Halls of Torment Review – A Retro Roguelike That Captures Diablo’s Magic
Developed by the indie wizards at Chasing Carrots, Halls of Torment nails the sweet spot between Diablo’s gritty hack-and-slash roots and Vampire Survivors’ chaotic horde-slaying frenzy. If you’re a Diablo purist craving that top-down isometric thrill without the bloat, this gem will have you grinning ear to ear. I’ve sunk hours into similar titles this year, endless Vampire Survivors clones vying for roguelike supremacy, but Halls of Torment takes the cake.
Check out my gameplay here.
Diverse Heroes and Deep Builds – The Strategic Core of Halls of Torment
One standout is the roster of playable characters, twelve in total (14 including the, enter the boglands dlc), each with unique abilities and playstyles to keep things fresh. I stuck with the Swordsman for his straightforward melee prowess (as Ser Gregor Clegane liked to say, “Trant had armour and a big fucking sword”). The real magic happens in the boons: randomized power-ups that drastically sway your 30-minute survival runs. Spinning balls of doom? Lightning strikes? These aren’t just buffs; they’re game-changers. I found myself agonizing over picks. Poor choices meant early graves; smart ones turned me into a demon-shredding machine. It’s this deliberation that elevates the formula, blending strategy with spectacle. As mentioned, I have reviewed similar titles this year, none of which made me think so much or genuinely showed such a huge and much needed difference in my run!
Addictive Chaos and Endless Replayability – Why Halls of Torment Hooks You
My first run clocked in at 18:49, and by then, the screen was an absolute madhouse—hordes of snarling demons swarming from every angle, while I slashed and hacked through the hordes of hell. Magic spells crackled overhead, summoning lightning storms to weaken clusters and fry stragglers. The game really showed off its Diablo inspiration. Runs fly by, but boss teases and hall unlocks keep you coming back. Minor gripes? Controls could use a remap tweak, and variety dips after couple of hours. Still, for Diablo diehards or Vampire Survivors addicts, this is essential. Chasing Carrots delivered a torment worth enduring!
Enter the Boglands – A Murky New Challenge Awaits
The Enter the Boglands update expands Halls of Torment with a treacherous new zone crawling with toxic enemies, eerie swamps, and fresh environmental hazards that test even veteran players. Alongside the gloomy setting come new bosses, weapons, and boons to master, giving fans another reason to dive back in. It’s a grim yet gorgeous addition that deepens the endgame grind and keeps the roguelike chaos feeling fresh.
9/10
Check it out here: Xbox, Steam & PlayStation
