Torchlight: Infinite Review: Is It Worth Playing?

What is Torchlight: Infinite?

Torchlight: Infinite is a free-to-play action role-playing game developed by XD Inc. It is the latest entry in the Torchlight series, a lineage known for its colourful, accessible take on the dungeon-crawling genre popularised by Diablo. The game is available on PC, iOS, and Android, with cross-platform progression. The premise is classic for the genre: the world is threatened by a corrupting force known as the Void, and players take on the role of a hero from a selection of distinct classes to hack, slash, and loot their way through hordes of monsters to save the day. It positions itself as a more streamlined, mobile-friendly experience compared to its predecessors, with a focus on endgame longevity and seasonal content updates.

Gameplay

At its core, Torchlight: Infinite feels like a distilled action RPG built for shorter, more frequent play sessions. The moment-to-moment action is satisfyingly punchy. Attacks have a solid sense of impact, and screen-filling ability effects make mowing down packs of enemies a visceral, if sometimes chaotic, spectacle. The control scheme, particularly on mobile, is adapted well for touchscreens with a virtual joystick and large skill buttons, though on PC it defaults to a traditional mouse-and-keyboard setup which feels more precise.

The core mechanics will be immediately familiar to genre veterans. You choose a hero, each with a unique talent tree and playstyle, and then equip gear and active skill gems that fundamentally alter how your abilities function. A key system is the 'Talent' and 'Divine Grace' boards, which offer extensive customisation for your character's passive strengths. The learning curve is gentle initially, with the campaign acting as an extended tutorial. However, the depth reveals itself in the endgame through systems like the 'Hero Trait' system, which allows for significant modification of your chosen hero's core mechanics, and the intricate crafting and modifying of gear.

In our view, the gameplay loop is compelling for what it is: a constant pursuit of incremental upgrades. The auto-pickup for common currency and materials is a welcome quality-of-life feature that reduces clutter. However, the game's structure, with its energy system for certain endgame activities (which can be bypassed with premium currency) and heavy emphasis on daily and seasonal challenges, clearly shows its free-to-play, live-service design. The action is fun and fluid, but it can begin to feel repetitive outside the context of chasing specific loot or completing battle pass objectives.

Who is Torchlight: Infinite for?

Torchlight: Infinite is primarily aimed at two audiences. First, it is for action RPG fans who want a competent, portable experience they can play in bite-sized chunks on a phone or tablet. Second, it caters to players who enjoy the seasonal model of games like Path of Exile or Diablo III, but desire a less overwhelmingly complex system of mechanics. It is a solid middle-ground between the hardcore depth of Path of Exile and the more straightforward arcade feel of the earlier Torchlight games.

It is a predominantly solo experience, though it does feature asynchronous multiplayer elements like leaderboards and the ability to see other players in the hub town. Co-operative play is supported for some endgame activities. This is not a game for someone seeking a deep, narrative-driven campaign or a traditional massively multiplayer experience. In our assessment, it is best suited for casual to mid-core players who enjoy theory-crafting builds and mindlessly grinding for loot while listening to a podcast, rather than those seeking a punishing, competitive challenge.

Graphics and performance

Torchlight: Infinite employs a bright, cartoonish art style that is a clear evolution of the series' signature look. The characters and environments are detailed and colourful, with a slightly more realistic edge than the almost cel-shaded appearance of Torchlight II. Spell and attack effects are lavish and explosive, which is a double-edged sword: it creates a great sense of power but can also lead to severe visual clutter where it becomes difficult to discern enemy attacks amidst the chaos.

Performance is one of its strong suits. The game is built to run on a wide spectrum of hardware, from high-end PCs to modest mobile devices. On PC, we experienced stable frame rates at high settings without issue. The mobile version is impressively optimised, maintaining smooth gameplay during intense combat scenarios, though it will naturally drain battery life more quickly. The user interface is clean and adaptable, though on smaller screens the inventory management can feel a tad cramped. The overall presentation is polished and performs its job reliably.

Value for money

As a free-to-play title, Torchlight: Infinite's base value proposition is undeniably strong. You can download the game, complete the entire campaign, and engage with a substantial amount of the endgame without spending any money. The core gameplay loop is fully accessible. The monetisation revolves around a seasonal battle pass, cosmetic skins, and convenience items such as additional storage space and the premium currency used to refresh endgame activity energy.

In our view, the potential cost comes from how much you engage with its live-service elements. The battle pass offers tangible rewards that can accelerate progression, and the inventory management can become frustrating without purchasing extra stash tabs if you become a dedicated player. The campaign might take 8-12 hours for a first playthrough, but the intended playtime is measured in hundreds of hours across seasons. Whether this represents good value depends entirely on your tolerance for free-to-play mechanics. For a casual player, it offers an enormous amount of content at no upfront cost. For a dedicated player aiming to maximise efficiency, the pressure to spend on convenience features is noticeable.

Verdict

Torchlight: Infinite is a well-executed, mobile-first action RPG that successfully captures the satisfying loot-driven core of the genre while wrapping it in a free-to-play seasonal model. It is not a notable title, but it is a highly competent one that fills a specific niche in the market.

We would recommend Torchlight: Infinite to players looking for a Diablo-like experience they can play on the go, or to those who enjoy ARPGs but find the most complex examples daunting. Its performance is solid, its combat is enjoyable, and it offers a deep pool of build-crafting to dive into without charge.

However, we would caution players who are averse to free-to-play structures, energy systems, and battle passes. Those seeking a rich, story-focused single-player adventure akin to Torchlight II, or a purely competitive, trade-centric economy, will likely find Infinite lacking. It is a game designed for perpetual engagement, and your enjoyment will be closely tied to your appreciation of that model. For the right player, it provides a vast amount of entertaining monster-slaying without an upfront price tag.