Torchlight II

Torchlight II is a hack and slash action role-playing game developed by Runic Games, released for Windows on September 20, 2012: it was later released for Mac OS and Linux in 2015, and Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4 and Xbox One in 2019. The sequel to 2009's Torchlight, it features peer-to-peer multiplayer support and extended modding capabilities.


 * Gameplay

Like the original Torchlight, Torchlight II features randomly generated dungeons for the player to explore, and numerous monsters to fight for experience and loot. Torchlight II has the same basic gameplay as its predecessor, but features overland areas with multiple hub towns, and a longer campaign. Other new features include time of day cycles, weather effects and a redesigned user interface. Players are able to customize character appearance with choice of sex, face, hair style and hair color. Several elements from the first game return, such as pets (now with expanded options and basic customization available) and fishing. A retirement system was originally planned, similar or identical to the one in the first game, but was replaced with the current newgame+ mode.


 * Character classes

The game features four playable character classes: the Engineer (formerly known as the Railman) is a heavy melee fighter who uses ember-powered steampunk technology; the Outlander is a wandering nomad who uses ranged weapons and "low magic"; the Berserker uses quick attacks and animal-themed special powers; and the Embermage is a highly trained spell-casting class with elemental attacks. The three classes from the original Torchlight do not return as playable characters, and are instead presented in the game world as NPCs.


 * Multiplayer

As stated in the trailer for Torchlight II, Runic games have announced that they "heard their [the fans'] pleas" and criticism concerning the fact that Torchlight was a lonely experience without co-op. In addition to single-player mode, an all-new cooperative multiplayer mode has been added, supporting both internet and LAN play. Each multiplayer game can host up to 6 players, and loot drops separately for each player. Optional PvP (player versus player) has been confirmed by Runic.


 * Plot

Years after the end of the original Torchlight, the Alchemist (a playable character in the first game) becomes corrupted by the Ember Blight coming from the Heart of Ordrak, the evil being who had been the source of the corruption under the town of Torchlight, and then destroys the town. The player character takes on a quest to stop this villain, who is using Ordrak's power to disturb the balance between the world's six elements.

As the game progresses, the player treks across large geographical areas, corresponding to three "acts" of the story and an epilogue. Act I, Wake of the Alchemist, is set in the mountainous Estherian Steppes, and Act II takes the player to a desert known as the Mana Wastes, and Act III takes place in Grunnheim, a haunted forest that contains the ruins of an ancient dwarven civilization. An Imperial Camp serves as the player's town.