Games

Best of 2009 | 08 |07 | 06 | 05
Advanced Search

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Torchlight

EMAIL PRINT pc

9.0 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 49 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 208 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >

Game Info

Publisher: Runic Games

Developer: Runic Games

Genre(s): Action, Role-Playing Game

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: RP (Rating Pending)

Release Date: October 27, 2009

Summary

Ember is the essence of magic and the keystone of alchemy; it lures the restless with promises of power and riches. Miners burrowed deep beneath the dirt streets of Torchlight, discovering veins of the ore richer than any found in living memory- but they were not the first to covet these mines. The miners from Torchlight broke through into the buried past, a dangerous labyrinth of caverns and ruined civilizations, twisted creatures and the bones of those who came before. Evil bubbles up from the depths and threatens to overrun Torchlight as it has so many others. The heart of a villain has infused the Ember, and his darkness seeps through the veins. [Runic Games]

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

GameShark

You may not have heard of it, but you owe it to yourself to play this game.

Read Full Review >

100

1UP

Even without multiplayer, Torchlight makes for a remarkably entertaining 10 to 15 hours, with plenty more custom content to come thanks to the powerful game editor TorchED, which you can download free of charge. Even if you aren't waiting impatiently for Diablo III, Torchlight's a great value at a mere $20.

Read Full Review >

My Gamer

The game is simply worth it, and PC gamers should definitely check it out.

Read Full Review >

GamingExcellence

Torchlight doesn't really do anything new, per se. It's taken the dungeon-crawling genre and refined it to its best elements.

Read Full Review >

Game Revolution

It's just too damn much content for such a low amount of money and it's sure to satisfy that crawly itch for loot-hunting and hoarding, even up 'til Diablo III.

Read Full Review >

Gaming Nexus

A fantastic action RPG for a bargain price. This is exactly what indie titles should be.

Read Full Review >

PC PowerPlay

A reminder that games can be simple and satisfying all at once. A triumph of focused, self-consistent design. [Jan 2010, p.84]

Total PC Gaming

We hope you've saved the mighnight oil, you won't be getting much sleep after this. [Issue#28, p.9]

Gamers' Temple

Some gamers may be disappointed to hear that there's no multiplayer option in the game, but there's so much fun to be had in the dark reaches under Torchlight that you won't really mind.

Read Full Review >

GamePro

With fast-paced combat, a distinct atmosphere, a variety of options to help you explore the dungeons, and a recession-friendly $20 price, Torchlight is a wonderful choice for gamers looking to tide them over until Diablo 3. Just don't be surprised if you find this appetizer to be just as satisfying as a full meal.

Read Full Review >

DarkStation

Torchlight is a great downloadable title that should not be missed by anyone who enjoyed the Diablo titles, or anyone looking to get into the game type because they will have a lot of fun with this game.

Read Full Review >

Armchair Empire

In the end, Torchlight is a very solid dungeon exploring action RPG.

Read Full Review >

RPGamer

With phenomenal music and great art direction, combined with an addictive combat system, it's hard to step away from the keyboard and mouse after the first floor.

Read Full Review >

PC Gamer UK

An addictive, attractive, thoughtfully made dungeon crawler. But it could have taken some risks. [Christmas 2009, p.114]

Cheat Code Central

Runic hasn't dumbed down the experience, they've removed the fluff and distilled it down to the truly fun parts. Add in a few innovations and what you've got is Torchlight; a game that raises the expectations for dungeon-crawling action RPGs by being not just fine-tuned but affordable as well.

Read Full Review >

Game Informer

The core of the game is its combat and character progression, and both of those are outstanding. Torchlight might not be breaking any new ground, but the soul of Diablo hasn't been so ably captured in years. You won't find much that approaches Torchlight's worth at its $20 price point.

Read Full Review >

HellBored

It’s extremely easy to sit down intending to play for a few minutes, only to look up and see that two hours has gone by. The few balance and graphical issues really don’t detract that much from what is as solid a first release as you could hope for from a new company. Torchlight is ambitious, well-executed and, most of all, some of the best fun PC gamers can get for the price.

Read Full Review >

Gamers.at

Torchlight is a surprise hit. Despite boring surroundings and few heroes the game is a lot of fun.

Read Full Review >

IGN

The graphics are great, the music engrossing, and the gameplay addictive. While the lack of multiplayer at first tastes bitter, the single-player campaign more than makes up for it, as you really have little to lose at the meager asking price of $20.

Read Full Review >

Strategy Informer

Torchlight should hold a vast amount of appeal for many people. If you’ve been weaned on the likes of WoW and want something to take on the road: this is for you; and if you fell in love with Diablo or Titan Quest and want to sample the likely direction in which Diablo III will head: don’t hesitate, just buy. In fact, that holds true for all of you. Stop reading this, and go support one of the best PC games you’ll play this year.

Read Full Review >

Gamer Limit

With great combat, superb artwork, and an astounding soundtrack, Torchlight is a very solid experience. But the lack of multiplayer prevents it from being truly excellent.

Read Full Review >

Gamervision

No matter what people call it, the game is a simple, masterfully crafted title that shouldn’t be ignored, and with the incredibly well optimized system specifications, a $20 price tag, and an imminent OSX port, it’s a game that should be purchased by anyone with a working mouse. God knows you’ll need it.

Read Full Review >

GamingTrend

If you're looking for the next great hack-and-slash, Torchlight is this year's finest.

Read Full Review >

PC Games (Germany)

Fast, intuitive, colourful fun! The best singleplayer Diablo clone in years!

Read Full Review >

GameTrailers

Torchlight applies a smooth and modern design to a time-tested concept. The result is successfully crafted and eminently playable dungeon crawler at the attractive price of 20 bucks. The one downer is the puzzling lack of online play.

Read Full Review >

2404.org

This is a game that does hack and slash real justice and it’s a the perfect choice for those eagerly waiting the release of Diablo 3.

Read Full Review >

Computer Games Online RO

All in all, if you ignore the obvious drawbacks – I feel compelled to repeat that Torchlight would have won a lot if it had any form of multiplayer in it – the title at hand managed to reproduce the Diablo recipe succesfully.

Read Full Review >

ZTGameDomain

Torchlight is homage to a simpler time in gaming, one that deserves all the positive word of mouth it has been gaining.

Read Full Review >

SpazioGames

Torchlight isn't the average Diablo clone. Developed by some of the guys behind the first to chapters of the original game, this is more likely a brilliant tribute to the king of the genre. Some flaws, like the lack of any kind of multiplayer and a mild difficulty level, won't spoil hours and hours of slashing fun, given away at a great price. Don't forget the editor, which is already giving its first results. If you're a genre fan don't miss this one.

Read Full Review >

Gamer.nl

Torchlight is the ultimate rival for Diablo. The game doesn't introduce something new to the genre, but that's forgiven by the atmosphere it provides and the Blizzard-like level of polish. Thanks to its small price tag and the addictive nature of the game, it comes highly recommended for everyone.

Read Full Review >

Game Over Online

Torchlight is proof positive that it’s often the simplest games that can be the most addictive.

Read Full Review >

GameStar

Torchlight is not just a clone of Diablo, it's a very good clone of Diablo, offered at a very low price. The game feels like a modern remake of Diablo, which is no big surprise, because it has been developed by former Blizzard employees Max and Erich Schaefer. The gameplay is so smooth it makes other games feel like work.

Read Full Review >

GameSpot

Torchlight is a great dungeon crawler with enjoyable combat and an excellent loot system.

Read Full Review >

GameSpy

At twenty dollars, Torchlight is a remarkable value.

Read Full Review >

Everyeye.it

Torchlight is good hack and slash game, a very nice Diablo, WoW and Fate mix with a solid gameplay. A must buy for all the dungeon crawler fans and all the peoples who are waiting the next Blizzard masterpiece, Diablo 3.

Read Full Review >

3DJuegos

Torchlight is a big surprise with a great work in gameplay, graphics and value. Runic triumphs with its debut because of an addictive proposal and engaging dungeon bash gameplay.

Read Full Review >

Giant Bomb

For the price, there's a huge value here. It's a great start for Runic.

Read Full Review >

Eurogamer

Even though there is nothing new or truly unique about Torchlight, nothing at all, that it so confidently and prettily takes the fight to Blizzard is an enormous compliment about how well put-together this is.

Read Full Review >

Eurogamer Italy

Someone could call it a “Diablo clone”, but truth is that it's the real Diablo's son we've been waiting for a long time. Respectful of its parents, Torchlight creates a lovely experience through sparkling landscapes, giving new life to the “mouse smashing gameplay”. Its simplicity is worth its weight in gold.

Read Full Review >

Thunderbolt

Carrying the influence of several ex-Blizzard executives, some having oversight in the development of the first couple Diablo titles, Torchlight comes into its own as a recommended purchase and a good placeholder for Diablo III.

Read Full Review >

PC Format

A must-buy for RPG fans who can't wait any longer for Diablo III. [Jan 2010, p.92]

Multiplayer.it

A dungeon crawl like we haven't seen for so long: tons of enemies, loot and hours of fun. It won't be liked by anyone and the lack of a multiplayer mode is a shame, but a lot of gamers will like this Diablo 2 and Fate clone.

Read Full Review >

PC Zone UK

It ticks all the boxes that a loot lover could possibly want. [Jan 2010, p.80]

Absolute Games

You can’t deny the fact: Torchlight is a Diablo clone to the backbone. It lacks imagination and fresh ideas, but it’s a clone done well, with extra care for people’s time and nerves. And that’s worth a lot.

Read Full Review >

AceGamez

Let’s be honest though, at the price point Torchlight is retailing at, you really shouldn’t be expecting polish. Hell, if you’ve been lucky enough to pick it up at the ridiculous price it went for during some of the winter sales, you’ll get your value for money as long as it boots to the menu – and while it may not be polished, and may be missing a few things that will elevate it beyond Diablo, Torchlight is still undeniably good fun. Incredibly basic, pure, simple, primal fun. And I love it for it.

Read Full Review >

ImpulseGamer

I do recommend this game to those that simply love the traditional role-playing story. I also suggest it as a good starter game for those who have just been introduced to the genre and aren’t quite ready for the over elaborate UI systems that most RPGs tend to have.

Read Full Review >

LEVEL (Czech Republic)

Maybe a too cautious imitation of Diablo which brings the same amount of enemy-infested, randomly generated levels as its paragon. A major flaw of Torchlight is the absence of a multiplayer mode. [Dec 2009]

Teletext GameCentral

It might be a clone but none have copied Diablo more expertly than this bargain-priced tribute.

Read Full Review >

Edge Magazine

Runic Games has created something bright and punchy, if a touch aimless, which makes up for the lack of personality (and multiplayer) with a beaming smile and lots of encouraging pats on the back. [Feb 2010, p.90]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 208 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jean B. gave it a9:
If you want a game to spend hours with fun. Play this game. We can feel the Diablo brothers in it.

Jack G. gave it an8:
Great fun, wasted many hours playing this game. Graphics are nice and colourfull never without something interesting to look at on this game. Great value for money here! :D

Simon L. gave it a9:
When I first started this game and I saw the inventory and all the resemblance to the "Diablo" franchise, I said to myself: "Let's play some Dia.. I mean Torchlight". The games are practivally identical. The game is quite long. As in Diablo 1, your walking down stairs. There are 35 floors and it takes around 20 minutes to complete one floor since the random level design. The gameplay is fantastic. It's practicly the same as in Diablo and Diablo 2 but with some additions like the spellbar and just walking over coins to pick it up.(Note both of these features were announced for Diablo 3) The storyline is not close as good as in Diablo. No wonder though. This game is named Torchlight, but as much resemblance it has with the Diablo franchise, it would have made a great name as "Diablo 2.5".

Ribblet gave it a9:
The game play is excellent. Even the music mimics that of Diablo, but with better graphics. I love dungeon crawling, so this is perfect. Would have scored a 10 if it had multi-player. Great game for the price. I would recommend it to anybody that likes Diablo.

Macca gave it a9:
Torchlight is firstly, a great game if you fancy something to pick up and play for an hour or two and feel a sense of doing something worthwile. Sure, it can be somewhat repetitive in its dungeon crawling ways, but it's pace makes up for that. As for having no multiplayer as some reviewers have stated, well, we all know this, but one thing to remember is that the developers are in the midst of making this title into an MMO, which could end up being a very nice game if it manages to do it before Diablo 3 is released - or after. I feel if they attempt it whilst D3 is out there, they may end up failing to bring the game to the market it deserves. If you are a fan of hack'n'slash, then you have to buy this game, if not, give it a go anyway, it's very user friendly and has a very intuative user interface with an easy learning curve. The only other suggestion I would say is don't play it on anything less than the Hard setting as normal and easy are ridiculously easy with no challenge whatsoever - at any stage of the game.

Ove M. gave it a9:
This game is amazing! Tons of items to find and use, tons of quests and tons of dungeons to explore! It plays the same as the first Diablo. One town and a dungeon beneath the town to explore. The skill system is also very cool. You choose between three tabs with lots of skills in each. There are also 3 classes. This is a must for hacknslash fans!

Matt N. gave it a9:
Great game, would of been better if it had multiplayer of some sort.

Games

Sony

Microsoft

Nintendo

Other Platforms

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Torchlight

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases