New Features:

Multiplayer!

That's right, Torchlight II will have a Co-op mode that can be either LAN or over the Internet for FREE! No subscriptions, nor item sales. Torchlight II will also have a matchmaking service that makes it easy to find friends, start new games and join existing games. Oh, I almost forgot. You can play single player offline. Yes!

Customize!

In Torchlight II players will be able to customize their characters. For example: Male or female, different hairstyles, eye color, etc… Torchlight II will also feature "TorchED" which is the official Torchlight II editor. Giving you the power to create and customize nearly everything about the game.

There's a world out there!

Unlike the first game, Torchlight II will actually take place outside of the town of Torchlight. Battle through rain, snow, day and night with multiple quest hub towns. Not to mention the level randomizer that ensures new layouts, paths, loots and monsters every time you play.

New AND Improved!

The user interface within Torchlight II has been designed with you in mind. So you'll be able to play how you want to play and when you do you can simply pick up and play. Your pets will still be able to make the run to town to sell all the fat loot you collect and fishing will have more choices and even better effects.

Characters:

The Outlander:

"Born to roam, Outlanders are the vagabond adventurers of the world. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds, cultures and even races — but all share a lust for travel and excitement, an appreciation of eldritch lore and an appetite for danger."

Armed with throwing glaives, guns and minimal knowledge of the arcane, the Outlander's main focus is keeping a safe distance from their foes as they herd them into their ultimate destruction. As well as pumping them full of lead.

The Embermage:

"At the forefront of the Empire's colonization of Vilderan are the Embermages — highly-trained spellcasters renowned for their skill, dedication and arcane power. No Imperial army is complete without these fierce warrior-wizards in the vanguard."

Armed to the teeth with an almost endless flow of knowledge about the arcane, as well as their physical discipline. Embermages are a force not to be trifled with. Beware, for they will see you before you see them. Their focus is of course Ranged Spellcasting.

The Berserker:

"Driven by a lust for adventure and a savage determination to win fame, fortune and glory, Berserkers wander the wild places of the world in search for formidable foes, fabulous treasures, and the sheer joy of a worthy challenge."

Drawing their strength from the northern lords of battle (Vur, the wolf; Dralk, the dragon; and Krax the raven.) Berserkers are the embodiment of the offensive-minded fighter, using their spiritual beliefs in totemic form to boost their abilities to near infinite heights. The Berserker is your "go to" class for strength, speed, ferocity and power. Annihilate your enemies with the power of the lords of battle.

The Engineer: (Formerly known as The Railman)

"The workhorse of the Empire, the modern Engineer's strength lies in his Ember-fueled, steam-driven armor — a technological marvel devised by top scientists at the Industrium (the Empire's academy of science and technology), and crafted personally by the Engineer and as his journeyman project."

Combining their sheer power and strength with top of the line technological advances. The Engineer is nearly a walking steam tank, imbuing their weapons and armor with their knowledge of Ember to blast their foes into oblivion.

What to expect when you're exploring:

Loot:

Need I say more?

Enemies:

Lots and lots of enemies.

The Ezrohir:

Dwarves:

Varkolyn:

Different places:

Yes, other zones and areas than the town of Torchlight will be available to explore to any and all players. Places like "The Beast Warrens," "The Stygian Aerie Approach" and the "Widowmaker Woods"

New Weapon Types:

Such as handheld Cannons, fist weapons and Great Weapons (like a great sword).

There is literally so much new stuff coming in Torchlight II that it's making my head spin. My first character is definitely going to be the Engineer; that guy looks like a tank. I loved the first Torchlight but I only played it on XBLA so I may wait until Torchlight II is available on XBLA before I play it. But my lust for the level grind and dungeon crawl might get the better of me.

Look at all that. Its jaw dropping. Oh, what's also going to make your jaw drop is Runic Games has announced a release date for Torchlight II for PC. Yeah, it's September 20^th, 2012. Runic Games has just released a trailer for Torchlight II as well.

So about three weeks away. CLEAR YOUR CALENDARS PEOPLE! Also: if you pre-order on Steam, you will get the original Torchlight to play right now. Do it up son.