Now that the recently completed beta is over, here are the best games to get rid of that dungeon crawler itch
Last weeks diablo 4 Beta has come and gone, and unless Blizzard decides (at the last minute) to host another before the June 6 release date, you’ll also have a chance to smash with the characters you created in , smash, loot and look damn sick the isometric RPG.
However, the Diablo series has amassed quite a following throughout its lifespan, and as such, a handful of studios have attempted to emulate its snappy combat, enticing loot grind, and deep character customization. Many have failed. Some have emerged as solid imitators. And others have stolen the franchise’s qualities and made them their own.
Because the action-RPG genre can take up so much time, we’ve taken the trouble to compile the top three options to dive into while you wait for Blizzard’s long-awaited sequel. Yes, you could just re-download your copy of Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls on any of the 49 platforms you own it on. And we wouldn’t blame you. The game is still awesome. But sometimes it’s fun to branch out. One of our recs is a premier entry in the vast collection of Warhammer 40,000 video games; another is a thrilling romp through a cartoonish world; The latter is completely free, but no less complex or rewarding.
Whether you’re wrapping yourself up in one of these through June 6th, or dabbling in each of them, each of the following ARPGs has its own unique take on the dungeon crawling and loot-gathering genre.
Warhammer 40K: Inquisitor – Martyr
Image: NeocoreGames
First, here is a recommendation with two birds and one stone. Warhammer 40K: Inquisitor – Martyr is not only an excellent ARPG in its own right, emulating Diablo’s simple combat, deep character development, and extensive crafting system – it’s also one of the best entries in the vast collection of Warhammer 40K video games.
Featuring multiple character classes, responsive ranged combat, an industrial-style cover system, and bulky loot, Inquisitor – Martyr is Diablo-like enough to scratch that itch, but Warhammer-y enough to have a distinct, grim tone. Its story is unforgettable, but its art direction and world design are a great way to delve into the Warhammer 40K universe for the first time, or continue to delve into it until Blizzard’s gothic RPG releases in June.
Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X. It is currently available in the PlayStation Plus catalog of games with a PlayStation Plus Extra subscription.
Flashlight 2
Image: Runic Games/Gearbox Publishing
Flashlight 2 was published in the shadow of Diablo 3, at a time when the latter’s loot system and auction house were drawing widespread criticism. As such, Flashlight 2 earned a reputation as a worthy alternative to Blizzard’s 2012 dungeon crawler.
But that’s only half the truth, because Flashlight 2 is an excellent ARPG, all comparisons notwithstanding. It features unique, cartoonish character classes, a sprawling, colorful world, and a variety of quality of life systems that make managing your massive loot collection a breeze. You can also choose and customize your own pet companion, who will travel back to town to sell your unwanted goods while you continue to scour caves, dungeons, and castles for your next favorite weapon or piece of armor. torch 3 is a contradictory ARPG based on a previous free-to-play game, so it feels like a palimpsest of conflicting ideas. But its predecessor is still one of the best ARPGs out there.
Flashlight 2 is available on Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X.
way of exile
Image: Grinding Gear Games
Despite its engaged audience way of exile remains one of the most overlooked games today. That can be due to its intimidating complexity or its free-to-play nature, which can hint at a variety of underlying microtransactions and money-related content. But that same complexity gradually gives way to intriguing nuances; this free-to-play nature is gradually becoming more of a blessing than a red flag.
Developer Grinding Gear Games’ ARPG lets you play as seven different character classes (with 19 other “ascension classes” you can level up into), each with a passive skill tree that’s too big for some ultrawide monitors to support could display at the same time. Its gem-based weapon system also lets you experiment with a variety of elemental effects, turning a bow that previously fired three arrows at once into a bow that fires three arrows at once, but also fires electric bullets and poisonous grenades. Its progression system is as flexible as it is intriguing and profound way of exileThe sprawling gothic world of is still rewarding after dozens of hours.
The sequel’s release date has yet to be announced, but Grinding Gear has said it expects a beta sometime this year. In the meantime, you’ve got plenty of content to explore in this phenomenal ARPG that has rightly been compared to diablo 2.
way of exile is free to play on Mac, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X.
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