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Torchlight II

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Torchlight II
File:Torchlight2Logo.jpg
Game logo
Developer(s)Runic Games
Designer(s)Travis Baldree
Composer(s)Matt Uelmen[2]
SeriesTorchlight
EngineOGRE (heavily modified)[citation needed]
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Xbox Live Arcade[3], Mac OS X
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows
Mid 2012[1]
Genre(s)Action RPG
Mode(s)Single-player, Multiplayer[4]

Torchlight II is an upcoming action role-playing game developed by Runic Games. It is the sequel to Runic's 2009 ARPG, Torchlight, and features peer-to-peer multiplayer[4] support and extended modding capabilities. A release for Mac OS is planned for some time after the PC release.[6] Runic Games originally estimated the PC version's release date to be sometime in 2011,[7] but in November 2011 company president Travis Baldree announced the game release date would be pushed back to 2012 to allow time for further polishing and a beta test.[8]

Gameplay

Like the original Torchlight, Torchlight II will feature randomly-generated dungeons for the player to explore, and numerous types of monsters to fight for experience and loot. Torchlight II maintains the same basic gameplay as its predecessor, but features overland areas with multiple hub towns, and a longer campaign.[9] Other new features include time of day cycles, weather effects, and a redesigned user interface. Players will be able to customize character appearance with choice of gender, face, and hair style.[4] Additionally, several elements from the first game will be returning, such as pets, fishing, and a retirement system.[10]

Character classes

The game will feature four playable character classes. The Engineer (formerly known as the Railman)[11] is a heavy melee fighter who uses ember-powered steampunk technology; the Outlander is a wandering nomad who uses ranged weapons and "low magic."[4] The Berserker uses quick attacks and animal-themed special powers to kill everything in its path,[12] and the Embermage is a highly trained spell-casting class with elemental attacks.[13] The three classes from the original Torchlight do not return as playable characters, although they are present in the game world as NPCs.

Multiplayer

As stated in the trailer for Torchlight 2, Runic games have announced that they "heard their [the fans'] pleas" and criticism concerning the fact that Torchlight was a lonely experience without an apparently much needed co-op. Promised in the sequel will be an all new Co-operative play feature which will allow players to connect. Game modes include single-player and co-op multiplayer, supporting both internet and LAN play.[12] Runic has not yet decided on the maximum number of players per game, but Runic co-founder Max Schaefer stated that in their testing, groups of 2-4 players give the best experience.[9]

Plot

Years after the end of the original Torchlight, The Alchemist gets 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.[10]

As the game progresses, the player treks across large geographical areas, corresponding to three "acts" of the story and an epilogue.[14] Act I is set in the mountainous Estherian Steppes, and Act II takes the player to a desert known as the Mana Wastes.[10]

Development

Though the original Torchlight received positive reviews, the game's lack of any multiplayer modes was a near-universal criticism of the title by critics and fans alike.[5] Prior to the release of the first game, Runic Games had announced plans to develop an MMORPG set in the Torchlight game world to follow the release of the single player game.[15] However, in August 2010, Runic announced they were developing Torchlight II, a sequel which was conceived not only as a way to give the series multiplayer support, but also to give Runic "more experience with making a multiplayer Torchlight."[5] Some of the work on Torchlight II is intended to carry over to Runic Games' upcoming Torchlight MMORPG, which the company plans to focus on following the release of the sequel.[16]

In late 2010, Runic Games' increased involvement in the Xbox Live Arcade port of the first Torchlight game caused a delay in the development of the sequel, but memory and loading time optimizations developed for the port led to improvements in the PC version of Torchlight II.[17]

Unlike its predecessor, Torchlight II features cinematic sequences, which are being produced by Klei Entertainment, the developer of Eets and Shank.[12]

Closed beta

In May 2012, Runic Games announced that they would run a closed beta stress test from Friday, May 18 at 11:00 am PDT until Thursday, May 24 at 11:00 am PDT.[18][19] A limited number of beta keys were given out to users who had created their Runic Games account prior to the beta start date.

Availability

Torchlight II became available for pre-order through Steam in May 2012.[20][21] There are 2 available pre-order options: a single copy of the game and a 4-Pack edition which contains 4 copies of the the original Torchlight game and 4 copies of Torchlight II.

The Steam website lists "Summer 2012" as the game's release date, and "July 2012" when in a user's cart for pre-order.

References

  1. ^ "Torchlight II on Steam".
  2. ^ "Music of Torchlight II". Runic Games. 2011-05-06. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
  3. ^ "Torchlight 2 release date expected in July". New Game Network. 2011-02-09. Retrieved 2011-02-09.
  4. ^ a b c d Davies, Martin. "Torchlight 2 interview with Runic Games". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
  5. ^ a b c Graft, Kris. "Interview: Runic CEO On Torchlight II, Digital Strengths". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
  6. ^ "Torchlight II Mac version after PC, PC/Mac multiplayer a maybe". igameradio.com. 2010-08-10. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  7. ^ Biessener, Adam (2011-06-08). "Torchlight II: E3 2011 Hands-On Lives Up To Expectations". GameInformer. Retrieved 2011-06-09.
  8. ^ "An Update from Travis Baldree," Torchlight II official site
  9. ^ a b Garratt, Patrick (2011-01-07). "Interview: Runic's Max Schaefer on Torchlight and Torchlight II". VG247. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  10. ^ a b c ""About the Game - Torchlight II by Runic Games"". Runic Games. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
  11. ^ Dutton, Fred (2011-08-04). "Torchlight 2 is too big for XBLA". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2011-08-04.
  12. ^ a b c Schramm, Mike (2011-06-08). ""Torchlight 2 preview: Embers only"". Joystiq.com. Retrieved 2011-06-08.
  13. ^ McGee, Maxwell (2011-08-28). ""PAX 2011: Torchlight II Embermage Abilities Preview"". Gamespot. Retrieved 2011-08-28.
  14. ^ Onyett, Charles (2011-06-08). "E3 2011: Slashing Through Torchlight II". IGN.com. Retrieved 2011-08-28.
  15. ^ Leigh Alexander (2009-05-04). "Interview: Runic Games' Schaefer Goes In-Depth On Torchlight". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  16. ^ Biessener, Adam (2010-08-19). "Torchlight II GamesCom Trailer & Hands-On". GameInformer. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  17. ^ Sines, Shawn (2011-01-07). "Exclusive Interview: Torchlight 360 & Torchlight 2 with Runic's Max Schaefer". Gamefront.com. Retrieved 2011-01-11.
  18. ^ "Torchilight II Beta Stress Test Weekend". 17-05-2012. Retrieved 31-05-2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  19. ^ "Torchlight II - Beta Update: Closing this Thursday". 22-05-2012. Retrieved 31-05-2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  20. ^ "Torchlight II Available for Pre-Order!". 26-04-2012. Retrieved 31-05-2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
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