The Torch's power

Lore & Background

The game is set in the fictional town of Torchlight and the expansive caverns and dungeons nearby. The story focuses on a mysterious ore known as Ember, which has the power to imbue people and items with magical power. The mining boomtown of Torchlight is built above a rich vein of Ember. As the player character explores the dungeons, they discover that Ember has a corrupting influence which led to the fall of past civilizations. The player is recruited by a sage named Syl, who is searching for her mentor, Master Alric. Alric eventually ambushes the player, having become evil due to the corrupting influence of Ember. The player must face Alric and an ancient creature named Ordrak, the source of the Ember's corruption.

Reader's Guide

The player controls a lone hero who explores randomized dungeons, fighting enemies and collecting loot. The game features a single town hub where the player can buy and sell items and obtain quests. The player develops their character by placing points into class-specific skill trees. There are three character classes: the Destroyer (melee warrior), the Alchemist (spellcaster), and the Vanquisher (ranged specialist). The player has a permanent pet that fights alongside and can carry and sell loot. A retirement system allows passing an heirloom item from an old character to a newly created one.

Did You Know?

• The game was developed in approximately 11 months, starting full production around November 2008.
• The art style was inspired by comic books and classic film animation, described as 'Dragon's Lair meets The Incredibles.'
• The game uses the OGRE open-source 3D graphics engine and was designed to run on a wide range of systems, including a 'netbook' mode.
• Composer Matt Uelmen, known for his work on Diablo, created the original music and sound for Torchlight.