Grim Dawn review

Grim Dawn is both an unoriginal blast from the past and potentially the most refreshing ARPG of the last decade. Traditional hack-and-slash RPGs have evolved into something of a niche subgenre. While a handful of noteworthy titles come out each year, few get enough fanfare to stand alongside the biggest AAA projects. Diablo and possibly Torchlight are recent exceptions, but they both have their detractors. Diablo III launched in an incredibly frustrating state, while Torchlight II’s quirky aesthetic may not strike a chord with old-school fans who love early offerings from the subgenre.

History

Grim Dawn lives up to its name. Set in the fallen kingdom of Cairn, humanity stands on the brink of annihilation due to two warring supernatural forces, the Aether and Chthonians. The player character spends most of his time helping the few remaining humans to survive rather than mounting a stand against the forces of darkness.

Grim Dawn presents the protagonist as a demon-possessed human being who is about to face death at the hands of the desperate remnants of humanity. The campaign is launched with the “good” guys trying to hang him, like an old western starring Clint Eastwood. Once the demon leaves the human host, the group spares him because humanity cannot afford to lose other members. Grim Dawn’s opening moments expertly set the dark and depressing tone of this universe. Even as the protagonist, you spend a lot of your time hunting down possessed humans.