Difficulty:

Easy

Time Spent:

10 to 20 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Old-school"

In what I'm sure was a calculated effort, Runic Games played things very safe in making this game. Torchlight 2 is likely the least innovative sequel I've ever played. There is nothing really new, but everything that was in the original is back in spades. For people who can't get enough loot and level, there will be plenty to enjoy. For people who have not historically enjoyed the Torchlight or Diablo, there really isn't any effort to draw you in.

For me, I have enjoyed the game so far. The near constant leveling and loot collecting are fun. I find the game to be very easy on the normal mode, being able to just hold right mouse on many bosses to defeat them. However, trying the harder difficulties, I found the game to be annoying as enemies health get bigger and they take longer to kill, but they do not require any additional strategy (i.e. I used the same attacks to kill them). If I am mentally fatigued from a stressful day, the simplicity of advancing in Torchlight 2 can be cathartic. In my mind, the game fails to be anything more though. All the thinking is in which loot to wear and skills to use, but once you're set up, the actual gameplay is stupidly simple and the story is a throw-away.

In summary, Torchlight 2 is a known quantity. Since there is nothing really new or drastically different, it is near impossible that Runic will offend any of the series fans. On the other hand, it also is impossible that this game will impress anyone who cared less for Torchlight/Diablo/etc. Torchlight 2 is not ambitious, innovative, or inspiring. It is however, consistent, reliable, and safe. It it not the type of game for a hot fling, but one many people could happily be married to for quite a long time. Your enjoyment will vary based on which type of game you're looking for.