Diablo 2 is one of these games which defined their genre, much like MGS defined stealth games, and Doom defined first-person shooters.
The story of Tristram and its neverending problems with evil emerging from the crypts underneath is an absolute classic, and millions of players have latched onto the dark fantasy setting, intense hack and slash gameplay, and a wealth of loot to perfect your niche character builds with.
But Diablo II, nor its successor Diablo III are the only games in the genre, of course. There are dozens of titles following in the similar footsteps, taking place in diverse worlds and featuring their own unique gameplay quirks.
As a result if you’d love to find some alternatives and take a break from saving humanity from the machinations of demons and endless deliberations of angels who just don’t care, we’re here with a list of…
Game | Release | Genre | Developer | |
---|---|---|---|---|
V Rising | 2022-05-17 | Survival | Stunlock Studios | |
Last Epoch | 2019-04-30 | Survival | Stunlock Studios | |
Destiny 2: Legacy Collection | 2022-01-18 | FPS | Bungie Inc | |
Children of Morta Steam | 2019-09-01 | Adventure | Dead Mage | |
Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr | 2018-06-05 | Adventure | NEOCORE GAMES | |
Torchlight | 2009-10-27 | RPG | Runic Games | |
Grim Dawn | 2016-02-25 | Adventure | Crate Entertainment | |
Torchlight 2 | 2012-10-02 | Adventure | Runic Games | |
Darksiders 3 | 2018-11-27 | Adventure | Gunfire Games | |
Borderlands 3 Standard Edition | 2020-04 | Action RPG | Gearbox Software | |
Warhammer Chaosbane | 2019-06-04 | Adventure | Eko Software | |
Book Of Demons | 2016-07-28 | Adventure | Thing Trunk | |
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut | 2015-11-06 | Adventure | NEOCORE GAMES | |
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II | 2014-05-22 | Adventure | NEOCORE GAMES | |
Titan Quest Anniversary Edition | 2016-08-31 | RPG | Iron Lore Entertainment | |
Torchlight 3 | 2020-06-13 | RPG | Echtra Inc. | |
Sacred 2 Gold | 2012-12-21 | Adventure | Ascaron | |
Hades | 2019-12-10 | Indie | Supergiant Games | |
Terraria | 2011-05-16 | Adventure | Re-Logic | |
Wolcen Lords Of Mayhem | 2016-03-24 | Adventure | WOLCEN Studio | |
Dungeon Siege 3 | 2011-06-16 | RPG | Obsidian Entertainment | |
Victor Vran | 2015-07-24 | Adventure | Haemimont Games | |
Dungeon Siege Collection | 2002-04-05 | Adventure |
Lost Ark
Release: | 2022-02-11 |
Genre: | MMORPG |
Developer: | Tripod Studio and Smilegate's |
Lost Ark isn’t exactly a completely fresh game – it launched in 2019 in South Korea, but its Western release came in 2022.
It’s an action-packed MMORPG giving you the choice of several classes which can slash, punch, and blast their way through swarming hordes of enemies, hoping for new juicy loot and drops you need to complete the game’s many quests.
Each class’s abilities are very flashy, and tend to combo together very nicely for enhanced effects. You also get to tweak them more and more as you level up. If you don’t mind the intensely “anime” aesthetic, Lost Ark can deliver a lot of fun. It even has a storyline and lots of dialogues, including romanceable NPCs you can do special quests for. Try it out, the game is free!
Key features |
---|
|
V Rising
Release: | 2022-05-17 |
Genre: | Survival |
Developer: | Stunlock Studios |
An unexpected hit of May 2022, V Rising is presented as a vampiric survival game, and you do have to pay attention not only to your thirst for blood, but also the scorching rays of the sun which can ruining your day if you don’t stick to the shadows.
But in addition to the survival concerns, V Rising also allows your to travel the world, face plentiful enemies in battles, and loot their stuff.
As a child of the night you are given incredible powers which you can deploy easily when you get yourself into action-packed combat. On top of that, for extra show of vampiric powers, you also get to build and customize your own fortress, because what good is a vampire in a Gothic horror world without a gloomy castle where he can ponder the miserable and deceitful nature of humanity?
Key features |
---|
|
Destiny 2
Release: | 2017-08-28 |
Genre: | FPS |
Developer: | Bungie Inc |
Indeed, Destiny 2 is a first-person shooter, but don’t let it distract you from it’s Diablo-like nature.
Not only does the loot come in large quantities and variants, but you also get powerful abilities tied to the class you pick for your Guardian: you can be a tanky Titan, a seemingly sorcerous Warlock, or a nimble Hunter. Each class comes with its own specializations, as well as powerful ults.
There’s also an epic-scale storyline, challenging raids, and, most important of all: excellent co-operative multiplayer. Destiny 2 is also a great alternative to Borderlands (also featured on the list) if you’d like top-tier shooting, but don’t fancy BL’s aesthetic or sense of humor. Destiny 2 is a fantastic game made by genre veterans Bungie, and the base experience is free to play, so check it out!
Key features |
---|
|
Children of Morta
Release: | 2019-09-01 |
Genre: | Adventure |
Developer: | Dead Mage |
Usually in Diablo-adjacent games you play as some kind of mercenary, but not in Children of Morta.
Here each class is a different member of a family of heroes who protect a mystically important mountain. From a traditional sword & shield fighter to a fire mage, each class is substantially different from others, and you’ll have to figure out all of them eventually.
CoM is also a roguelike, and between runs you’ll experience the developing story of the Bergsons as they fight to keep the land safe and their family happy. Unlike most games on the list, Children of Morta features a low-fi, pixelated, still lovely aesthetic which will be easy on your PC. If you fancy family stories, roguelikes, and fast-paced action, give this game a chance.
Key features |
---|
|
Warhammer 40.000: Inquisitor - Martyr
Release: | 2018-06-05 |
Genre: | Adventure |
Developer: | NEOCORE GAMES |
They say that there’s nothing but war in the 41st millennium, but that’s misleading.
There’s also heresy, dangerous aliens, and demonic spawn of Chaos itself. It’s the last one that’s going to be your main target in Warhammer 40k: Inquisitor – Martyr, an action RPG from the creators of The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing.
Your character, the eponymous Inquisitor, comes in three classes (four, counting the expansion), and has access to an inspiring amount of weaponry and armor to blast Chaos with. The game is a bit more tactical than its predecessor thanks to a cover system. It can benefit both you (and your squad – the game features co-op) and your enemies. But that’s not something a grenade can’t solve.
Key features |
---|
|
Torchlight 2
Release: | 2012-10-02 |
Genre: | Adventure |
Developer: | Runic Games |
Torchlight 2 meets all good sequel requirements – more, better, faster.
Thanks to the new co-op system now you can explore the colorful realm of Vilderan with best friends and decide the fate of this world. The isometric graphics are reminiscent of the classics of the genre, which inspired the Torchlight series, and the multitude of options when it comes to choosing a character class or playing style provides hours of great fun.
Despite “only” having four classes, there’s still plenty of room for specialized builds, which you can test in the singleplayer campaign before jumping online for some co-op. There’s even a story, and it is kickstarted by a character from the original game destroying the titular town. It’s up to you to figure out the reasons for this unprecedented behavior.
Key features |
---|
|
Path of Exile
Release: | 2013-10-23 |
Genre: | Action |
Developer: | Grinding Gear Games |
Often referred to as a spiritual heir to Diablo, Path of Exile has been enjoying unflagging popularity for many years.
Mountains of loot, complex and engaging character progression are the main characteristic features of Path of Exile. This game also has a dedicated fan base that is growing day by day, drawn by PoE’s extremely flexible progression system based on complex skill tree and abilities slotted into weapons.
Another attractive factor is the fact that Path of Exile is a completely free-to-play game, you just need to go to download it, create an account, and you’re ready to play. The financial barrier of entry is non-existent, and even with the Path of Exile 2 on the horizon it’s never a bad idea to jump into PoE.
Key features |
---|
|
Torchlight 3
Release: | 2020-06-13 |
Genre: | Action RPG |
Developer: | Echtra Games |
The third Torchlight is very similar to Diablo 3 and, of course, its immediate predecessors.
A big new thing added in TL3 is the fort which serves as your base of operations and can be renovated and upgraded at your leisure. Otherwise, the basics are quite familiar: four classes, tons of loot, plenty of good-natured fun to be had.
Torchlight’s success is built largely on the cartoonish exaggerated graphics which making more aesthetically pleasant experience to explore and learn about the world. Then again, the highly dynamic combat and a very useful pet are nothing to sneeze at either. However you slice it, it’s a great adventure which we cannot refuse.
Key features |
---|
|
Grim Dawn
Release: | 2016-02-25 |
Genre: | Adventure |
Developer: | Crate Entertainment |
Notable for its dual-class system, Grim Dawn offers us a dark, bloody, and gloomy world to explore.
Humanity is on the brink of extinction at the hands of two groups of extra-dimensional beings and only a few scattered villages are left. It’s up to you to push back against the forces of darkness, one horde of bloodthirsty mobs at a time.
You don’t have to face these dangers alone or unaided. Like any good descendant of Diablo, Grim Dawn showers you with loot and is very welcoming to a 4-player co-op. There’s even a crafting system, in case you like tinkering. GD is easily one of the best games in the genre, especially when you’re starved of dark fantasy settings.
Key features |
---|
|
Borderlands 3
Release: | 2021-04-08 |
Genre: | Action & Shooter |
Developer: | Gearbox Software |
Borderlands 3 proves that we do not have to limit ourselves to worlds of sword and magic – instead, you can grab a gun!
More importantly, there are thousands of these guns, and each fight is a chance to get even better equipment. The graphics of the game use cel-shading to create a comic book-like appearance which works well with the series’ sense of humor.
The game’s adrenaline-fueled mayhem rarely give you a moment to rest, but if you’d like something more than singleplayer can offer, BL3’s two multiplayer modes are as good as ever. What’s more, you can finally break out of planet Pandora, known from the previous parts of the series, thanks to Sanctuary 3, your own space ship.
Key features |
---|
|
Warhammer: Chaosbane
Release: | 2019-06-04 |
Genre: | Adventure |
Developer: | Eko Software |
Warhammer Chaosbane is an action RPG which it takes you on a blood-soaked adventure through many famous locations from the Old World, including Praag and Nuln. W
ith five distinct characters/classes you have a satisfying array of playstyles available to you, including an ultra-violent Slayer turning enemy hordes int mincemeat.
Chaosbane’s presentation is very reminiscent of Diablo 3, with an isometric camera, mouse-guide movement, and flashy abilities. If you always wished somebody made a Warhammer Diablo, this is the game you’ve been dreaming about all these years. Now got and thwart the dark ambitions of Ruinous Powers by any means necessary.
Key features |
---|
|
Book of Demons
Release: | 2016-07-28 |
Genre: | Adventure |
Developer: | Thing Trunk |
One of the more unusual games on the list – a kind of combination of a card game and a hack’n’slash.
Thanks to a special system of randomly generated dungeons, each expedition will look different, which significantly improves the longevity of the game, and each new exploration may surprise us with something different.
Unique art style catches the eye, and a well-developed bestiary means that we are constantly faced with new challenges. It is worth giving Book of Demons a chance to find out for yourself if this approach to the subject of games like Diablo is something you’re keen on. You might be surprised by your discoveries.
Key features |
---|
|
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing
Release: | 2013-05-22 |
Genre: | Action |
Developer: | NeocoreGames |
The game is clearly inspired by one of the most memorable characters from Bram Stocker’s novel “Dracula”.
As you can easily guess, we play the role of the (son of) eponymous monster hunter, Van Helsing, who solves occult problems in a fictional country of Borgova, in the company of the charming Lady Catrina, who also happens to be a dangerous ghost..
Van Helsing Junior comes in several general classes, covering the technology, magic, and weaponry in different proportions. Crucially, the game, and the entire trilogy, is quite lighthearted, with many cheeky references and quips exchanged by Van Helsing and Lady Katarina. It’s also great for co-op, if you fancy this kind of experience.
Key features |
---|
|
Titan Quest
Release: | 2016-08-31 |
Genre: | RPG |
Developer: | Iron Lore Entertainment |
A classic hack’n’slash, the plot of which is inspired by the mythology of Greece, Egypt, Babylon, and China.
Thanks to these inspirations, we will be able to visit such famous places as the Pyramids of Giza or the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and face in battle many creatures drawn directly from the myths of these regions, starting with Ancient Greece.
Multiplayer mode allows up to six players to play together. Interestingly, for the tenth anniversary of the game’s release, the developers released a special “anniversary edition”, which fixes many previously found bugs, improves the balance, and introduces a number of fixes. Thanks to this, the game gained a second youth.
Key features |
---|
|
Sacred 2
Release: | 2012-12-21 |
Genre: | Adventure |
Developer: | Ascaron |
Sacred 2 is a great follow up to 2004’s Sacred, a very straightforward, and very good, Diablo-clone.
S2 takes more risks, including a fully 3D environment, a huge map, and great progression system fueled equally by skill points and gear you discover during your travels. There are also unique mounts for each of the seven playable characters.
Sacred 2 also features a very unique and creative roster of playable classes/characters – we get to play as Seraphim, an undead Shadow Warrior, an Inquisitor, or even an ancient canine cyborg. Combat system is genre-standard, but despite the game being quite old by now, it still looks pretty cool, and many designs hold up despite Sacred 2’s age.
Key features |
---|
|
Hades
Release: | 2019-12-10 |
Genre: | Indie |
Developer: | Supergiant Games |
As a roguelite. Hades is a very different beast than other entries on the list.
However, if what you’re looking for are dungeons, hordes of enemies, and incredible potential for absurdly spectacular builds, then you should check it out regardless, because it is absolutely excellent in that regard, with six weapons (each with several variants), and a complex system of divine boons enhancing your abilities.
Hades even features a really good story revealed bit by bit through a clever dialogue system reacting to your progress and other events without you even having to pick dialogue options. And above all else, the combat is a spectacular flurry of attacks, dodges, parries… and often also death, sending you back to square one with some resources to sweeten the blow.
Key features |
---|
|
Terraria
Release: | 2011-05-16 |
Genre: | Adventure |
Developer: | Re-Logic |
The first thing that becomes clear when you launch Terraria is that it loves old-school, 16-bit games and their aesthetic.
Don’t be fooled by that, however: its a complex, satisfying, at times really hard and dynamic game that balances engaging, free-form base-building with a lot of combat as you delve the depths of the 2D world.
As your magnificent headquarters rise ever upwards and welcomes friendly NPCs, you also can craft new equipment to challenge ever more dangerous monsters and many bosses threatening the world. Terraria is one of the highest-rated games on Steam, and it fully deserves this position. Give it a chance and you’ll learn why.
Key features |
---|
|
Wolcen
Release: | 2016-03-24 |
Genre: | Adventure |
Developer: | WOLCEN Studio |
Wolcen is a very dynamic and visually impressive hack’n’slash which will keep you playing for hours.
A large variety of items means that everyone will find their favorite weapon, and the multitude of available skills allows you to develop suitable tactics for every opponent, if you so wish.
Wolcen’s progression deserves a paragraph of its own, because it rivals Path of Exile’s in terms of complexity and freedom. Here it’s expressed by allowing you to rotate certain segments of the skill tree to pretty much reshape it to your liking. If that isn’t enough, you can also tweak the skills themselves. It’s a powergamer paradise!
Key features |
---|
|
Dungeon Siege III
Release: | 2011-06-16 |
Genre: | RPG |
Developer: | Obsidian Entertainment |
Obsidian’s take on the third instalment of the classic 3D hack’n’slash series strayed even further from the charming original than the second one did, but the end result is still quite fun to play.
It focuses much more on action than tactics, but also leans more into the narrative RPGs systems than previous entries did, which balances things.
An important aspect of DS3’s gameplay are the dual playstyles of each character. For example Lucas can swap between sword & shield and a greatsword, while Anjali fights either with a spear or her innate fire-manipulation abilities. It’s quite varied, and you can plug the gaps in yout playstyle by recruiting an NPC companion with complementary talents.
Key features |
---|
|
Victor Vran
Release: | 2015-07-24 |
Genre: | Adventure |
Developer: | Haemimont Games |
Victor Vran mixes the classic aRPG mouse controls with some extra action through dynamic dodging and jumping, useful both in combat and in exploration.
As for the traditional stuff, VV ditched class-based progression in favor of a free-form development, which means you can shape the character into exactly the kind of fighter you want to play as.
You can also tweak the game’s difficulty through Hex items providing a dangerous mix of buffs and debuff to you and your foes, balanced by destiny cards granting you useful passive bonuses. Of course, there’s also multiplayer, both a PvE co-op and a PvP arena where you and your friends can unleash your builds upon each other.
Key features |
---|
|
Plenty of hack and slash games for everyone!
Thus ends our list of the best diablo-like games which can satisfy your thirst for blood and loot long after you’ve beaten every set item out of bosses in Diablo 2 Resurrected or the original D2. They should easily tide you over until the release of Diablo IV, and for a long time after you beat that game too.