Torchlight III

Torchlight III is a fantasy action RPG and hack-and-slash sequel in the beloved Torchlight series. Set in the vibrant world of Novastraia, players embark on epic quests to defend against invading forces and ancient evils using customizable heroes with distinct skill trees. Featuring multiplayer co-op, dynamic dungeons, and mythical creatures like goblins, this 2020 release by Echtra Inc. blends loot-driven gameplay with strategic character progression across varied environments.

Torchlight III: Review

Torchlight III, the third installment in the beloved Torchlight series, has a storied legacy that dates back to its predecessors, Torchlight and Torchlight II. Developed by Echtra Games and published by Perfect World Entertainment, Torchlight III was released in October 2020, marking a significant milestone in the action RPG genre. However, the road to its release was fraught with changes in direction, technological constraints, and a shifting gaming landscape. This review will delve into the game’s development history, narrative, gameplay mechanics, world-building, reception, and ultimately, its place in video game history.

Development History & Context

The Torchlight series has its roots in the minds of industry veterans who had previously worked on iconic dungeon crawlers like Diablo and Hellgate: London. Runic Games, the original developer of Torchlight, was founded by Max Schaefer, Erich Schaefer, and Peter Hu, all of whom had experience with Flagship Studios’ Mythos, an action RPG with significant MMO components. When Flagship Studios closed in 2008, the team decided to “finish what they started” with Mythos, but with a fresh approach.

Torchlight, released in 2009, was a single-player game that laid the groundwork for the series. It was followed by Torchlight II in 2012, which introduced cooperative play. Perfect World Entertainment invested heavily in Runic Games, aiming to develop a Torchlight MMO. However, the departure of co-founders Travis Baldree and Erich Schaefer in 2014 led to a shift in focus. Max Schaefer left Runic Games to form Echtra Games, securing the rights to the Torchlight IP and setting the stage for Torchlight III.

Torchlight Frontiers, initially announced in 2018, was envisioned as a shared-world ARPG with MMO-like features. However, feedback from alpha testers and internal discussions led to a pivot. In January 2020, Torchlight Frontiers was rebranded as Torchlight III, dropping the free-to-play model in favor of a premium title. The game was released on Steam in early access on June 13, 2020, and officially launched on October 13, 2020.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Torchlight III is set 100 years after the events of Torchlight II, with Novastraia once again under threat from the Netherim and their allies. The story is lighthearted and humorous, with a focus on whimsical characters and absurd names. The narrative serves as a backdrop to the gameplay, with the tone being more important than the plot itself.

The game is divided into three acts, each with its own unique environmental theme and enemy types. The first act focuses on goblin hordes, the second on poisonous environments, and the third on electrical threats. This structure provides a sense of progression and variety, but the story itself is shallow and clichéd. The dialogue is often humorous, but it lacks depth and emotional resonance. The characters are archetypal, and the quests are repetitive, failing to deliver any meaningful world-building or character development.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Torchlight III is an isometric, top-down action RPG that combines fast-paced combat with a variety of weapons, magic spells, and skills. Players can choose from four classes: Dusk Mage, Forge, Railmaster, and Sharpshooter, each with unique resource balancing and playstyles. The game features a dual skill tree system and a relic system that allows for further customization.

Combat is engaging and satisfying, with a wide range of skills and abilities to choose from. However, the game suffers from a lack of innovation and depth. The skill trees are restrictive, and the combat can feel repetitive after a while. The loot system is the game’s primary reward mechanism, with a vast array of equipment, pets, potions, and resources to collect. The transmogrification mechanic allows players to customize their character’s appearance, adding a layer of personalization.

The fort-building system is a new addition to the series, allowing players to create and customize their own home base. This system is underutilized, however, and feels more like a decorative feature than a meaningful gameplay mechanic. The multiplayer mode is also lacking, with no public matchmaking and a clunky party system.

The user interface is clean and intuitive, with all necessary information easily accessible. However, the game suffers from technical issues, including bugs, glitches, and performance problems, especially on the Nintendo Switch. The economy feels barebones, with a lack of market and higher-level gear salesman, making the grind for loot feel tedious and unrewarding.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Torchlight III’s world is a vibrant, high-fantasy setting filled with colorful environments and whimsical creatures. The art style is cartoony and exaggerated, with a focus on bright colors and grotesque character designs. The environments are varied, with each act featuring its own unique aesthetic. However, the level design is repetitive, with recycled dungeons and linear structures that fail to evolve from previous entries in the series.

The sound design is functional but forgettable, with impactful sound effects and atmospheric touches. The music is repetitive and underwhelming, failing to leave a lasting impression. The voice acting is adequate but unremarkable, with inconsistent quality and underdeveloped dialogue. The game’s audio elements support the gameplay and atmosphere but lack originality and memorability.

Reception & Legacy

Torchlight III received mixed reviews upon its release, with critics praising its accessible gameplay and charming art style but criticizing its lack of innovation and technical issues. The game was unanimously deemed an inferior entry compared to its predecessors, with reviewers noting its formulaic structure and repetitive mechanics.

The game’s Metacritic scores reflect its mixed reception, with the PC version scoring 65/100, the PlayStation 4 version scoring 62/100, the Xbox One version scoring 68/100, and the Nintendo Switch version scoring 63/100. Critics noted that the game’s campaign was forgettable, its dungeons were cookie-cutter, and its multiplayer mode was frustrating.

Despite its flaws, Torchlight III has a dedicated fanbase who appreciate its nostalgic appeal and lighthearted gameplay. The game’s influence on subsequent titles is limited, but it serves as a reminder of the series’ legacy and the enduring appeal of the action RPG genre.

Conclusion

Torchlight III is a competent but unremarkable entry in the action RPG genre. It captures the charm and accessibility of its predecessors but fails to innovate or differentiate itself from the competition. The game’s lack of depth, repetitive mechanics, and technical issues hinder its long-term appeal, but it remains a enjoyable experience for fans of the genre. Its place in video game history is secure as a nostalgic choice for fans rather than a groundbreaking evolution, with its flaws overshadowing its positives in the eyes of many critics. Ultimately, Torchlight III is a safe, unambitious follow-up that falls short of its predecessors, but it still offers enough variety to satisfy fans of the series.