Summary
- Diablo 2: Resurrected is not only considered a strong remake but still the best game in the series.
- Torchlight 2 offers family-friendly adventure and polished gameplay with vibrant visuals.
- Grim Dawn provides a Diablo-esque experience with Lovecraft elements and unique multiclass options.
After a strong launch, a few years of updates, and an expansion, Diablo 4 has returned to the darker, gothic style of the original two games, establishing itself as a significant player in the modern action RPG genre. Nonetheless, players should also explore other ARPG titles that offer similar or even identical gameplay experiences.
Every Diablo Game, Ranked
The long-running Diablo series has had its fair share of highs and lows. Here's every game in the franchise, ranked.
Thanks to talented developers at various studios, there is a rich variety of ARPG games that, in many key aspects, can offer equally compelling experiences, if not more som than what Diablo 4 offers. Despite the prominent presence of Diablo 4, these other games provide strong gameplay mechanics, engaging stories, and diverse visual styles that will resonate with a broad range of gamers, including long-time Diablo fans.
Torchlight 2
A Cartoony ARPG For The Entire Family
Torchlight 2
- Released
- September 20, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Set in a fantasy world more akin to World of Warcraft, Torchlight 2 provides a more family-friendly adventure that manages to maintain all the challenges and thrills that Diablo is known for. Those looking for a break from the grim style of Diablo can get everything they need from Torchlight 2, with vibrant colors and a fun art style.
Torchlight 2 is often considered the best of the trilogy, with more polished and engaging gameplay. Despite only offering four classes to choose from, it is still thrilling to fight goblins, giant spiders, skeletons, and much more while looting treasure. As a result, Torchlight 2 can feel almost like a gateway game for younger players who want to get into games like Diablo.
The Incredible Adventures Of Van Helsing: Final Cut
Gamers Can Enjoy Gunslinging In A Steampunk World
- Release Date: Nov 6, 2015
- Developer: NeocoreGames
- Publisher: NeocoreGames
- Systems: PC
The Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut combines all three games of the series into one cohesive experience. Players can immerse themselves in vampire-hunting and demon-slaying action, with Count Dracula serving as the main antagonist for the narrative. Fans of classic universal monsters will be captivated by the characters and the gothic Victorian setting, which features a unique steampunk twist.
Unlike many games in Diablo's genre, The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing offers a gunslinger and other technology-based classes to play as, in contrast to the typical swords and axes found in most ARPGs. Additionally, by combining elements from all three games, it achieves a remarkable level of world-building that rivals, if not surpasses, that of the Diablo series.
Grim Dawn
Multiclassing And Lovecraft Elements Turned An Indie Game Into A Smash Hit
Grim Dawn
- Released
- February 25, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Violence, Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Language
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Before its many changes and updates, Diablo 3 was considered a disappointment, which led to games like Grim Dawn providing a Diablo-esque experience in its place. It mixes gothic horror with Lovecraftian Eldritch elements as the protagonist traverses a world going through an apocalypse full of monsters and undead that can keep a player addicted for dozens of hours.
Games That Feature The Biggest Skill Trees
These games feature skill trees so massive it can be hard for players to wrap their heads around them.
Grim Dawn can be considered a clone of Diablo, but it does have some of its own standout features, such as the ability to build a combination of two classes, which allows for tons of replayability. For an indie gam, Grim Dawn manages to not only replicate the ARPG style of Diablo, but also to make it just as engaging and addictive as its inspiration.
Diablo 2: Resurrected
The Seven Classes Are Still Sublime In This Beautiful Remake
Diablo 2: Resurrected
- Released
- September 23, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Diablo 4 has established itself as a strong series entry, but it's difficult to surpass the sequel that helped pave the way for Blizzard's success. Diablo 2: Resurrected revitalizes the original game by enhancing both the visuals and gameplay, ultimately creating the definitive version. Even the iconic cinematics have been completely remade with updated visuals.
From the first appearance of the Wanderer to the fight against Baal on Mount Aryat, Diablo 2: Resurrected is still the RPG that fans fell in love with over twenty-five years ago, with the seven iconic classes that some argue are still the series' best. Turning into a werebear as the Druid or unleashing powerful elemental spells as the Sorceress results in a satisfying display of abilities unrivaled by most ARPGs.
Path Of Exile
Being Free-To-Play Helps It Stand Out From The Crowd
Path of Exile
- Released
- October 23, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Nudity, Language
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Not everyone can afford to buy full-priced games, and some players are hesitant to purchase a game that might ultimately disappoint them. That's where Path of Exile comes in, offering all the dungeon crawling and hack-and-slash action that fans of the Diablo series enjoy while being completely free to play, and it still features hundreds of thousands of players on its servers.
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In many ways, Path of Exile feels like a love letter to Diablo 2, from the dark gothic fantasy setting to the user interface with large health and magic bars and slots for potions. However, there are fans of the live-service game that consider it on par with the more popular franchise, which led to it becoming a major success that spawned a recent sequel.
Borderlands 2
A Violent, Colorful, And Hilarious First-Person Shooter
Borderlands 2
- Released
- September 18, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
Despite being a first-person shooter, Borderlands is essentially follows the same concept as the Diablo games, with a protagonist traversing lands and dungeons to progress in an RPG format with hundreds of items to loot. Borderlands 2 is often regarded as the best of the series, giving fans their biggest deep dive into the alien world of Pandora to fight the villain known as Handsome Jack.
While the infinitely varied guns and endless fights against monsters and bandits are fun, Borderlands 2 continues the franchise's humor that is both over-the-top and witty at the same time. Whether it's some of the main characters interacting with the player or enemies found in quests, every inch of Pandora is filled with personality that makes exploring every nook and cranny worth it.
Path Of Exile 2
The Sequel Improves On Endgame Content
Path of Exile II
- Released
- December 6, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Nudity, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Language, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash, MMORPG
Path of Exile 2 is not a free-to-play title like its predecessor, but it represents an upgrade in every aspect, from gameplay to visuals to content. With additional funding for the project, Grinding Gear Games was able to refine the formula established in the first Path of Exile, offering a new adventure that is enjoyable when played solo or with friends.
The story has expanded to include six acts, and there are now twelve classes to choose from. The currency system has been streamlined, and the endgame content offers greater longevity for players who focus on a single character. While the release of Diablo 4 may have overshadowed Path of Exile 2, it remains a strong competitor in the ARPG genre, especially since it is more affordable than its rival.
Diablo 4
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash