Overview
Torchlight II is Runic Games' follow-up to their 2009 breakout dungeon-crawler, and it improves on the original in almost every way that counts. The game keeps the fast, satisfying loot loop of its predecessor but wraps it in a much larger world, with overland areas connecting multiple hub towns instead of funneling players through a single underground dungeon. The result is an action RPG that feels genuinely expansive without losing the pick-up-and-play quality that made the first game so addictive.
The campaign runs considerably longer than the original, taking players through varied biomes and enemy types before reaching the endgame. Randomized dungeons ensure that no two runs feel identical, and New Game Plus mode keeps the difficulty scaling for players who want to push their builds to the limit. Pets return from the first game and still serve a practical purpose, carrying loot back to town so you can keep clearing rooms without interruption.
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Classes and build depth
The game offers four playable classes, each with three skill trees that allow for meaningful customization within the class fantasy:
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- Embermage: ranged spellcaster with elemental attacks
- Outlander: ranged physical damage and traps
- Berserker: fast melee with crit-focused combat
- Engineer: tank-style fighter with summonable bots
Character appearance is fully customizable at creation, with options for sex, face shape, hairstyle, and hair color. The skill tree structure rewards experimentation, and because respeccing is available (with some limitations), players can course-correct a build without starting over entirely. The combination of four classes and three trees each gives the game a high ceiling for theorycrafting.
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Is Torchlight II good for co-op?
Yes, and it's one of the better co-op action RPGs available across platforms. Online multiplayer supports up to 4 players, and the game handles loot distribution in a way that keeps sessions from devolving into arguments over drops. The overland structure means co-op groups can explore more freely than in strictly linear dungeon-crawlers. On consoles, online play requires the platform's standard subscription service, but the core co-op experience translates well to controller.
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Content and replayability
Torchlight II's staying power comes from the combination of randomized dungeons, multiple viable builds per class, and New Game Plus scaling. The Steam version has benefited from years of community modding support through the Steam Workshop, adding new classes, items, and quality-of-life changes that extend the game well beyond its base content. Console versions offer the core experience without mod support, but the base game alone provides dozens of hours before replayability starts to feel repetitive.
Fishing returns as a side activity, letting players catch creatures that can be transformed into temporary combat pets. It's a small touch, but it adds texture to the world and gives completionists something to chase outside of gear optimization. For fans of action RPGs who want a loot-driven game with genuine build variety and a well-paced campaign, Torchlight II holds up as one of the genre's most accessible and replayable entries.