Formerly Torchlight Frontiers, Torchlight III for PC is a more traditional sequel to the original games, moving away from the original incarnation’s online-only focus. Set for release sometime in 2020, the third game retains the focus on the loot-driven isometric action-RPG gameplay where you’ll slay monsters and grow in power with your chosen class. Though it’s fully playable offline, it still features some of Frontiers’ more clever innovations, which come in the form of more in-depth online gameplay and opportunities for player creativity.
In the latest trailer for Torchlight III, we get to see the game’s newest feature known as Forts, which are player-made strongholds that can be customized and upgraded throughout your campaign. While it’s the space where you can improve your equipment, you can also decorate the space and fill it up with items found on your journey–much like how so many are amusing themselves in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Before the reveal, we had the chance to speak with project lead from Echtra Games, Tyler Thompson, about the game’s new feature, along with the reception from following the game’s re-reveal.
“The general reception to the reveal of the new name really took us by surprise,” said Thompson. “As we were developing the game, we saw that it was veering closer to a more traditional sequel, as opposed to the online game we were developing. It wasn’t a pressure [from above] type of thing, it just sort happened as we were working on the game. When we decided to reveal the new name sometime in January, we figured it was best to bundle many of the new changes we’ve made to the game alongside the announcement of the change. When we did all that, I gotta say it was a pleasant surprise to have such a positive response. In some ways, we don’t feel that the name change affected the game, the name change came after all [the work we did on Frontiers]. Some people make a big deal about it not being an MMO anymore, but we did that because we felt it wasn’t that fun, we had to make the game fun, and so we went to what worked with Torchlight, and we couldn’t be happier with the game.”
According to the developers, Forts are another vertical added to the game’s familiar power grind loop. While you can stick with the basics and focus on your loot-driven adventure, you’ll miss out on some of the game’s new mechanics. In addition to full customization of the interiors of the Fort, you’ll also be able to claim trophies and decorate your stronghold with artifacts and relics from downed bosses. Furthermore, you’ll also be able to build stables for your various pets. Like the previous games, pets can join you on your adventure, serving as both pack mule and combat companion.
Despite Torchlight III moving towards the original games, it still retains many of the more modern aspects from its online-only incarnation. Along with the persistent missions known contracts, Torchlight III’s take on the battle pass, you’ll also be able to journey into other player’s Forts to explore their creations. Rewards gained from online missions and contracts can earn you bonuses and other items to decorate your Forts, such as mannequins, which can hold outfits and armor. Speaking to Thompson further on strongholds, it’s a system that serves to not only flesh out the world but also get players to interact more with others online.
“One of the things we’ve found that has been pretty impactful for what we’ve done in this space is to make sure that you can run across other player’s Forts as you play through the world,” Thompson said. “We saw some streamers who treat it like another place for them to stuff items, but then they encounter other players who turned their Forts into some more. They almost immediately go, “well, I gotta go make my place good.” For players, right at the beginning, we start you out with a lot of stuff, but then we let you go from there. It’s yet another reward system for people to get into because every ARPG needs, and then we added in a lot of gameplay systems that help to complement your journey.”
Torchlight 3 looks to be shaping up to be a welcome revisit to a fun and satisfying ARPG, that stood as a more colorful alternative to the grim and violent Diablo series. It’s interesting to see how much the game has changed from its online-only predecessor, while still retaining many of its more inventive ideas for getting players to interact with one another on their respective adventures.
For more on Torchlight III, and what else is coming to the game in the months ahead toward its release, be sure to check back with GameSpot for more information as it comes in.
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