Grim Dawn Review (Pnak)
Grim Dawn is by all accounts the spiritual successor to Titan Quest. While it doesn't break any new ground in the ARPG genre, what it does offer is a Class system that gives players the freedom to combine and experiment with 5 "Masteries" from the base game and 3 more available through DLC expansions. Each Mastery has it's own set of skills and passives that can be specialized and hybridized to fit into whatever play style the player chooses. After reaching level 10, you are given the choice of a second Mastery, opening up even more options. Devotions add a second layer to character customization. Each constellation gives generous bonuses to damage types or resistances and offer additional skills and abilities to complement play styles.
The setting of the game is unique and is a great example of "Grimdark" fantasy. Even if the story doesn't hook the player, the environments and overall universe are consistent; some quests and decisions the player face exemplify how desperate and disturbed the setting can be. There is also quite a bit of detail added to each area. As you explore you will find destructible walls that lead to secret rooms, entire zones blocked behind a broken bridge or pile of boulders, and hidden bosses. Exploration is not necessary, but a diligent player who spends time looking around will be bound to find some secret others may have missed.
Another praise worthy point isn't about the game itself. Despite being released in 2016, there are no in-game purchases, no "token store", and no micro-transactions. There are cosmetic packs available, but they are limited and not heavily advertised. The DLC expansions of this game are exactly that: expansions. Not only do you get a new story with new areas filled with the same detail as the base game, but you also gain access to new Masteries, opening up more ways to play. In an age where games are being sold as "services" or "experiences", it's nice to find a game that knows what it means to be fun and not ask more out of the player.
It's not all good news, however. The biggest and most glaring downside of Grim Dawn is the graphics. Visually, the game is sufficient, but leaves a lot to be desired. Character models tend to look chunky and spell effects come off as bland. The upside to this is that this game can run on a potato, but for a game that was released in 2016, one would expect more.
Overall, Grim Dawn is a must have for any ARPG fan. Even with it's dated graphics, the game offers a deep level of Class customization that will have you mixing and matching new combinations of Masteries, skills, and Devotions, breathing in new life play-through after play-through. DLC like The Crucible or the Shattered Realm from Forgotten Gods offer ways to keep playing even after finishing the stories. If you can look past the dated graphics and enjoy a game for just being fun, then you will find a game worthy of a permanent slot in your favorites list.