An Unholy Union: “Halls of Torment” Fuses Diablo and Vampire Survivors into a Survival Gem

The gaming industry has seen a recent fascination with the “survivor” genre, where players are tasked with surviving endless waves of enemies with a constantly-growing arsenal of skills. While many games have tried to replicate the success of Vampire Survivors, few have done so with as much style and substance as Halls of Torment. This action roguelike, developed by Chasing Carrots, perfectly blends the endless horde mechanics of its inspiration with the dark fantasy aesthetic, loot systems, and build diversity of classic action RPGs like Diablo. Released in September 2024, the game has quickly garnered an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating on Steam and is widely regarded as a standout in its genre, a true testament to its compelling and addictive gameplay loop.

Unlike many modern indie games that rely on a free-to-play model or aggressive monetization tactics, Halls of Torment is a premium, one-time purchase title. This business model is a crucial part of its appeal, as it offers a complete, ad-free experience that respects the player’s time and intelligence. This approach, while a bit more of a financial risk, has paid off handsomely, as players are more than willing to invest in a game that provides a high-quality, polished, and replayable experience. The game’s strong word-of-mouth marketing has been a key driver of its success, as players have praised its unique blend of genres and its addictive core loop, ensuring a high LTV (Lifetime Value) from its dedicated player base.

A Descent into Madness: The Gameplay

The core gameplay of Halls of Torment is a brilliant fusion of its two inspirations. On one hand, you have the auto-attacking, horde-slaying madness of a survivor game. Your hero automatically attacks, and as you level up by collecting experience gems, you can choose from a variety of new abilities, passive traits, and powerful upgrades. On the other hand, the game is steeped in the mechanics of a classic action RPG. The game’s isometric, pre-rendered aesthetic is a direct homage to the original Diablo, complete with a health and mana orb UI. You can also find and equip a variety of gear, including armor pieces and jewelry, that can be sent back to your hub and used to customize future runs. This meta-progression system, which is a staple of the ARPG genre, adds a deep layer of long-term replayability to a genre that can sometimes feel a bit shallow.

The game’s variety is also a major highlight. You can choose from a roster of diverse hero characters, each with their own unique abilities and starting traits, forcing you to adapt your playstyle. A character like the “Exterminator” can turn into a living flamethrower, while the “Swordsman” can focus on melee attacks and powerful stuns. The game’s quests, which reward players with new characters and permanent upgrades, provide a clear sense of progression beyond just surviving for a set amount of time. Additionally, the game features a challenging “Agony Mode,” a late-game system that allows players to customize their runs with a variety of artifacts, which can increase the difficulty in exchange for better rewards.

• Hybrid Gameplay: The game perfectly blends the horde-slaying loop of Vampire Survivors with the deep build and gear systems of Diablo.
• Addictive Meta-Progression: The ability to collect and equip gear that persists between runs adds a compelling layer of long-term replayability.
• Strategic Builds: The game offers a wide variety of characters, abilities, and items that allow for a huge amount of build diversity.

A Few Scratches in the Dungeon

While Halls of Torment is a fantastic game, it is not without a few minor issues. The game’s retro aesthetic, while charming, can sometimes make it difficult to distinguish enemies from the environment. Additionally, the game’s difficulty curve can be a bit steep in the early game, as a bad run can lead to a frustrating, quick death. However, the game’s solid meta-progression system ensures that even a failed run is not a total loss, as you can still unlock new items and characters that will make your next run easier.

In conclusion, Halls of Torment is a masterclass in genre fusion. It is a game that successfully takes the best elements of two beloved genres and purees them into a highly addictive and deeply satisfying experience. Its premium model, charming aesthetic, and deep replayability make it a standout title in a crowded market. For fans of both Diablo and Vampire Survivors, this is an essential game that proves that sometimes, two great tastes taste even better together. It’s a game that will suck you in for “just one more run,” and before you know it, hours will have passed in a haze of pixelated demon-slaying bliss.