Torchlight 2 open 'Overworld' areas explained

Runic Games have released eight new screens for Torchlight 2 along with new details on the game's randomizes areas, which are approximately three times larger than anything seen in the original game.

Xav de Matos

May 23, 2011 3:15 PM

Every other week between now and E3 2011, developer Runic Games has pledged to share new bits of information for its upcoming sequel Torchlight 2. On Friday, the dev showed off a number of new screens and detailed the tech that powers the game's randomly generated areas. According to the recent blog post from lead designer Patrick Blank, Torchlight 2 features two types of new outdoor areas: Passes and Overworld areas. Each section is substantially larger than even the biggest levels found in the original game and include "random dungeons, random events, and lots of exploration for players." On the blog, Blank reveals the largest area in Torchlight was made up of "6-7 chunks," whereas the first Overworld area in Torchlight 2 is made up of "18-23 chunks."

Developer Runic Games have injected Torchlight 2 with much larger areas than the original

Passes are "tighter" thematic areas that connect players between zones. Not only are the Passes randomized, but the content within each pass changes. "There are several random elements that can change your gameplay experience every time," Blank writes. These sections of the game are much more structured 'Point A to Point B' areas. The open-ended Overworld sections offer something different in comparison. "As soon as you enter one, you are free to go off in any direction you like. They are the big playgrounds of Torchlight II. Players can easily spend a lot of their time just exploring and finding little surprises everywhere." These areas are also randomized, so--according to Blank--"the possible variations are endless." Like Passes, the Overworld areas offer variation within each randomized core area. The first Overworld area, Blank explains, includes "multiple random dungeons, quest specific dungeons, landmark areas, and random events." Of course, each area will be packed with loot, enemies, and bosses. Portals also return, giving players easy access to the surface. We expect to see even more from Runic Games at E3 2011. Until then, make sure to check out the game's official blog.

Xav de Matos

Xav de Matos was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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May 23, 2011 3:15 PM

Xav de Matos posted a new article, Torchlight 2 open 'Overworld' areas explained.

Runic Games have released eight new screens for Torchlight 2 along with new details on the game's randomizes areas, which are approximately three times larger than anything seen in the original game.
- Lord Skellington
  
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  May 23, 2011 3:31 PM
  
  I am so unbelievably looking forward to this! The aesthetic of the game is even more good looking than the first game.
  - pyide
    
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    May 23, 2011 3:42 PM
    
    The wait is starting to hurt! I don't know if I'm the only one here, but Torchlight 2 is well above Diablo 3 on my must play games list. Kinda know what to expect from Blizzard, but Runic did an amazing job with Torchlight and the sequel is sounding like everything I wanted and more, can't wait to see how it all turns out.
    
    Also: MATT FUCKING UELMEN
    - rottdcorpse
      
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      May 23, 2011 11:43 PM
      
      Yeah, Diablo 3 will destroy Torchlight 2 though...Torchlight is good and all, but it's a love affair, a kiss in the dark compared to the balls out tantric 24 hour sex marathon that Diablo 3 will be.
      - one random winner
        
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        May 24, 2011 9:12 AM
        
        She is our mistress we play with longing for the return of our true love.
      - WilliamDecker
        
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        May 24, 2011 10:12 AM
        
        Torchlight 2 will be more like the sweaty palm. It's not quite what you wanted in the first place, but it does the job until Diablo 3 comes out.
- walker270
  
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  May 23, 2011 3:34 PM
  
  I'm hoping they do something to make the classes more interesting.
  
  Don't get me wrong, I loved the original Torchlight, but never really played too much of it because all of the classes just seemed pretty "meh."
- PatrickB-
  
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  May 23, 2011 3:38 PM
  
  Always weird seeing your name in articles.... Thanks for picking this up and pimping for us Shack!
  - spiderfill
    
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    May 23, 2011 3:43 PM
    
    get back to work you magnificent bastard!!! >:)
- jonin
  
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  May 23, 2011 3:46 PM
  
  I'm ready to buy this right now.
- [deleted] 342332194
  
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  May 23, 2011 3:59 PM
  
  [deleted]
  - Lukiopimp
    
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    May 24, 2011 3:46 AM
    
    Don't forget about Ttrine!
- Horn
  
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  May 23, 2011 3:59 PM
  
  Is 2 going to have MP or are we going to have to wait for their MMO?
  - pyide
    
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    May 23, 2011 4:02 PM
    
    It's been co-op confirmed since the announcement, I believe.
    - Horn
      
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      May 23, 2011 5:59 PM
      
      Great news, thanks
  - [deleted] 342332194
    
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    May 23, 2011 4:03 PM
    
    [deleted]
- leadgold
  
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  May 23, 2011 4:03 PM
  
  Can't wait!!!
- Godhatesfatpeople
  
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  May 23, 2011 4:15 PM
  
  http://i56.tinypic.com/5po2t4.png
- ashkie
  
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  May 23, 2011 5:29 PM
  
  I hope this continues with the mod support.
  - Godhatesfatpeople
    
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    May 23, 2011 5:32 PM
    
    Pretty sure it will
  - pyide
    
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    May 23, 2011 5:34 PM
    
    They were talking about mods working in online in coop games, but that it would also mean you'll probably want to play with people you know to avoid random crazy shit all the time.
  - [deleted] 877988455
    
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    May 23, 2011 5:36 PM
    
    [deleted]
  - PatrickB-
    
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    May 23, 2011 5:54 PM
    
    Yes, we will be fully supporting mods. :)
    - Godhatesfatpeople
      
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      May 23, 2011 5:55 PM
      
      :D
    - SpaecKow
      
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      May 23, 2011 9:12 PM
      
      You wanna hug? You can have a hug if you want :)
      - PatrickB-
        
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        May 24, 2011 8:20 PM
        
        Are you a hot, open minded, flexible, double jointed, sturdy Norwegian girl? If not, then no... no I don't want a hug.
        
        angry jellyfish
        
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        May 25, 2011 10:30 AM
        
        This man deserves a hug, so I think we should do our best to assemble this awesome combo for him. I can provide the Norwegian-ness, but other people will have to help out with the rest.
        
        angry jellyfish
        
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        May 25, 2011 10:48 AM
        
        For clarification, I can't provide the girl-ness. Sorry.
- MeestaNob
  
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  May 23, 2011 5:59 PM
  
  I'm looking forward to this more than Diablo 3...
- AgentPothead
  
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  May 23, 2011 6:40 PM
  
  Can't fuckin wait!
- Yxalitis
  
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  May 23, 2011 8:44 PM
  
  This is great, not just because it builds co-op multi-player on a great single player game, it also kicks Blizzard in the teeth! Compare development time between Torchlight 1 and 2, and Diablo 2 and 3...Hmmm, interesting...
  - walker270
    
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    May 23, 2011 9:04 PM
    
    REALLY MAKES YOU THINK, BRAH
  - spazzium
    
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    May 23, 2011 9:18 PM
    
    Who _are_ you?
  - rottdcorpse
    
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    May 23, 2011 11:45 PM
    
    The compare the final quality and depth of Torchlight and Diablo 3...
    
    Diablo 3 gonna pwn, let's not kid ourselves.
  - Anastomosis
    
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    May 24, 2011 9:45 AM
    
    I'm pretty sure Blizzard did not start working on Diablo III right after the release of Diablo II. They're not Activision.
    - synic0
      
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      May 25, 2011 12:12 PM
      
      No, but they've been working on it off and on for about 10 years...
- MercFox1
  
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  May 23, 2011 9:05 PM
  
  So incredibly excited for this.
- shavenewok
  
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  May 23, 2011 9:39 PM
  
  Can't wait for this, theses guys really do deserve to do well with this
- [deleted] 1856106348
  
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  May 24, 2011 1:30 AM
  
  [deleted]
  - Vincent Grayson
    
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    May 24, 2011 2:18 AM
    
    What the fuck does that even mean? It looks like the same basic design only with a smaller budget and presumably, less content. Torchlight was a nice distraction, but nothing in its core design was particularly compelling beyond the nice music.
    
    I can't imagine a world in which T2 looks like a better game than D3.
    - [deleted] 1856106348
      
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      May 24, 2011 2:57 AM
      
      [deleted]
    - [deleted] 1271987451
      
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      May 24, 2011 6:47 AM
      
      [deleted]
- mrflamey
  
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  May 24, 2011 5:21 AM
  
  So hot for this game! Like many people I enjoyed what I played of the first game, but was quite amazed by the lack of coop. I can't imagine how much fun Torchlight 2 is going to be with 4 people.
  
  Wish I could preorder on Steam NOW.
  
  Playing Terraria at the moment, which is also a good laugh when played with mates.
- warcrow
  
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  May 24, 2011 5:29 AM
  
  Oh mah gawd this looks like fun!
- Zek
  
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  May 24, 2011 6:13 AM
  
  IMO the big open areas were the worst part about Diablo 2. Exploring them was simply a chore, all you wanted was to find the entrance to the next area as quickly as possible. I'm sure Torchlight 2 will be great but to me it feels like they're mostly just making another D2, while D3 is actually innovating new stuff.
- Dynotaku
  
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  May 24, 2011 6:31 AM
  
  This will be a fun game but I seriously hope they get it out before Diablo 3.
- Dontdrop
  
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  May 24, 2011 6:49 AM
  
  Looking good. Day 1 perch for me
- OutlawSundown
  
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  May 24, 2011 9:10 AM
  
  So glad they ditched the MMO idea for a straight up sequel.
  - ashkie
    
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    May 24, 2011 9:21 AM
    
    Is the MMO dead or are they still working on it?
    - Johnnsen
      
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      May 24, 2011 10:47 AM
      
      They are still working on it, they are using the experience they get from implementing multiplayer to develop the MMO.
- Johnnsen
  
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  May 24, 2011 10:48 AM
  
  Eff yeah, had so much fun with TL1, let me preorder already!