Grim Dawn

 PC
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
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  1. OneEyeRed
    Mar 13, 2016
    10
    I don't usually write reviews or give such high scores to any game. However, as an early adopter and supporter of this game, I felt compelled to share my opinion. This is by far one, if not, the current best arpg you will find. So much love has gone into creating this masterpiece.

    The crate team are the same folks who gave us Titans Quest. If you enjoy arpg's you cannot go wrong    I don't usually write reviews or give such high scores to any game. However, as an early adopter and supporter of this game, I felt compelled to share my opinion. This is by far one, if not, the current best arpg you will find. So much love has gone into creating this masterpiece.

    The crate team are the same folks who gave us Titans Quest. If you enjoy arpg's you cannot go wrong purchasing this game. It is worth far more than Crate sells it as.    … Expand
  2. Pipemastersven
    Mar 2, 2016
    10
    Played the Alpha for the last year - and watching how the devs constantly updated the game, engaged with the community makes this game all the more sweeter; It has that classic ARPG style that gives your nostalgia a nice nod and really has that grittiness that we loved in the D1/D2 games.
    The perfect indie game in my opinion
  3. kozzy420
    Feb 25, 2016
    10
    Best Action rpg since Titan Quest and Diablo 2! Awesome variety in the enemies, great art design and fun gameplay. If you want a new action rpg, go pick this up ASAP!
  4. AthanasiosT
    Apr 3, 2016
    10
    Beautiful sceneries, atmospheric music, nice story, lots of loot, many character abilities from different trees, vast exploration areas, varying enemies and a haunted far-west world. Saying no more, I'm calling my crow and hellhound, getting my shotgun and playing my Sunday morning away..
  5. alexil
    May 25, 2016
    10
    After playing 300+ hours I finally feel ready to write short review. First, I think those who say that GD is just another Titan's Quest are totally wrong. Those people didn't play the game or played it not enough to see the difference. GD has much much more options to develop your character, you just don't see it at first glance. There are no OP skills, every skill is good when rightlyAfter playing 300+ hours I finally feel ready to write short review. First, I think those who say that GD is just another Titan's Quest are totally wrong. Those people didn't play the game or played it not enough to see the difference. GD has much much more options to develop your character, you just don't see it at first glance. There are no OP skills, every skill is good when rightly supported and implemented. Add in devotion tree and you have almost unlimited number of creativity choices. Along with huge variety of equipment/potions/relics improvements this what makes this game great.… Expand
  6. WarpAsylum
    Mar 1, 2016
    10
    Wow, I have been playing this game since its early release on steam. In an age of perpetually unfinished early release games, this one has really made it to the finial round. After the disappointment of Daiblo III, I really felt that nothing has come close to touching my favorite aRPG diablo II. While the setting inst quite the same, this is surely a modern take the classic game genre. AWow, I have been playing this game since its early release on steam. In an age of perpetually unfinished early release games, this one has really made it to the finial round. After the disappointment of Daiblo III, I really felt that nothing has come close to touching my favorite aRPG diablo II. While the setting inst quite the same, this is surely a modern take the classic game genre. A much needed edition i might add! The devs are truly badasses. No micro transaction. No FTP **** Just the game, go get it! Its soulful and so full of flavor, its like an everlasting stick of juciy fruit. FFS what are you waiting for!… Expand
  7. jiraiya78
    Feb 26, 2016
    10
    grim dawn is the best thing happen to loot hunter ARPG gamer. what i love about arpg is the loot (and story) but after diablo 2, titan quest and dungeon siege 2, i'm at loss for a new one. torchlight sure have quite interesting loot but the graphic doesn't captivate me or more accurate, it's turn me off.

    grim dawn is not server based game. it's not online game. the save file is saved    grim dawn is the best thing happen to loot hunter ARPG gamer. what i love about arpg is the loot (and story) but after diablo 2, titan quest and dungeon siege 2, i'm at loss for a new one. torchlight sure have quite interesting loot but the graphic doesn't captivate me or more accurate, it's turn me off.

    grim dawn is not server based game. it's not online game. the save file is saved locally. mean it's moddable, hackable. so if you the kind who care about other who cheat their game but not your game yet feel disturbed/concerned, then by all mean, spare your worry and look else where.

    you will like grim dawn if you like below item:
    - loot with variety of affixes. and many many things to find with particularly fair drop rate.
    - story driven (but not so much like DS2 or diablo). i particularly love story of d2 and ds2 so GD kinda struck below both but if you takes time to walk thru the world slowly and read thru lore notes, i think its gonna drown you in its forsaken world.
    - many choice of skill for build. i have already tried several including poison bullet occultist, blade throwing rogue, dual wield rogue, 2-handed shockwave spam soldier, storm totem shaman. and i have yet to try some few other build i want to try.
    - love to replay many many times. 2nd difficulty, replay quest. 3rd difficulty, replay quest. replay replay replay.
    - multiplayer with option for individual loot. since it hard for me to set rule with my dope friends.
    - looking at gorgeous world, zooming in to look more.
    - don't mind graphics that is not like latest engine. it's TQ engine after all with improve effects and feature.
    - modding tools which will come later. meaning i will get to play community driven contents and more class to play in future.

    my only wish for drum beat when fight boss monster. it's a bit dull fighting boss without fighting drum and victory drum. some people say it's dumb reason to ponder but why there are people talking about immersion?

    tldr: the dream of mine 6-7 years ago become true and better. the feeling is like, a child getting a room full of candy. it's really exciting.    … Expand
  8. 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 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    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 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. :)    … Expand
  9. Peeto
    Feb 27, 2016
    10
    Worth full AAA price, not 20 only. Already 100+ hours in. Who loves Diablo 1, 2, titan quest... buy it immediately, you will love it. Fully recommended.
  10. Krael
    Mar 1, 2016
    10
    This is the best single player Arpg since Diablo 2, simple as that. The mecanics, many systems of the game that slowly grow on you, you have just to play it and dont judge from the first hours, but after normal difficult (the first playthorugh) you begin to understand what the game offers.

    Its different from PoE ( Path of Exile,other exeptional arpg) enough to convive with it, they    This is the best single player Arpg since Diablo 2, simple as that. The mecanics, many systems of the game that slowly grow on you, you have just to play it and dont judge from the first hours, but after normal difficult (the first playthorugh) you begin to understand what the game offers.

    Its different from PoE ( Path of Exile,other exeptional arpg) enough to convive with it, they offer different thing. PoE is more for closed server features (ladders, leguague, economy/trading and so on). This one is more single player approach with modding capability, big open world, many dungeons and mobs, and so on.
    Different mecanics also but both very depth (maybe grim dawn in the mecanicas departament is a little better but its subjective, dont know).

    There 'is also Diablo 3, nice game, but dont have the depth of these two others arpg, just fluid combat and a short burst of fun, thats it. I dont consider it at the same level of GD and PoE. Too much arcade style.

    and..24 euros fot this? just 24 euros? joking? Its a robbery that we make to these developer i think, rise the price please (ehehe:D)

    Buy it, now, if you like real arpgs, nothing to add, really nothing to add:)    … Expand
  11. Klewer
    Aug 13, 2019
    10
    Coming in as a big Diablo 2 fan, heard good things about this and it's a very good ARPG. Solid mechanics and doesn't really stray too far from the formula. Good story and has that addictive gameplay that just jeeps you playing. Great game.
  12. brozermanik
    Jul 19, 2020
    10
    GamePlay 11/10
    Visual 8/10
    Audio 8/10
    UI/Controls 8/10
    Story 8/10
    Overall 9/10

    Best Diablo 2 experience you can get
  13. Arkess
    Mar 26, 2016
    10
    Если после выхода Титан Квеста трон, на котором восседал зверь, пошатнулся, то сейчас можно заявить без сомнений: прощай, Диабло.
  14. PeregrineOmega
    Mar 23, 2016
    10
    From Early Access right through release... always a pleasure to play. It fits somewhere in between Diablo and Path of Exile while finding its own space to exist in a remarkable fashion.

    Full of deep, complex skill trees and mountains of loot spread across a sprawling map with choices which actually impact the map, it has all the elements of a classic ARPG that keep you coming back.    From Early Access right through release... always a pleasure to play. It fits somewhere in between Diablo and Path of Exile while finding its own space to exist in a remarkable fashion.

    Full of deep, complex skill trees and mountains of loot spread across a sprawling map with choices which actually impact the map, it has all the elements of a classic ARPG that keep you coming back.

    This one's for the ages.    … Expand
  15. grexwex
    Mar 3, 2016
    10
    Everything that needs to be said about this game has already been said.. I just hope the devs will be able to keep expanding Gim Dawn for a long time.
  16. pongkrit03
    Sep 10, 2020
    10
    Definitely Diablo 2 successor, it even went beyond that with two classes combination and the star system. It allows you to craft (buff) skill like never before. The possibility of builds is huge to the point It put Diablo 3 to shame. The dark atmosphere is right on point. Music is awesome too. COOP/ PVP you name it. Endless dungeon ?, yes it has with cheap DLC. I don't see any flaw inDefinitely Diablo 2 successor, it even went beyond that with two classes combination and the star system. It allows you to craft (buff) skill like never before. The possibility of builds is huge to the point It put Diablo 3 to shame. The dark atmosphere is right on point. Music is awesome too. COOP/ PVP you name it. Endless dungeon ?, yes it has with cheap DLC. I don't see any flaw in this game at all. In my opinion this game is perfect in every way, like ARPG in dream.

    In sum, I played a lot of ARPG, POE too and I have to say Grim dawn is the best ARPG I've ever played. The game also has good controller support. I strongly recommend this game to every hardcore ARPG out there, and buy them all dlc so you can have 3 more classes.    … Expand
  17. vidra
    Mar 7, 2016
    10
    I have been playing Grim Dawn for quite a while now and even well before it was released it offered a smooth experience. I think the team took the best parts of Titan Quest and Diablo 2 and created a game Diablo 3 should have been. So if you were left somewhat disappointed by D3 and are yearning for a Diablo experience, look no further. Grim Dawn is the bee's knees. Immersive campaign,I have been playing Grim Dawn for quite a while now and even well before it was released it offered a smooth experience. I think the team took the best parts of Titan Quest and Diablo 2 and created a game Diablo 3 should have been. So if you were left somewhat disappointed by D3 and are yearning for a Diablo experience, look no further. Grim Dawn is the bee's knees. Immersive campaign, demonic atmosphere, great looking graphics and audio, a proper skill tree with two specializations provide a seemingly endless number of combinations, especially with the Devotion system and unique Legendary items.… Expand
  18. Dexxxter25
    Feb 28, 2016
    10
    Probably the best aRPG since Diablo 2. Some the negative reviews seem to be focused on miner things such as poor animations or insulting devs or poor optimization. What apparently these people don't realize is how small the team is and how far the game really has come and will continue to improve.

    Theory crafting different builds in Grim Dawn is probably where the true allure lies, as    Probably the best aRPG since Diablo 2. Some the negative reviews seem to be focused on miner things such as poor animations or insulting devs or poor optimization. What apparently these people don't realize is how small the team is and how far the game really has come and will continue to improve.

    Theory crafting different builds in Grim Dawn is probably where the true allure lies, as the loot is some of the most diverse and interesting loot in aRPG's. On top of combining two classes and complimenting your build with loot. You have the entire devotion system that gives you even further customization. What the game may lack in flashy skills (diablo 3) it makes up for with heart, soul, and a dedicated development team that regularly interacts with the community.

    This game is worth well more than the $25.00 price tag they are asking, I mean compare that to what you got on Diablo 3's release at $60.00. Do yourself a favor and support this small indie team! you won't regret it!    … Expand
  19. Aeolian
    Apr 19, 2020
    10
    Pros:
    + Gorgeous graphics
    + Atmosphere
    + The freedom of choosing classes and different combinations, experimenting with builds.
    + Real fun playing with all kinds of abilities
    + A lot of ground to cover (a lot)
    + Really fun playing it with a friend or friends

    Cons:
    - none . Honestly i can't think of anything negative to say about this game.
  20. Barby
    Aug 16, 2016
    10
    A vast handmade world where each inch feels unique with its own environment, sometimes I stop on an abandoned farm only to see the beautiful sunset... I remember that was easy to start but hard to leave once I was progressing, discovering, crafting, building, is similar to Path of Exile but also is a full game that can be played offline and with mod support could be endless.
  21. michaelrediger
    Dec 4, 2017
    10
    I've spent 300 hours playing this game and it has been insanely fun. There are tons of different items and weapons and the map is pretty big. The monsters look cool and there is a **** of replay value
  22. FlorianGh
    Feb 26, 2016
    10
    A really good ARPG. It reminds me a lot of D2 and I love the fact that it does not require an internet connection. I have spend already 173 hours on early access and now finally I can play it in full. A lot have change in the course of development and it really is one of the few EA games that really managed to pull it off. Congratulations Crate Entertainment ! Don't tun up into an evil corp. :D
  23. balooo666
    Apr 27, 2022
    10
    amazing game far better than diablo 3 and 2 remake this gem should be a barometer for all ARPG's
  24. Ceno
    Mar 4, 2016
    10
    792 hours in with every intent to push that value over two thousand or more. With 201 Games on Steam, it is my most-played and easily my favorite. Oh, you want a review? OK then...

    Grim Dawn presents a nitty-gritty world ravaged both my man's mistakes as much as otherworldly invasion. The feel of this world is perpetuated in every facet of the design of the game. Skills and attacks -    792 hours in with every intent to push that value over two thousand or more. With 201 Games on Steam, it is my most-played and easily my favorite. Oh, you want a review? OK then...

    Grim Dawn presents a nitty-gritty world ravaged both my man's mistakes as much as otherworldly invasion. The feel of this world is perpetuated in every facet of the design of the game. Skills and attacks - player and enemy alike - are brutal and satisfying. The UI is precisely what it needs to be to get the points of its contents across to the player; it is no fancier than that. The quests have a purpose to them - 'We feel threatened by X, fix that for us by slaying him/her/it' - but they do not go out of their way in their descriptions to make their completion any easier than a rough idea of where to go. This game is designed to be played solely by you, your inclinations, and you intuition, not to help you play it with omniscient developer input and assistance. But you get what you give, and then a little more. You'll hunt across beautiful hand-crafted landscapes for terrifyingly monstrous entities, read immersive and haunting texts scattered throughout the world, and develop a character of your own design, one of your own play-style and skill choices.

    OK, so that's all the RPG stuff out of the way. So how does Grim Dawn put the Action in Action-RPG? At the beginning of the game, it does not do so wildly. Nor should it; if you started a god then any godly things you did throughout the game would feel all the same. But eventually the combat of Grim Dawn becomes fast paced and as brutal as the world around you. Every enemy in Grim Dawn is designed to kill you with merciless potency, and you'll have in your arsenal an array of spells, skills, and items to decimate you foes with terrific effect. Rarely will you ever feel truly immortal; the world of Grim Dawn has foes tough enough to go toe-to-toe with the most dedicated players.

    Grim Dawn is a hack-and-slash ARPG that does everything it needs to and so much more. I've spent around $150 on the game between gifts and pre-purchasing for myself, and I've gotten more than five hours of enjoyment for every dollar spent. If you've read this far, do yourself the favor and pick it up for $25.    … Expand
  25. replica17
    Mar 14, 2016
    10
    Okay so here's my story.

    Bought the game, started playing.... many hours later.. euh wait? shouldn"t I go sleep? Work? Yeah man, this game is the ****

    Like aprg, no-brainer to buy. Even if you don't think you will like it, buy it .. you won't regret!
  26. MarleVVLL
    Feb 25, 2016
    10
    Grim Dawn is a lovely APRG set full of customization and adventure. It maintains a healthy amount of difficulty with satisfying combat. It is a value compared to its competitors and offers a fresh take on the genre.
  27. Lokiii
    Mar 2, 2016
    10
    I play every Single Action RPG and Grim Dawn is the King of all. This Game has the best Gaming Expirience is a better Version of Titan Quest and eat your free Time like a pro on a Hot dog eating competition. You love Hack & Slay? You have Grim Dawn. You like Hack & Slay? you want Grim Dawn. You know Hack and Slay? Buy Grim Dawn. And any other Person can look into the Game and fell into love :)
  28. MaxWar
    Feb 25, 2016
    10
    I just don't know how to properly describe the awesomeness that Grim dawn is.
    I think I will just cry from pure happiness. Even after I played it 300h
    Ok I'm off to play Grim dawn, bye.
  29. BullPower
    Apr 27, 2016
    10
    One of the best if not the best RPG game since Diablo 2. I think many were waiting for game like this which brings back that feeling which real RPG games used to have.
  30. 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 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.
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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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. CD-Action
    May 30, 2016
    85
    Dozens of hours of hacking and slashing done so well and so addictive that you could swear it’s Blizzard’s game. [05/2016, p.56]
  2. Pelit (Finland)
    May 9, 2016
    87
    Grim Dawn scratches the right action RPG itch with a plenty of loot to hoard and a decent skill system that offers plenty of options to build the perfect demon-blasting hero. The only problem is the lack of a proper endgame, as the non-randomized maps and locations becoming too familiar too fast. [May 2016]
  3. RPG Fan
    May 9, 2016
    79
    Truly, Grim Dawn represents the modern gamer's slot machine, where three cherries are a set item drop and three 7's are a jackpot of a story that never comes to fruition.
    Read full review
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