Grim Dawn

 PC
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
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  1. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Jan 12, 2016
    It’ll keep you busy for a long damn time too, even if you only play it once – though, of course, for many there’ll be later playthroughs in co-op or at at unlockable higher difficulties. I think it’s the (admittedly presumed) desire to be the spiritual sequel to Diablo II which holds me back from heaping breathless praise on Grim Dawn, though.

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best PC Game of 2016
25
#25 Most Discussed PC Game of 2016
62
#62 Most Shared PC Game of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 818 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 654 out of 818
  2. Mixed: 107 out of 818
  3. Negative: 57 out of 818
  1. Korwin
    Feb 25, 2016
    10
    The game is a remarkable example of what can be accomplished by a small, dedicated team of developers. I was (still am) a long-time TitanThe game is a remarkable example of what can be accomplished by a small, dedicated team of developers. I was (still am) a long-time Titan Quest: Immortal Throne fiend. So when I heard some of the developers from that game were developing a new aRPG I was immediately on-board.

    I was an early backer (2010), then Kickstarter backer, and have purchased the game for a few friends. It has more than lived up to the hype and exceeded all expectations. I played nearly 400 hours while it was in beta alone, and can't wait to actually, really start playing the game now that it is in full release.

    It has all the best elements of an old-school aRPG game, with some new mechanics to keep it fresh. The environment/climate is interesting, the classes are fairly archetypal but with a fresh spin, and the hunt for loot keeps you hungry for progression.

    The story is interesting and there is enough to keep those interested immersed. The graphics are very good - not amazing, but authentic for the type of game. Not cartoonish at all. The pace is great and there's enough play diversity to offer plenty of replayability. It's a great mix of challenge and depth.

    I recommend this game highly. I've only played as single player, but the game does offer co-op mulitplayer via local server connections (like Titan Quest - no online servers, yay)!

    PS - really looking forward to expansion AND the modding community once the game settles in.    … Full Review »
  2. adoomgod
    Feb 26, 2016
    10
    Grim Dawn is a theorycrafter's paradise, and the first ARPG that has truly allowed me to live, and even surpass the feelings I had playingGrim Dawn is a theorycrafter's paradise, and the first ARPG that has truly allowed me to live, and even surpass the feelings I had playing Diablo 2 as a kid. It is, in my opinion, the best ARPG I have played.

    About me: I have played and beaten every ARPG known to man since Diablo. Diablo 2 was my favorite of the genre, and I spent the next decade+ searching for a game that would evoke even more fun and joy while playing. I played all the mainstream games, all the indie games, and even some foreign titles in languages I could not understand in the hopes of finding a game with satisfying combat, interesting loot, great atmosphere, and amazing build diversity. I even ended up playing a bunch of short Flash based ARPG's in my darkest hours of desperation. I've beta-tested plenty of games, and even impacted a few. I haven't reviewed a game since Torchlight 2 (I regret giving it a 10, it's more like an 8 in comparison to Grim Dawn, as it's itemization lacked flavor and it's diversity was shallower than I realized) So Grim dawn is the first game I'll be reviewing in 2.5 years, as it has earned it.

    When I stumbled upon Grim Dawn I was intrigued, especially when I saw it's lead designer, Arthur Bruno, was also a leader in the development of Titan Quest (which fell short in a lot of ways but was the closest I had gotten, I loved the variety of items in that game and the dual class system). As I read up on him, and his posts, it occurred to me that he was the most articulate and intelligent mind I've ever come across when it came to designing ARPG's, and what made them so fun, and so difficult to get right. I originally pirated a version of the beta (build 13), then caved and bought early access around build 17. Each build was so significantly better than the last that I was floored by how such a small team could make such efficient progress. Slowly and slowly the feeling got better until around B21 when I realized it happened: I felt the drug-like Diablo 2 cravings become satiated for the first time in over a decade. Needless to say, they've made a fan of me. As for the review:

    Let's go over the basics:
    Music: 9 - Atmospheric, moody, grim. Fits the theme of the game, and at no times is tiresome. I only wish they had more songs in their soundtrack.
    Sound: 8 - Usually satisfying and fitting, but there are some spells and attacks that get annoying to hear. Forgivable as we all have our opinions, and they're a small team.
    General Combat: 10 - Meaty, corpses flying, enemies flinching and wailing as they die. Tons of variety and ways to make your foes cease to exist.
    Gameplay: 10 - Will go into this below
    Fun: 10 - Ditto

    I cannot summarize why I love Grim Dawn, as I love so many parts of it, but before I try to consider that this is a game originally made by like 2 full time employees and a few part-timers (eventually expanded to a full-time team of 10 people). It was kick-started by people who saw the potential of what Titan Quest could have been, and who were tired of Diablo-Clones failing to live up to the originals. Medierra (lead designer) and his team have on all accounts succeeded.

    An hack and slash that actually has a combat system with depth. It is a game with someone to offer every ARPG player. Whether you want to be a summoner, a massive area of effect spell caster, a dual wielder, a tank, a supporter, a ranged dps, or any combo of the above, you can do so in Grim Dawn... with style!

    Every skill in the game feels distinct in it's flavor, and with a devotion tree reminiscent of Path of Exile, yet very different, and items that can enhance an insane variety of your combat abilities, let alone grant you new skills and procs that you could build around. The higher difficulties you unlock are challenging but fair, and instead of just having a damned stat-wall (a numerical value your character must reach in it's stats before being able to reasonably progress) as many ARPG's opt for, Grim Dawn actual has some mechanical difficulty in it's fights, especially bosses. You will do best once you learn their abilities and how to play around them.

    The game is addictive to say the least. If there was anything it had that might put players off, it would be that there is so much going on in the combat formulas and stats available, that it might overwhelm less experience players.

    Do NOT let this stop you from trying this title. The best thing you can do to learn what means what, is jump in and experiment, and the players on the forum are more than happy to explain features and stats to you. Get past level 30 (out of 85) and you will see the game open up unlike any other you've played previously, and truly start to understand the scope of build customization available.

    My name is also adoomgod on steam, please feel free to add me to ask questions about GD, ARPG's in general, or for help building your character(s). GD is a game you will want to beat more than once, see you soon. :)    … Full Review »
  3. megabear
    Feb 25, 2016
    10
    Blizzard has a LOT to learn from the developers of Grim Dawn. Massively entertaining with depth that surpasses any ARPG in existence. I haveBlizzard has a LOT to learn from the developers of Grim Dawn. Massively entertaining with depth that surpasses any ARPG in existence. I have been waiting for this game to be released over the years and I'm so very happy to see that it's released and it's beautiful. A must buy.… Full Review »
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