An Introduction to Grim Dawn:

Crate Entertainment have made a line in the sand with this title. Grim Dawn is hardly unique (Diablo similarities will inevitably be pointed out), but its hacky-slashy goodness is very, very well constructed. The principle of "break thing to advance" effectively constitutes not only the core but also the seeds, flesh, and stem of this particular apple, and yet it provides so many interesting ways to break said thing.

The... for lack of a better term, theory-crafting-friendliness... is one of the biggest draws. Most like-minded titles - Gameloft's Dungeon Hunter franchise comes to mind - have minor to moderate complexities in character creation and development; stat points and active/passive abilities complement each other. In Grim Dawn, the player has stat specializations and abilities that are specific to their class. They will also have a second class to choose, a wide array of equipment to create and customize which will bring its own set of passive/active abilities, a totally independent set of "constellation" perks that are unlocked through exploration rather than level-grinding, and the ability to conditionally reallocate skills for trying out alternatives to one's current build. It is not a game where one can simply spend a weekend and get the feel for one's favorite mechanics - it is a massive and carefully built system.

Graphics and design:

Grimy, grim and rough. When it comes to graphics Grim dawn is spot on. The game is dark, and include the same type of gore and feel of doom that was present in Diablo 1. You can toggle the view of your camera, the game is in full 3D and plays smooth (not laggy/jerkily as it seems to be in the promotion video clip).

The game stays simple yet effectful regarding to spells, skills and weaponry. There are colours, but not overdone and the gear are “simple” in design fitting within the context of the world. Even though the skills gets more expressive and effectful the more you level, it will never, as far as I know, become like the Diablo 3 roaming discotheques of coloured lightshows and smoke grenades I am used to. And I am greatly thankful for that.

During Chistmas I only had my laptop to play on, and even though my laptop has a really poor graphic card the game runs smooth (but can barely handle Diablo 3 and absolutely not games like Cities Skylines). It feels great to play a new and good looking game that is not forcing you to buy a new computer.

Sound effects and music:

The sound effects are really neat. My first character was a Pyromancer focusing around a gun build, and the swooping falcons have a nices punch to them, likewise the sound of the gun when firing. It is almost like you “feel it”.

The music enhances the graphic expression of the death and misery that surrounds everything.

Exploration:

As I let on in the beginning, Grim Dawn are composed of one whole “overworld”, a continuous map that, for the most parts, are open and not depending on the game progression (there is no fixed acts like in Diablo 3 or Path of Exile, where A leads to B and B to C). This makes exploration one extra dimension of the game and the environments are nice; varies a lot with high level of detail. There are randomly spawn dungeons that does not show on the map, as far as it seems. This makes it harder to find them, but you do not need to enter them to progress through the game. It just gives a nice flair to the game. There are also lots of hidden areas that will not show on neither the mini map nor the big map. The dungeons has that great feel of dungeon crawl around, with some of them in a roguelike-ish style. In some extent it feels like Diablo 1 but with much better graphics.

Questing:

As for questing, there is no holding hand style of gameplay. So do not expect a World of Warcraft path finding system for quest completion. This is more old school. You have to rely on your reading skills. Thus far I have never experienced any problem with completing any quests, and I find it nice for a change that the game is not playing for me. The “hardest” get around finding are the faction bounties. Even though I have taken to account the increasingly laziness of players, I do not think those are demanding in neither reading nor thinking skills.

Factions:

The game as a faction system that reminds of the systems in MMO:s. There are different steps rewarding you with discounts at vendors and access to quartermasters. You gain negative reputation with your enemies resulting in increasing monster spawn, hero spawn and spawn of nemesis at the most negative stance.

Crafting:

The game has a meaningful intriguing crafting system. During the game you can buy and find blueprints to learn new craftable items. At your Blacksmith you will be able to craft weapons, accessories, armor, components (things you can use in further crafting or to “enchant" gear you have), consumables and relics.

Story:

The game has a nice story and as you progress you can make choices through dialogue with NPC:s that affects the game in different ways. I have made some good ones, and some bad ones. One learn as long as one live.

Attributes, skills and leveling:

The leveling of the character is in all ARPG:s, but apart from for example Diablo 3, Grim Dawn allows you to put out points after each level in core attributes like “Physique”, “Cunning” and “Spirit” affecting everything from health and energy to damages output and chances to hit and get hit.

Each level you are awarded skill points to build your character in your chosen mastery/masteries. There are six masteries and if dual classing there are additional 15 different classes, each with a number of great synergy builds to create.

I think the leveling experience is good. As used to Diablo 3's minor variations, I think the different build possibilities are enormous, which do greatly enhancing the leveling experience.

Mechanics:

As fare as mechanics goes, it seems to be totally transparent. I do not have that much to say on this matter. Yet again referring to Diablo 3, I think this fact is a nice change of pace.

Inventory/backpack and stash/bank:

The system for inventory and stash are as such: Inventory on the character are bigger then Diablo 3 and do I even need to mention Path of Exiles totally lack of inventory space? The inventory is expandable through quest rewards. As far as I have progressed, you have one personal tab in the stash/bank and four shared with your other characters. But as in all of these type of games inventory and stash space, even a great amount of space, is not enough.

Conclusion:

90/100

On the surface, this game seems to be your regular Hack and Slash game. But it is much more.
It is built upon a foundation that Titan Quest provided a decade ago and it's no wonder people consider Grim Dawn to be the "spiritual successor" to the former. It runs on the very same engine and many things were carried over from Titan Quest, such as dual classes and parts of the crafting system.

If you're on a hunt for a great Action Role Playing Game, this title is absolutely for you!

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