From b73b215eb173dd5c2017fd8d856dc64758419b21 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: wgroeneveld Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2020 16:31:56 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] the best and worst hack and slash games article --- ...st-and-worst-retro-hack-and-slash-games.md | 196 ++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 196 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/articles/features/the-best-and-worst-retro-hack-and-slash-games.md diff --git a/content/articles/features/the-best-and-worst-retro-hack-and-slash-games.md b/content/articles/features/the-best-and-worst-retro-hack-and-slash-games.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..659b5f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/articles/features/the-best-and-worst-retro-hack-and-slash-games.md @@ -0,0 +1,196 @@ +--- +title: The Best and Worst Retro Hack & Slash Games +date: 2020-12-22 +image: "/img/games/diablo2/cover.jpg" +tags: + - 'Diablo 2' + - 'hack and slash' + - 'feature' +keywords: + - hack & slash + - best hack & slash games + - best diablo 2 alternative + - diablo 2 + - retro hack and slash + - hack & slash games ranked + - diablo 2 alternatives + - diablo 3 alternatives + - classic hack & slash games + - torchlight alternatives +description: A selection of retro Hack & Slah games, ranked. Which ones stack up to Diablo 2? A summary of the best and worst action RPG games from 2000 to 2012. +--- + +This month, I've played the heck out of classic action RPGs akin to Diablo. Starting with Sacred, I worked my way through Dungeon Siege, the Torchlight games, Nox, and of course revisited Sanctuary in Diablo 2 and 3. Yet there are still more H&S games waiting for me (Dungeon Siege 2, Titan Quest, Throne of Darkness). For every game discussed below, there is also an in-depth comparison review published on the Codex. This article attempts to summarize these, to be able to compare all games at once. + +## The games + +First, let us take a look at each game in the list. + +### [Diablo 2](/articles/retrospectives/diablo-2) + +![](/img/games/diablo2/crystallinepassage.jpg "Diablo II.") + +Read [the retrospective](/articles/retrospectives/diablo-2). There, we concluded: + +> Twenty years later, breezing through the game together with a friend feels as invigorating as it felt back in 2000. I might have become a bit less immune to the repetitive nature of the game, but in multiplayer mode, it hardly mattered. Is there any game that matches the greatness of the grandfather of H&S dungeon crawling? I doubt it, unless you are looking for comfort (Diablo III), color (Torchlight), charm (Nox), or a more unique take on the class and skill system (Sacred). + +This is _the_ benchmark of H&S games, the undisputed king, the one everybody tries to imitate, the _Monkey Island_ of the adventure games, the _Mario_ of the platformers. And yes, it is still relevant and fun with a partner to breeze through the multiple difficulties! + +The question is, does any other game come close to matching its greatness? + +**Play Diablo 2 if...** + +- You know it and you love it. Nothing will replace the nostalgic and authentic feeling. +- You're looking for the best balance of items/character builds +- You found a few buddies willing to join the EuropeBattle.net servers. + +**Do not play Diablo 2 if...** + +- You're scared of 2D pixels or low resolutions. +- You can't stand randomly-generated pitch black dungeons with a lot of dead ends. + +### [Diablo 3](/articles/reviews/diablo-3) + +![](/img/games/diablo3/mobs.jpg "Diablo III.") + +Read [the full review](/articles/reviews/diablo-3). There, we concluded: + +> Blizzard North is no more, Blizzard entertainment made this third Diablo installment instead. And that is exactly how I would summarize this game: entertaining enough to keep you in. Still, that term does not equal grand, nor does it equal engrossing. Entertainment is for when I’m tired but still want to kill a few mobs. Entertainment is for when I don’t care for skill points and just want to play. This perfectly summarizes what Diablo 3 is all about: loot - kill - entertainment. + +The skill choice instead of tree greatly reduces the complexity, and the added seasonal extras with a strong focus on loot emphasizes its arcade-like gameplay. This is a good game in its own right, but should not be called _Diablo_. + +**Play Diablo 3 if...** + +- You enjoy fiddling with lots of different character builds. +- You're looking for end-game content. +- You don't mind the comfy/easy/cheesy-ness. + +**Do not play Diablo 3 if...** + +- You're expecting a successor to Diablo 2. +- You like complexity and strategic thinking. + +### [Nox](/articles/reviews/nox) + +![](/img/games/nox/castle.jpg "Galava Castle. Beautiful 2D pixel-art.") + +Read [the full review](/articles/reviews/nox). There, we concluded: + +> Let’s be clear on one thing: Nox deserves more attention. It’s a bit of a shame that it got overlooked thanks to Diablo 2. Both games could work complementary - why choose one when you can play both? To me, they both serve a different purpose. And to me, Nox has far more charm than Diablo. It is what one could call a hidden gem, and it’s perfectly re-playable because all character paths are partially unique. + +Westwood knows how to put the _charm_ and unique atmosphere in a game: it is visible in Red Alert 2 and also in Nox, although calling this a full-fledged loot-centered H&S game would be stretching it a bit too far. + +**Play Nox if...** + +- You value a charming world before an item-littered world. +- You like replaying a game with different classes. + +**Do not play Nox if...** + +- You want to invest heavily in multiplayer. +- You're a loot addict. + +### [Dungeon Siege](/articles/reviews/dungeon-siege) + +![](/img/games/dungeonsiege/enemies.jpg "Annoying critters that spew a constant stream of energy at your party.") + +Read [the full review](/articles/reviews/dungeon-siege). There, we concluded: + +> Dungeon Siege is not quite a typical hack and slash game: you control a party, there are few attributes/skills, and they’re all automatically accumulated. Furthermore, your party by default automatically attacks enemies on sight, so when things go well, there’s little for you to do but press a hotkey or two to grab the uesless gear. To put it bluntly, it feels like you’re watching a marathon of Lord of the Rings extended edition movies instead of playing a game where thought must be put into correctly building and equipping your character. + +Being still an impressive looking game with a seamless world that does not involve any load times, it will get very tedious faster than you think. If you have a soft spot for Gas Powered Games, I'd suggest to save it for Dungeon Siege II. + +**Play Dungeon Siege if...** + +- You value 3D above 2D. +- You like donkeys. +- You dislike clicking - or making decisions. +- You absolutely want a party. + +**Do not play Dungeon Siege if...** + +- You prefer playing games over watching movies. +- You expect to mess around with spells and items. + +### [Sacred](/articles/reviews/sacred) + +![](/img/games/sacred/houses.jpg "Lovely 2D art visible in bigger cities.") + +Read [the full review](/articles/reviews/sacred). There, we concluded: + +> Is Sacred better than Diablo 2? In the end, I’m glad I played it: it’s a rather unique world with a strange skill tree implementation that still puzzles me to date. It doesn’t quite come quite near the level of greatness Diablo II is, but it certainly tried well enough. I might actually prefer the huge open world, quests, visuals, and quirkiness of Sacred. Sadly, the core hack & slash mechanics, the loot and reward system, is a bit of a missed opportunity to me. + +The unique world of Ancaria comes with goofy voice acting, funny but mostly mundane side-quests, and a lot of goblin killing. Will this be to your liking? That will depend: + +**Play Sacred if...** + +- You're bored of the standard class options and want to try something unique. +- You like 2D art, weather effects, and a day/night system. +- You like to have a bit of a laugh from time to time. +- You insist on riding a horse. + +**Do not play Sacred if...** + +- Quickly respawning monsters scare you. +- Monster variation is something you think is necessary. +- You value tradition and mana over strange skills and combos. + +### [Torchlight](/articles/reviews/torchlight) + +![](/img/games/torchlight/effects.jpg "Spell/Skill effects flying all over the place.") + +Read [the full review](/articles/reviews/torchlight). There, we concluded: + +> If you were to play this in 2009, you’d thank the Lords that finally someone managed to do a proper Diablo clone. These someone guys happen to be none other than most of the original crew. At the release date, the game priced at one third of a full game, so be aware that content-wise, that’s also what you’re going to get. A ten hour thrill through randomized dungeons to kill, loot, listen to nostalgic tracks that bring back memories, while distributing skill and stat points. + +The surprise hit Torchlight strikes just the right tone to the Diablo fan, especially with the sound effects and music hitting home run. That said, it is a very short game that is over all too quick. Take a look at Torchlight II if you're serious about the Torchlight series. + +**Play Torchlight if...** + +- You want Diablo 2.5. +- You don't mind a very barebones story with lots of dungeon crawling. +- Magic find is something you drool at. +- You like pets. + +**Do not play Torchlight if...** + +- You're looking for multiplayer options (it has none). +- Colors and cartoonish graphics hurts your eyes. +- You're looking for a _lot_ of content. + +### [Torchlight 2](/articles/reviews/torchlight-2) + +![](/img/games/torchlight2/pirates.jpg "Torchlight II on Nintendo Switch.") + +Read [the full review](/articles/reviews/torchlight-2). There, we concluded: + +> Anno 2020, if you’re in for a Diablo fix (or should I say replica?), take a look at Torchlight 2. There is no doubt that Torchlight 2 is better than its predecessor - on all accounts. Since both Diablo 3 and Torchlight 2 were released in 2012, it comes at no surprise that both games are compared very often. Since I played both games on Switch, and both games are more colorful and easier than Diablo 2, it was difficult not to compare both. To me, Diablo 3 is the best leisurely-paced hack & slash game, well-suited on consoles. If I could, I would play Torchlight II on PC. + +Torchlight II is like Diablo 2.6 and better than its predecessor in every aspect, even including a multiplayer mode. You owe it to yourself to try it out if you are a real Diablo fan. + +**Play Torchlight II if...** + +- Torchlight I was your thing but it was over too soon. +- You like boss fights. +- You don't mind a little bit of steampunk mixed in for good measure. + +**Do not play Torchlight II if...** + +- You're a melee player and want to play it on Nintendo Switch. +- You're looking for original skills and cool classes. + +## Hack & Slash games, ranked. + +Keep in mind that ranking games is actually a silly practice that does not fully represent the gameplay of each individual game. It is but a subjective opinion of one person. Since I played the original Diablo a lot when it came out, of course I am also heavily biased. That said, here's my own list: + +1. Diablo 2 +2. Nox +3. Diablo 3 +4. Sacred +5. Torchlight 2 +6. Torchlight +7. Dungeon Siege + +The undisputed king stays at number one - obviously. Second is Nox, a game I have a soft spot for. Next in line, Diablo 3, as I honestly think it is a good game in its own right - on the couch, with a controller in hand. I had more fun playing it on Switch than I did Torchlight II, and Torchlight I isn't as good as the second version. To me, Dungeon Siege was very boring. That leaves us with Sacred, a unique and maybe a bit of an odd game, I would put right in the middle. I'd rather replay Sacred with a cool class like the Seraphim than go through Torchlight II again. + +To be continued, with more H&S fun!