HeyDaniko // November 15th, 2020
Call these titles what you will – CRPGs, ARPGs, Isometric RPGs, Diablo-clones, we all get the right imagery. Maybe it isn’t particularly proper of me to put two moderately different genres into one list, but there is so much crossover in these games that I’d honestly argue you could classify them as either, or both. I believe the only real defining differences between the ideas of the CRPG and the ARPG is how much world exploration and combat they contain. CRPGs tend to be very story-centric, with lots of places to explore, quests to complete, people to meet; everything you would expect from a standard role player, be it isometric or third person. ARPGs, on the other hand, take on a more Dynasty Warriors inspired approach and just throw hordes of enemies at you to dice your way through. Not to imply that they don’t have much of a story, but that usually comes secondary to the volume of combat.
The reason I am writing this article, or list really, is because I just cannot find myself even slightly excited for Diablo IV. This is, partly at least, due to my lack of any love for Diablo III, which I found to be a frustratingly short and shallow experience. But I do admit that the Diablo IV trailer was nice. It was very atmospheric, tense, and haunting. The animation was incredible, as we have come to expect from Blizzard. But Blizzard as a company? I’m really not a fan. Silencing Hong Kong protesters for fear of it hurting your standing in China isn’t a cool move. And it was very, very noticeable. Whether or not I will even play Diablo IV is still up for debate. Chances are, I’ll wait a little while and see what others think. Then, assuming they like it, I’ll wait a little longer to see if its ever on sale, just to pettily avoid giving Blizzard too much of my money. But anyway, this article isn’t intended to be a Diablo or Blizzard bashing frenzy – but a few recommendations for anyone who happens to like the genre or similar games to Diablo in general.
Grim Dawn
Often heralded as the game that Diablo III should have been, Grim Dawn is a gritty, dark fantasy set in a world largely in ruin. While it certainly lacks the polish of a true Diablo game, it makes up for it in immense customisation. Grim Dawn gives you the ability to not only take on one class, but two classes, allowing you to create a dual class character. This opens up an additional 36 classes on top of the base 6.
My favourite aspect of the game is quite probably the questing. The main story itself is really something quite compelling, beginning with mystery and then driving you through epic encounter after epic encounter, through many highly differing environments and just as many unique enemies. It would certainly be wrong of me to say that Grim Dawn is anything less than a brilliantly realised game and something of a genre defining gem.
With its two expansions so far, Grim Dawn is a dense game and one that will not be completed quickly. So, if a meaty CRPG with plenty of quests and content is something that tickles your fancy then this might just be the game for you.
Victor Vran
Victor Vran might seem like an odd recommendation to those who have played it – but admit it, you really did enjoy it! The game isn’t particularly long and was designed to be played with a controller as opposed to the traditional mouse clicking of the genre. It’s also quite a shallow and predictable experience with the story being nothing noteworthy. But, after all that is said, it’s a very fun game with some really pleasant pick up and play game mechanics that make it quite casual friendly. Additionally, Victor is voiced by Doug Cockle, the same voice actor as Geralt of Rivia from the Witcher video games. Though honestly given Victor’s profession as a monster hunter, developers Haemimont Games of the Tropico series, could have quite plausibly just used some Witcher III sound bites with the hope that no one would notice.
But we noticed, Haemimont. We noticed.
The game is extremely entertaining at times with some quite comical narration from a malevolent spirit who is supposedly haunting the titular Victor. Like all good loot focused games, there are items of different rarities to collect, including some unique legendries all having their own appearance and theme. The pumpkin hammer is of particular note as it was my personal favourite.
Additionally, if you’re into Motorhead at all, then there is an entire DLC dedicated to them. Just so you know that that’s a thing.
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing
The Van Helsing trilogy is definitely one of my absolute favourite isometric RPG series, but it’s hard to choose whether or not to recommend the trilogy of games, or the Final Cut of the game, which saw all 3 games melded into one. The Final Cut certainly has the continuity going for it and having one character go through all content is a really nice development, but for some reason the whole game is only around two thirds the length of the trilogy. The first Van Helsing took me around 20 hours to complete, but when I got to that same point during the Final Cut, I was only around 11 hours into the game. And the same thing happened with Van Helsing 2, which took me around 17 hours to complete, then only gave me around an additional 8 or 9 hours of play time in the Final Cut. All in all, the whole trilogy took me around 30 hours to complete whilst the Final Cut took me a little under 20. And I just cannot fathom where those missing 10 hours have gone. So, despite the convenience of having all 3 games in one neat package, I’m going to have to recommend the trilogy if you want, what I would describe, as the proper Van Helsing experience.
But why do I love these games so much? Well, its honestly the characters. Something I have come to notice from developers Neocore Games is that they write character interactions incredibly well. The back-and-forth between titular Van Helsing, and his companion, the ghostly Lady Katarina, is really what makes the game so entertaining. That, coupled with some very fun scenarios, bucket loads of pop culture and meme references, some top-notch environmental design, very fun combat and character development options, make The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing one of my all-time favourites.
Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr
It may not be fair of me to recommend this game at the stage I am currently at. For fairness’s sake I will disclose that I am currently only around 5 hours into a game that, I believe, is around 30 hours long. But I am enjoying it immensely and you can watch my play-through here on my YouTube channel if you’re so inclined.
Inquisitor is a highly compelling game with some real guttural combat. Your character feels weighty and powerful, and your weapons feel strong and punchy, but the enemies themselves can still be quite overwhelming if you let them. It’s also the second game on this list to have been developed by Neocore Games. As with Van Helsing, the characters and dialogue really shine in this title. Your Inquisitorial protagonist is accompanied by a motley bunch of companions needed to complete their mission of locating a missing star ship – and the relationships between them are really quite wonderful. Firstly, there is the commandeered Rogue Trader’s Captain Ragna Van Wynter with whom the Inquisitor seems to have a professional, yet sarcastic relationship. And then there is the Adeptus Mechanicus Tech-Priest, Omicrom Arkh, whom honestly delivers some of my absolute favourite lines from the game so far.
With knowingly so many hours of game play still to go, I find myself more and more compelled by both the characters’ dialogues and the story itself. So, if either Warhammer 40K or Isometric RPGs are your flavour, I recommend you give it a look in.
And please let me know, what are you favourite isometric RPGs? ARPG, CRPG, or otherwise.
As always, thank you kindly for reading. This has been Daniko, and I hope to hear back from you.
Thunder's Remnant 