NO. 9 IN THE INDEX · ACTION RPG · CO-OP
Grim Dawn
The action RPG that never stopped getting better.
By the editorial desk · Crate Entertainment, 2016 · Steam version
Bannered
Tier B · 84/100
THE VERDICT
The quiet giant of action RPGs. Great.
A Victorian-flavoured apocalypse, dual-class builds and offline play. Years of updates and expansions have made it one of the most complete action RPGs on Steam.
The ledger
- Developer
- Crate Entertainment
- Publisher
- Crate Entertainment
- Released
- 25 February 2016
- Steam builds
- Windows
- Steam Deck
- Playable
- Modes
- Single-player, Online co-op
- Steam price
- $24.99
- Typical playtime
- ~45 hours
- Cost per hour
- ≈ $0.56
The world
The human world of Cairn has been caught between two alien powers, and you are a survivor who was possessed and lived. Rifts, cultists and gallows towns give it a gloomy, specific atmosphere. Lore is written in journals across the world for those who want it.
Grim Dawn key art
The fight
Classic click-and-slay with weighty feedback and huge numbers of enemies. Not as flashy as newer ARPGs, but satisfying at every level.
The build
Pick two masteries and combine them, then add Devotion constellations on top. The combinations are enormous, and almost all of them can reach the endgame.
The trial
A comfortable campaign on Veteran difficulty; the higher modes and endgame content are seriously demanding.
The port
Runs on modest hardware. Rated Playable on Steam Deck: everything works, but some text is small. Works fully offline, with optional online co-op.
Worthy
- Dual-class system with enormous build variety
- Fully offline play
- Years of expansions and free updates
- Fair, readable difficulty
Unworthy
- Engine and visuals show their age
- Small text on Steam Deck
- Expansions sold separately
Who should enter
ARPG players who want depth without an always-online connection or a live service. A great alternative to Diablo for people who play at their own pace.
How the score was reached
- Combat 25%
- 84
- World & lore 25%
- 85
- Builds & systems 20%
- 93
- Fair challenge 15%
- 86
- PC port 15%
- 78
Best offline action RPG in the codex.
Kindred worlds
Chosen for how they feel to play, not just the genre tag.
