Diablo-like Games You Can Play With Steam on Linux
The allure of the dungeon crawl, the thrill of the loot drop, and the satisfaction of character progression – these are the hallmarks of the Diablo-like genre, a space that has captivated gamers for decades. While Diablo itself remains a cornerstone, a vibrant ecosystem of titles offers similar experiences, each with unique twists and flavors. For Linux gamers using Steam, a wealth of these action RPGs (ARPGs) awaits, providing countless hours of demon-slaying, treasure-hoarding, and character-building enjoyment. This summer, delve into these worlds and unleash your inner hero.
Torchlight II: A Colorful and Accessible ARPG
Torchlight II, developed by Runic Games, stands out as a prime example of a Diablo-inspired game done right. Its bright, cartoonish art style sets it apart from the grimdark aesthetic often associated with the genre, offering a more lighthearted and accessible experience. Do not mistake the friendly visuals for a lack of depth; Torchlight II boasts a robust character customization system, a wide array of skills and abilities, and a seemingly endless supply of loot.
Key Features of Torchlight II
Four Unique Classes: Choose from the Engineer, Embermage, Outlander, and Berserker, each offering distinct playstyles and skill trees. The Engineer, for example, excels at deploying turrets and mechanical companions, while the Embermage commands elemental magic. The Outlander is a ranged expert utilizing bows and bombs, and the Berserker is a ferocious melee fighter.
Pet System: Your loyal companion accompanies you on your adventure, offering support in combat and assisting with inventory management. You can choose from various pets, including dogs, cats, and even a ferret, each with its own unique abilities and aesthetic appeal. Pets can also be sent to town to sell unwanted items, freeing up your time to focus on exploration and combat.
Randomized Dungeons and World: Each playthrough offers a unique experience thanks to the procedurally generated environments. This ensures that no two dungeons are ever quite the same, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging. The world is also filled with secrets and hidden areas, rewarding exploration and curiosity.
Modding Support: Torchlight II has robust modding support, allowing players to create and share custom content. This extends the game’s lifespan significantly, as you can download mods that add new classes, items, dungeons, and even entirely new campaigns. The modding community is active and prolific, ensuring a constant stream of fresh content.
Steam Workshop Integration: Finding and installing mods is a breeze thanks to the game’s seamless integration with the Steam Workshop. Simply browse the Workshop, subscribe to the mods you want, and they will automatically be downloaded and installed. This makes modding accessible to even the most novice users.
Offline Play: Play Torchlight II offline without an internet connection. This is a great option for players who want to enjoy the game on the go or who have unreliable internet access. You can seamlessly switch between online and offline play without losing any progress.
Why Torchlight II is Great for Linux on Steam
Torchlight II runs exceptionally well on Linux through Steam Play (Proton). Performance is generally smooth and stable, even on modest hardware. The game’s vibrant visuals and engaging gameplay make it a perfect choice for casual and hardcore ARPG fans alike. Its relatively low system requirements ensure that it can be enjoyed on a wide range of Linux distributions and hardware configurations.
Grim Dawn: A Dark and Gritty ARPG with Dual Classes
Grim Dawn, developed by Crate Entertainment, distinguishes itself with its dark, gritty atmosphere and its unique dual-class system. Set in a world ravaged by war and supernatural horrors, Grim Dawn offers a more mature and challenging experience than many of its contemporaries.
Key Features of Grim Dawn
Dual Class System: Combine two distinct classes to create a truly unique character build. This allows for an unparalleled level of customization and experimentation. For example, you can combine the Soldier class (a melee tank) with the Occultist class (a master of dark magic) to create a powerful hybrid character.
Devotion System: Further customize your character with the Devotion system, which allows you to invest in constellations of celestial powers. These constellations grant passive bonuses and active abilities, adding another layer of depth to character progression.
A Vast and Detailed World: Explore a sprawling world filled with secrets, hidden areas, and challenging enemies. The environments are richly detailed and atmospheric, immersing you in the game’s dark and oppressive setting.
Compelling Story: Grim Dawn features a compelling story that unfolds as you explore the world and interact with its inhabitants. The lore is rich and detailed, and the characters are well-developed and memorable.
Multiple Difficulty Levels: Challenge yourself with multiple difficulty levels, each offering a progressively more challenging experience. This allows you to tailor the game to your own skill level and playstyle.
Active Modding Community: Grim Dawn features a strong Modding Community allowing for mods to be created that completely overhaul the game.
Why Grim Dawn is Great for Linux on Steam
Grim Dawn is another excellent choice for Linux gamers on Steam. It runs flawlessly through Proton, delivering a smooth and stable experience. The game’s demanding graphics settings may require a more powerful system, but the visual fidelity is well worth it. The depth of character customization and the challenging gameplay make Grim Dawn a rewarding experience for those seeking a more hardcore ARPG.
Path of Exile: A Free-to-Play Powerhouse with Unrivaled Customization
Path of Exile, developed by Grinding Gear Games, stands out as a free-to-play ARPG with an unparalleled level of customization and depth. Its complex skill tree, intricate crafting system, and challenging endgame content have earned it a dedicated following.
Key Features of Path of Exile
Massive Skill Tree: The skill tree is a sprawling web of nodes that allows for virtually limitless character customization. You can specialize in specific skills, enhance your character’s attributes, and unlock powerful passive abilities. The sheer size and complexity of the skill tree can be daunting at first, but it offers a rewarding sense of progression and customization.
Gem and Socket System: Skills are learned and enhanced through gems that are socketed into your equipment. This allows you to further customize your character’s abilities and adapt to different situations. The gems can be leveled up and modified with support gems, creating even more powerful combinations.
Complex Crafting System: The crafting system allows you to create and modify your equipment using a variety of orbs and currency items. This is a crucial aspect of the game, as it allows you to create powerful gear that is tailored to your specific build.
Regular Content Updates: Grinding Gear Games consistently releases new content updates that add new leagues, skills, items, and challenges to the game. This ensures that Path of Exile remains fresh and engaging for years to come.
Challenging Endgame: Path of Exile’s endgame content is notoriously difficult, requiring careful planning, skillful execution, and a well-optimized character build. This provides a significant challenge for experienced ARPG players.
Why Path of Exile is Great for Linux on Steam
Path of Exile has native Linux support on Steam, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility. The game’s demanding graphics settings may require a more powerful system, but the visual fidelity and depth of gameplay make it a worthwhile experience. Despite being free-to-play, Path of Exile is not pay-to-win. The cosmetic purchases available in the game do not affect gameplay, ensuring a fair and balanced experience for all players.
Victor Vran: A Stylish and Mobile ARPG with a Focus on Combat
Victor Vran, developed by Haemimont Games, offers a more streamlined and action-oriented experience than many other Diablo-like games. Its focus on mobility, weapon-based combat, and stylish visuals sets it apart from the crowd.
Key Features of Victor Vran
Weapon-Based Combat: Your choice of weapon determines your character’s abilities and playstyle. Each weapon type has its own unique set of attacks and combos, allowing for a diverse range of combat options.
Destiny Cards: Customize your character with Destiny Cards, which grant passive bonuses and alter your character’s stats. This allows you to fine-tune your character to your preferred playstyle.
Demon Powers: Unleash powerful Demon Powers to devastate your enemies. These powers are charged up by dealing damage and can be used to unleash devastating attacks or provide temporary buffs.
Jump and Dodge: Victor Vran is a more mobile ARPG than many of its contemporaries, allowing you to jump and dodge attacks with ease. This adds a new dimension to combat and makes the game more fast-paced and engaging.
Why Victor Vran is Great for Linux on Steam
Victor Vran runs exceptionally well on Linux through Steam Play (Proton). Its streamlined gameplay and stylish visuals make it a perfect choice for players who want a more accessible and action-oriented ARPG experience.
Dungeon Siege III: A Party-Based ARPG with a Focus on Story
Dungeon Siege III, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, offers a party-based ARPG experience with a strong emphasis on story and character development. While it may not be as customizable as some other titles on this list, it offers a compelling narrative and a well-designed world.
Key Features of Dungeon Siege III
Party-Based Gameplay: Control a party of up to four characters, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles. You can switch between characters on the fly, allowing you to adapt to different situations.
Compelling Story: Dungeon Siege III features a compelling story that unfolds as you explore the world and interact with its inhabitants. The characters are well-developed and memorable, and the plot is engaging and thought-provoking.
Branching Dialogue: Make choices that affect the outcome of the story and the relationships between your characters. This adds a layer of replayability to the game.
Distinct Character Classes: Select from a range of distinct character classes, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and skill trees.
Why Dungeon Siege III is Great for Linux on Steam
Dungeon Siege III runs well on Linux through Steam Play (Proton). It is a more story-driven experience, making it a good choice for players who enjoy narrative-focused ARPGs.
In Closing: Your Linux ARPG Adventure Awaits
These are just a few of the many Diablo-like games that you can enjoy on Linux through Steam. Each title offers a unique experience, with its own distinct features, gameplay mechanics, and art style. Whether you are a seasoned ARPG veteran or a newcomer to the genre, there is sure to be a game on this list that will captivate you. So, fire up your Linux machine, launch Steam, and embark on your next adventure. Happy looting!