Torchlight 2 Beta: Monsters, Loot, And Sleep Deprivation, Oh My

Runic is offering up four distinct classes to play as: Berserker, Embermage, Outlander, and Engineer. The best part of these classes, for gamers who feel robbed of their skill trees, is that each class has three separate skill trees to select abilities from. Each set has around 13 abilities for each tree, which means you'll be able to create a wide variety of different play builds. Stats play a crucial part in building your character. Once you gain a new level you will be granted points to assign to a variety of areas such as strength, dexterity, focus, and vitality.

Selecting the Embermage, for all of your monster slaughtering needs, sets you up with a powerful ranged class that can unleash blats of high-energy fire, ice, and electricity. An offensive spellcaster that can teleport over distances, or even teleport enemies themselves for short-range damage. These arcane masters study the magical mineral known as Ember as they gain a greater knowledge of understanding thaumaturgic principles. Yet, they cannot actually draw the energy from the Ember, they are merely experts of observation. Embermages replicate the effects of the Ember through mediation and a wide range of experimentation. This results in a devastating mastery of the elements and even the laws of space and time.

The Outlander is another of the ranged classes that combines speed, skill, magical arcane arts, and long-range accuracy to devastate their opponents with precise skill. Speed is your key ally when you play as the Outlander. Through a combination of firearms and arcane arts, the Outlander is the perfect choice for those who want a ranged focus without the sole reliance on magic. A key tactic as you play with the nimble warrior is to herd groups of enemies together and strike from afar with your deadly throwing glaive. The spinning blade of razor-sharp death is a perfect ally as you journey through Torchlight 2. A rifle and pistol in the other hand provides the perfect combination of precision striking, and pure destruction.

Hailing from the Valgang tribes of the icy north, the Berserker class is the perfect personification of the offensive melee class. These furious warriors rely on an insatiable thirst for winning fame, fortune, and glory. They venture through the world searching for treasures and foes that will offer a worthy challenge for their blades. Playing the Berserker will find you relying on strength, speed, brutality, and the power of the totem beasts. "Totem Beasts?" Oh, these are only a trio of ferocious animals that you will be able to use in your adventures across the land. The Vur (wolf), grants your character a single-minded perseverance; the Dralk, embodies the raw power of the dragons of old; while the Krax (raven), embodies the cunning of mother nature to provide your melee devastator with an increased mental state to bind them all together. Your enemies will find themselves kneeling before the unrelenting force of spectral wolves and dragon fire at the press of a button.

The Engineer is the last of the classes to select from, but it certainly doesn't disappoint. They are the technological workhorse for the Empire, venturing into the world in order to further technological advancements. Their strength resides within Ember-fueled, steam-driven armor that provides them with unparalleled defenses. The Engineer is a melee class that can quickly be referenced to the tank of Torchlight 2, and underestimating their power would be a serious mistake. Their technological expertise grants them the ability to bind their massive weaponry with the mighty power of the Ember. Melee strikes create surges of energy that cut down their opponents. The Engineer's armor itself has the ability to radiate these massive surges of energy that makes them even deadlier. The Engineer can withstand punishment, and deal it out in droves. They are the perfect warrior for the frontlines of warfare. http://youtu.be/2CZX80TeZv4 After selecting your perfect class, be sure to choose your animal companion that will accompany on your journey. Pets provide more than just an ally for those lonely nights questing through dungeon after dungeon. Pets can act as a trading companion while you're out in the field. Have a bunch of junk in your trunk? Switch it all out to your animal and send him to town to sell it off while you continue your monster destruction. Your animal friend can even pick up some items while he's in town. Think of him as you're adorable servant, you're deadly adorable servant. I selected my Wolf companion, "Thor", and debated which class to select. Since my melee infatuation runs deep in my veins, the option of choosing either the Berserker or Engineer was a tough choice. Both taunted me with their brute strength, yet in the end I selected the Barbar--I mean Berserker, and it certainly didn't disappoint as I dove into Act 1 of the game. Hand at the ready to click away, with a smile on my face.