Mr. Tact wrote on Aug 27, 2012, 21:31:
Countdown Link

Cmon surprise PAX release!!!!!

Countdown Link

Optional Nickname! wrote on Aug 26, 2012, 11:59:
However, the addition of STEAMDRM with TL2 might lessen the enthusiasm of the modders and buyers, but the spectacular failure of D3 might turn many to TL2 who might not have even considered it.

Huh? From what I've read TL2 is like TL1, an independent .exe file with a key-checking DRM and that's it. SteamDRM is only for those who get it through Steam.

Much like Torchlight I, Torchlight II will thrive with the addition of HOTSPOT:

Did they originally say they were going to use steam workshop, or was that wishful thinking on my part? Might be the latter...

Much like Torchlight I, Torchlight II will thrive with the addition of HOTSPOT: (use internet searching if link does not work)

http://www.runicgamesfansite.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=698

HOTSPOT is a mod aggregator/HQ that gave the TL1 player easy access to any and all user created mods. Often it was just a one-click operation to get that fancy mod installed and working. With conflict detection and auto-updating, HOTSPOT (now in version 2 specifically for TL2) negates most complaints about TL's somewhat vanilla and sparse content.

Oblivion out-of-the-box compared to Oblivion with 200+ mods installed with the OBMM (Oblivion Mod Manager) is barely able to be considered the same game. Torchlight is similar in that aspect, the ability to specifically tailor the game to your preferences makes for a much better experience.

However, the addition of STEAMDRM with TL2 might lessen the enthusiasm of the modders and buyers, but the spectacular failure of D3 might turn many to TL2 who might not have even considered it.

All this in an attempt to recapture the magic of D2...

JohnBirshire wrote on Aug 25, 2012, 23:48:
I tried to get into Torchlight, but it just felt too "cartoony" for me.

There's already a mod that can change that.

Yes, in TL2, you can do modding. Runic will provide the tools with the release of the game.

See this question from user, and response from the developer.

adanperin wrote:

drepanaspis wrote:
I was wondering how far we can go with the modding, so I have a few questions:

1. Can we change the textures in a dark and gritty way to replace the cartoony style into a more gothic style?
2. Is it possible to build new overworld areas and connect them to the already existing ones?
3. Can an experienced modder go wild and build things like an act 5, or a storyline himself?
4. Can we build various aspects of pvp based games in TL2 like team deathmatch, or capture the flag?
5. Can we alter stuff in such a way that we can make act 1 the desert act if we want?

That´s all of them, I´d be happy if someone could answer them

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. You can definitely do things like make new skills for PVP and even possibly find a way to do some sort of collection/flag capture thing (not going to be easy to accomplish), but taking PVP mechanics too far is going to be a bit rougher as they pretty basic at the moment so there isn't too much to build on. That being said there is always a chance they will get more robust post launch or some really really clever modded will find some way.
5. Yes

eunichron wrote on Aug 26, 2012, 00:19:

Just look at GW2 for instance, people are loving it, it's getting rave reviews all over the place. I'm loving it. Yet it is absolutely nothing like GW1, but you don't see anyone complaining that it's not GW1, or that it's "traitorous". That's just fucking ridiculous to think that every sequel should be exactly the same as its predecessor.

No one is complaining? No one? Seriously?
I've actually seen several complaints, even some here on Blues, about it being so different from GW1.
Granted, I didn't really like GW1 that much, but I will admit I have enjoyed what I've played of GW2, so this change certainly doesn't bother me.
But to say that you don't see anyone complaining isn't quite true.

Truthfully, nothing holds a candle to Titan Quest + Immortal Throne but I don't think THQ is ever going to revive that apart from doing some retarded Dungeon Siege 3 remake.

Grim Dawn is a long way from release and nothing else seems to be rushing to fill the ARPG niche.

That said, I actually enjoyed TL1 for what it was and preordered TL2 based on the things they are improving. I agree that TL1 wasn't much more than an amalgamation of Fate, Diablo 1 and a couple other ARPG ideas, but I don't think they ever advertised it as anything else.

TL2 seems to be a much more serious effort. I hope Runic has the idea of making an MMO firmly out of their minds and stick to making these types of games.

Icewind wrote on Aug 25, 2012, 23:25:
Diablo 3 is such a disaster and so traitorous to its first two games that it can't even compete with a half-assed unmodded clone like out-of-the-box TL1.

This line of thinking makes no sense to me. Why would you want just another Diablo 2 clone? Didn't you get enough of Diablo 2 when it was Diablo 2 and not something else?

Just look at GW2 for instance, people are loving it, it's getting rave reviews all over the place. I'm loving it. Yet it is absolutely nothing like GW1, but you don't see anyone complaining that it's not GW1, or that it's "traitorous". That's just fucking ridiculous to think that every sequel should be exactly the same as its predecessor.

On that note, TL1 bored the shit out of me, as did the TL2 beta, and I seriously question some of their design decisions. I can see why people would enjoy it, but it's still just a half-assed clone like TL1 was.

Yakubs wrote on Aug 25, 2012, 23:53:
I haven't tried TL2 but I have a hard time believing the improvements are really that earth-shattering.

They are, it's night and day for most things except the art style. I disliked TL1 but TL2 is pretty good and revives that ARPG addiction feeling I haven't had since D2.

What was there to LIKE about Torchlight 1? I don't get it. Character classes were boring, items were boring, levels were INCREDIBLY boring (samey linear corridors with, like, 2 enemy types per area type), it was too easy (until you turn up the difficulty to the top and they just inflate the enemy HP and damage to retarded levels, exactly the WRONG kind of difficulty), the art style was childish.

Ugh. I'd rather play D3, to be honest, and I really don't like D3.

I haven't tried TL2 but I have a hard time believing the improvements are really that earth-shattering.

I tried to get into Torchlight, but it just felt too "cartoony" for me.

Annex wrote on Aug 25, 2012, 22:22:

dj LiTh wrote on Aug 25, 2012, 22:18:
Regardless of d3....how could anyone enjoy TL1? Honestly that game was pure crap compared to the thousand other Diablo CRPG clones out there

I disagree with your opinion, as im sure everyone else who really liked Torchlight.

In a way the guy makes sense, but if you played with a lot of mods like I (and many others) did, it made it a very enjoyable and long lasting game. I especially loved the Paladin class, complete with Diablo 2 aura spells.

The thing is, as mediocre as "vanilla" TL1 was, if you compare it to Diablo 3 it's a modern masterpiece of game design. Diablo 3 is such a disaster and so traitorous to its first two games that it can't even compete with a half-assed unmodded clone like out-of-the-box TL1.

Since TL2 will have deeper systems, more challenge and a better story I'd say you're better off playing that than anything else right now.

Prez wrote on Aug 25, 2012, 18:46:
Torchlight was flawed but still awesome. Can't wait for TL2. But I have to say that I am sick of the "Announcing there will be an announcement about a future announcement!!!" crap that is so prevalent these days.

The TL2 beta was pretty Fing awesome. I enjoyed it much more than the D3 beta (they were a week apart), not even including the D3 log in issues. Gameplay, skill tree, mechanics, etc. were superior, IMO.

As for announcements about announcements, we're encouraging their behavior by waxing poetic on this 28 comment thread.

Can you specify which ones you though where better, or even anywhere close?

I loved the gameplay in T1 a whole lot. Story was shit, but they where pretty clear about it being a test run for what was to come. The T2 beta was completely awesome and much more in line with D2 than D3 ever was.

I didn't really like Torchlight, the skills and weapons were pretty boring. I liked some of the ideas they had but I played it for a day or two and forgot about it quickly. This game looks a lot better though, an actual overworld, quests and story to dive into. The skill tree seems a lot more fleshed out too.

dj LiTh wrote on Aug 25, 2012, 22:18:
Regardless of d3....how could anyone enjoy TL1? Honestly that game was pure crap compared to the thousand other Diablo CRPG clones out there

I disagree with your opinion, as im sure everyone else who really liked Torchlight.

Regardless of d3....how could anyone enjoy TL1? Honestly that game was pure crap compared to the thousand other Diablo CRPG clones out there

Slashman wrote on Aug 25, 2012, 19:52:

1AngryGamer wrote on Aug 25, 2012, 19:13:
Torchlight was for 12 year olds. I doubt this will be any better

Who was D3 for?

Special Needs 12 year olds

I spent more time playing, and had more fun, with Torchlight in the first two weeks after it came out than I have had with Diablo III since release.

Pretty much my experience, too.