WithDiablo 4currently in development over at Blizzard, fans of the ARPG looter are itching for the chance to dive into more dungeons and hack their way through monsters all in the pursuit of loot. With no definitive release date yet, fans of the franchise will probably have plenty of time to explore other games before its eventual release.
The influence of theDiablofranchise is hard to understate, and many other games in the genre take heavy inspiration from the Blizzard series. WithDiablo 4on the horizon, many eager fans are looking for things to whet their appetite for loot. Luckily there are some great games available now for players to sink their teeth into.
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Hades
After its releaseHadesquickly became one of the most popular games of 2020. It’s also thehighest-reviewed game on Steamfor the year. The story of the game is steeped in Greek mythology much the way that theDiablogames are in Abrahamic mythology, and the isometric action-packed gameplay is reminiscent of the absurd action ofDiablo 3.Hades' progression is based on acquiring more and more equipment like different boons that augment players' combat capabilities much the wayDiablo 3’srune system works. The game’s blistering difficulty also appeals to fans ofDiablothat like to crank up the difficulty to Torment and beyond.
Currently available on PC and Switch,Hadesis a great place to scratch the itch for high intensity ARPG gameplay. Luckily for players on other consoles though, it is rumored that the gamemight be coming to Xbox Game Pass.
Torchlight 2
Coming in next isTorchlight 2, another ARPG very much in theDiablovein. The game’s development team includes members who worked on the first twoDiablogames. What setsTorchlightapart is its cartoonish visuals, a far cry from the stark medieval tone ofDiablo,and its steampunk setting. The game also supports a broad modding community, harkening back to the early days ofDiablo 2. While there is a third game in the franchise, many players holdTorchlight 2in higher regard than its successor. Another fun romp hacking, slashing, and blasting away,Torchlight 2is a good way to kill time while waiting for the nextbig update forDiablo 4at Blizzcon 2021.
Torchlight 2is available on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One
Divinity: Original Sin 2
While it has some major gameplay differences fromDiablo,Divinity: Original Sin 2shares much the same spirit as theDiablofranchise. Featuring more tactical turn-based gameplay,Divinityoffers a huge berth of character customization options and a very robust story. The heart of the progression system is similar toDiabloas players expand their abilities by leveling up and empowering their characters through acquisition of more andmore powerful weaponsand gear.
OverallDivinity: Original Sin 2is a great way for players to shake up the formula while they wait forDiablo 4.Divinity: Original Sin 2has an incredible amount of depth for players who want to dig into it and the multitude of possible choices in both the story and character creation encourage multiple playthroughs. The inclusion oflocal co-op in the gameis another similarity withDiablo 3and adds even more replayability to an already great formula.
Divinity 2is available on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
Path of Exile
Path of Exileshares a lot in common withDiablo. PoEis set in a dark, medieval fantasy world and features isometric ARPG combat, both qualities fans ofDiablowill find familiar. An expansive skill system lets players choose from seven different character classes and then empower them through a network of active and passive skill trees. Emphasizing character choice, the classes are not limited to obtaining skills tied to attributes that aren’t tied directly to their class. The inventory system inPoEis unique partly because the game eschews traditional currency systems. There is no one unified currency but rather a multitude of differentcurrencies that are expandedas expansions roll out for the game.
But for many players the best thing aboutPoEis simple, the game is free. Released back in 2013,Path of Exilecontinues to be a free-to-play game on Steam. But despite its seven year tenure,Path of Exileis still being supported with new patches and expansions even now in 2020. One of the most recent updates addedheists to the formula, expanding on an already large game and showing that developer Grinding Gears Games is still supporting thePath of Exilecommunity.
Path of Exileis available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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Diablo 3
The currently available iteration ofDiablois still worth playing eight years later. The core of the gameplay loop is still satisfying now and for any players who have yet to explore the game it is absolutely packed with content. Its current form is jam-packed with locations to explore, monsters to slay, and loot to obtain. The core of the adventure remains fun, as players fight their way across Sanctuary to battle Diablo and the other Evils. Combat is fast paced but still tactical as players build the best versions of their characters possible through skill customization and acquisition of new gear. Blizzard has done a great job of keeping the game updated and fresh since its original release with expansions like the Reaper of Souls and new characterslike the Necromancer.
Seasonal content also helps keep players engaged. In eachnew season ofDiablo 3, Blizzard adds new challenges for players to undertake. Resetting a character or starting a new one at first level, players fight through the story or adventure mode to complete challenges that reward them with cosmetics like new pets and pennants or powerful new set-piece gear. It’s a great way to rope in new players and keep long-time looters engaged with the game. And the local co-op, afeature brought into the console releaseofDiablo 3,also goes a long way to provide fun experiences in Sanctuary even eight years later.
Diablo 3is available for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
WithDiablo 4an undetermined amount of time away, many players are looking for similar experiences to slake the thirst for RPG action. Luckily for these players there are a good number of great games to help bide the time. Waiting forDiablo 4is a daunting taskalready, but these games can help alleviate the wait.
Diablo 4is in development for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
