The action role-playing game Torchlight: Frontiers shows that player feedback is valuable. The leveling system has now been revised based on the testers’ suggestions.
What was the issue with character development? Players reported that they did not understand how the system worked and that it simply took too long to acquire new skills. These were often not very impressive, and there was no excitement for the next level-up.
Due to this feedback, the system had to be adjusted again, after criticism about leveling had already occurred earlier.
Many changes at the request of the community
What is changing now? Update 6 brings a whole series of changes to the alpha version of Torchlight Frontiers, making the system much more classic. The developers explain they are now more focused on Diablo 2. This way, they can offer something that many action RPG fans are familiar with. Moreover, some of the developers have worked on Diablo 2 and can incorporate their experiences.
These are the changes now:
- Monsters and bosses give more EXP. This way, you level up faster and reach new skills more quickly.
- There is no need to grind as much.
- It is easier to develop strategies and goals for your character.
- You may acquire skills faster, but obtaining and upgrading all abilities remains a challenge.
- Players more often feel like they are achieving something with their character.
- Skill points are now distributed at level-up and are no longer a “currency” obtained as loot.
- All skills can be upgraded to level 20.
- You no longer need to unlock skill upgrade levels to use new skill points.
- The skill screen has been revised.
That’s why the system is not final yet: The new skill system is now being tested with the current update. Players are invited to provide feedback.
What will happen to the passive skills and skill stations, which currently have no effect, is still unclear. Passive skills have been temporarily removed, and skill stations currently have no function. However, the developers are considering incorporating new features to make these aspects meaningful again.
What else did the update bring? It is now easier to revive your hero. You have the option to respawn at the location you died (for 10 percent of your gold), at the entrance of the level (costs 5 percent of gold), or in town (free).
Additionally, there are adjustments to the recently introduced class of the railway fighter, who uses a train to defeat his opponents.
Furthermore, there are some optimizations to balancing, and many bugs have been fixed.
A necessary adjustment?
How are players reacting to the change? For the most part, the adjustment to the leveling and skill system has been well received, as it is based on community feedback. Many see this change as necessary, as the new system simply feels familiar and classic, especially for fans of Diablo 2.
zebz for example states in the official forum: “The new system looks fantastic. The skill tree is what many of us have wished for.”
However, some players find it a bit disappointing that Torchlight Frontiers now uses such a classic system and forgoes innovations.
elve states: “For me, the new system is a step back in terms of innovation. However, I understand why many players have asked for exactly such a system. Although I do not agree with it, I accept it.”
How the new skill and leveling system plays can now be tried out by testers of Torchlight Frontiers with the new update.
