When you look at Runic Games' Torchlight 2, it's hard not to think of Diablo 3. Understandable since both games are dungeon-crawlers that emphasizes loot and grinding for levels.
Also worth mentioning in case you still don't know it by now, Runic was founded by developers from Blizzard North — yes, the same Blizzard North that developed Diablo 1 and 2.
In saying all that, the comparisons should be expected and it's not lost on Runic Games CEO Max Schaefer.
In an interview with IGN, Schaefer was asked what he thought of Diablo 3 in comparison to his game.
They've actually put out a significant product there. But what I think we're offering something that some players may prefer, things like the offline single-player play. Basically, we're not trying to create a secure economy. We don't have to have these crazy protection mechanisms in place. We're giving our development tools out with the game so that the modding community can go crazy with it and make all kinds of cool new stuff.
While those aren't really a dig against Blizzard's multi-million selling game, Schaefer did offer a critique on Diablo 3's replayability. In Particular, how Torchlight 2 offers more.
I think that we also have, maybe, a longer game at this point. More randomization. A little bit more replayability. I think that Diablo III focused a little more on super-polished mechanics and balance and look and art direction. They're on a Blizzard level. They're seriously good. But it's at the expense, a little bit, of the replayability.
In case you think Schaefer is all smack talk, he does concede that with Diablo 3's development cycle of 10 years, the expectations of the Diablo community is going to be impossible to match.
I think they get a bad rap. Meeting the expectations of the Diablo community is going to be impossible. No matter what they do, it's been 10 years and the expectations have built up so much. They're going to run into criticism.
Of course, when comparing the two games, you have to factor in that Diablo 3 was priced at $60. while Torchlight 2 is coming out at $20. For a game that supposedly offers more replayability, that's a lot of value, no?
Do you agree with Schaefer's assessments or is he too biased in his statements? For those that are getting Torchlight 2 today, are you leaving Diablo 3 for your next loot-fix or is Blizzard's game still the one to beat?
