Torchlight 3

Torchlight 3 is a buy-to-play 3D medieval fantasy MMOARPG that continues the series in Novastraia, sending you back into the frontier to push back the Netherim threat before it overruns the Ember Empire. Moment to moment it is built around fast zone-clearing, frequent loot drops, and boss encounters that lean on readable patterns and modifiers. Along the way you will recruit pets for support, tinker with crafting, and personalize a home fort that functions as both a hub and a creative outlet.

Publisher: Arc Games
Playerbase: Low
Type: 3D Buy-to-Play MMOARPG
Release Date: June 13, 2020
Pros: +Distinct class identities with different gameplay hooks. +Bright, stylized visuals with a playful tone. +Lighthearted characters and humor. +Easy to learn and approachable pacing. +Straightforward controls. +Fort housing and decoration.
Cons: -Not many class choices, and limited character customization depth. -Combat can feel stiff and occasionally awkward.

Overview

Torchlight 3 Overview

Set a century after Torchlight II, Torchlight 3 brings the Netherim back to Novastraia and frames your adventure as a sweeping cleanup effort across the frontier. You venture from zone to zone, cutting through dense packs of enemies and mixing in elite encounters that demand a bit more attention to positioning, telegraphs, and elemental or modifier-based twists. The structure is familiar to anyone who enjoys action RPG loops: clear areas efficiently, upgrade gear often, and refine a build until your damage, survivability, and utility feel tuned to your playstyle.

Class choice is the first major decision, and the roster includes four options: Sharpshooter, Dusk Mage, Forged, and Railmaster. Each leans into a recognizable archetype, but with signature mechanics that help the class play differently in practice, whether that means gadgets and precision, shadowy spellcraft, a heavy metal body built for brawling, or a pet-train style kit with a more tactical rhythm. Beyond your base kit, character growth comes from two skill trees and the Relic system, which adds another layer of powers to shape your core loop, even if you are using gear that is not locked to a specific class.

Pets are not just cosmetic companions here. They participate in combat, draw attention away from you at key moments, and provide buffs that can complement your build. New pets are earned by taking down tougher foes and freeing them, giving you an incentive to engage with bosses beyond loot. Outside of combat, your fort acts as a personal space you can expand and decorate, adding practical stations like crafting-related objects alongside purely decorative pieces. It is a pleasant change of pace when you want a break from constant fighting without leaving the game’s progression ecosystem.

Torchlight 3 Key Features:

  • Explore The Frontier – journey across vibrant, dangerous regions, each built around its own look and enemy mix, with plenty of combat density along the way.
  • Unique Classes – pick from four heroes with defining mechanics, then fine-tune your approach through plentiful gear options, two skill trees, and Relic powers.
  • Pet System – adventure with a pet that contributes in fights and provides benefits, then expand your options by rescuing new companions from boss-guarded cages.
  • Build Up Your Fort – customize a personal fort with useful stations and decorative items, turning it into a functional hub that reflects your style.
  • Hardcore Mode – opt into permadeath for a higher-stakes run where a single mistake ends the character and forces a fresh start.

Torchlight 3 Screenshots

Torchlight 3 Featured Video

Torchlight III - Steam Early Access Launch Trailer

Full Review

Torchlight 3 Review

Torchlight 3 aims for an accessible, loot-driven action RPG that borrows a few MMO-like trappings without demanding the commitment of a traditional MMORPG. The overall feel is intentionally lightweight: you are encouraged to jump in, clear content quickly, and experiment with builds without wrestling with complex inputs. When it clicks, it delivers that familiar Torchlight satisfaction of popping hordes, watching items rain out, and steadily turning your character into a more efficient monster blender.

Combat is readable and generally friendly to newcomers, but it can also be the game’s biggest friction point. Movement and ability use do not always feel as snappy as top-tier ARPGs, and some encounters can come off as a little clunky when the screen gets crowded. Bosses do provide the most interesting moments, especially when modifiers and attack patterns force you to pay attention rather than simply face-tank, but the moment-to-moment flow can still feel stiff compared to smoother contemporaries.

Where Torchlight 3 stands out most is in class flavor and presentation. The art direction leans into bright colors, exaggerated silhouettes, and a comedic tone that keeps things light even when you are fighting demons. The four classes are not numerous, yet they do feel distinct in identity, and the Relic system adds a useful angle for players who like to push a character in a specific direction. Gear being broadly usable across classes also encourages experimentation, since you can swap characters without feeling like every drop is wasted.

The fort system is a nice change of scenery. It is not just a menu disguised as a room, it is a customizable space with practical structures and decorations that make your hub feel personal. For players who enjoy a small amount of creativity between dungeon runs, it adds a low-pressure layer that fits the game’s casual spirit.

The biggest caveat is longevity. With a limited set of classes and relatively constrained character customization, long-term replay value depends heavily on how much you enjoy rerolling to try different skill setups and Relic combinations, or committing to Hardcore for a more tense experience. If you are looking for deep theorycrafting or ultra-precise combat feel, Torchlight 3 may not fully satisfy. If you want a straightforward, colorful ARPG with pets and housing that is easy to pick up in short sessions, it still has an audience.

System Requirements

Torchlight 3 System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

Operating System: Windows 7, 8.1, 10 (64-Bit)
CPU: Quad-Core Intel or AMD Processor, 2.5 Ghz or Faster
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 470 GTX or AMD Radeon 6870 HD Series Card or Higher
RAM: 4 GB RAM
Hard Disk Space: 10 GB available space

Recommended Requirements:

Operating System: Windows 7, 8.1, 10 (64-Bit)
CPU: Quad-Core Intel or AMD Processor, 2.5 Ghz or Faster
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 470 GTX or AMD Radeon 6870 HD Series Card or Higher
RAM: 4 GB RAM
Hard Disk Space: 10 GB available space

Music

Torchlight 3 Music & Soundtrack

Coming soon!

Additional Info

Torchlight 3 Additional Information

Developer: Echtra Games
Publisher: Perfect World Entertainment

Platforms: PC

Engine: Unreal Engine 4

Closed Alpha: January – March 2020
Closed Beta: May 2020
Early Access Launch: June 13, 2020

Development History / Background:

Torchlight 3 is a buy-to-play 3D medieval fantasy MMOARPG developed by Echtra Games and published by Perfect World Entertainment. The project was revealed on August 9, 2018 under the name Torchlight Frontiers, and at that time it was positioned as a free-to-play title built around microtransactions. In January 2020 it was reintroduced as Torchlight 3, reflecting a shift away from some of its more MMO-leaning ideas and toward a more straightforward, linear action RPG structure, alongside a new business model. Following multiple testing phases, including Closed Alpha (late January through March 2020) and a Closed Beta in May 2020, the game entered Steam Early Access on June 13, 2020.