ranged type), and Alchemist (male, mage type). Each class has three talent trees, allowing a customizable build. I, naturally, played the Alchemist. You can tailor your Alchemist to focus on offensive spells, summoning minions, or just straight up punching people in the face... with magic, of course. Or, better yet, you can mix and match! It's up to you. You have limited skill points. Therefore, forethought is required.

Graphically, the game is cartoony. However, it looks great. World of Warcraft-esque. The town of Torchlight is dark and a bit grim and foreboding. And it's a bit violent. Some enemies will explode in a shower of cartoon blood if you hit them hard enough. The music is good. It nostalgically recalls the music in Diablo. It's especially noticeable in the town's theme and some of the sound effects, for example: the town portal scroll. It's a really nice touch.

Each character gets a pet! Either a cat or a dog. I don't know if there's more options in the main game or not. Your pet helps you fight, takes items you don't want to town to sell them so you can keep pressing into the dungeon, and can equip some items and even learn spells. You can also feed him/her. Aw... It's good to have a companion!

The games interface is familiar and easy to navigate. That's all that can really be said. If you remember your hotkeys from Diablo II or even WoW, some are the same. Pressing "Q" will still bring up your quest log.

Thus, is Torchlight. Familiar, yet new. I'm having a lot of fun so far. In closing, Torchlight II has been announced along with a proposed MMO based in the universe. Good luck, Runic Games! It's a brave new world out there!

Now, if you'll excuse me... I need to sleep.