A lighter, casual spin on classic dungeon crawling
Torchlight III continues the action RPG series with a more streamlined, casual-friendly approach. Developed by Echtra Games, it moves away from the shared-world MMO concept of Torchlight Frontiers and returns to a familiar single-player and co-op format. With colorful visuals, pet companions, and a simplified skill system, it aims to offer a more approachable experience for newcomers to the genre.
Set in the world of Novastraia, you’ll fight back against a new Netherim threat using one of four unique classes. Combat is fast-paced and loot-driven, though longtime fans may notice a drop in depth compared to previous Torchlight titles. The focus is on accessibility—making it easy to jump into dungeons, gather gear, and push forward without worrying about complex builds or systems.
What is Torchlight III like to play?
The core loop is familiar: pick a class, clear out mobs, collect gear, and grow stronger. Each class—Dusk Mage, Forged, Railmaster, and Sharpshooter—offers distinct abilities, with basic branching skill trees that unlock as you level. Combat is straightforward, offering responsive feedback, especially when paired with signature weapons and flashy effects. While not deep, it delivers on moment-to-moment action.
Outside of battle, you’ll customize a personal fort, a hub space where you place decorations, crafting stations, and passive upgrades. It’s a fun addition, though mostly cosmetic. Pets return as loyal helpers who fight and haul loot, keeping the tone light and familiar. Online multiplayer supports up to four players, with difficulty scaling depending on party size.
For endgame, players can try Fazeer Shah’s Dun-Djinn, a tower-style mode with randomized challenges. There’s also a Contract system, a quest track that offers unlockable rewards. While these extend playtime, the overall progression system lacks the long-term hooks found in deeper ARPGs, and post-launch updates have slowed.
Fun, but falls short of its legacy
Torchlight III is easy to pick up and enjoyable in bursts, especially in co-op. Its vibrant art style, accessible gameplay, and nostalgic charm make it a good fit for casual ARPG fans. However, compared to its predecessors, it feels pared down—less intricate, less lasting. For some players, that tradeoff is welcome. For others, it may leave the adventure feeling a bit too safe.
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