Titan Quest II
Preview
Greek Myth and Loot Galore
EA SCOUT the last line of defense for buying on Steam's Early Access
by Ingvi Snædal
previewed on PC
For the past decade or so, monetization has been the main priority of most games. Before you even get to the menu, you're bombarded by pop-ups for seasonal content, cosmetic upgrades, franchise tie-ins, and other add-on, so by the time you get to the "continue game" button, you’ve lost all will to engage with it.
This game promises to be different.
Titan Quest II: Greek Myth and Loot Galore
Greek mythology has always had a grip on me. The gods weren't perfect. They were jealous, vengeful, and wonderfully human in their flaws. That's one of the reasons Titan Quest grabbed me all those years ago. That, and that it was a lighter-themed alternative to Diablo II. It stood apart from other ARPGs with its slower pace, myth-soaked world, and the brilliant touch that if an enemy was wielding a sword, that's exactly what they'd drop when you beat them.
So when Titan Quest II was announced, I'll admit I felt a mix of excitement and nerves. The original developers weren't at the helm this time, and alongside Diablo II, the first Titan Quest is still one of my favourites in the genre. Could Grimlore Games really capture that same magic?
Early Access – A Slice of Olympus
Fast-forward to August 1, 2025, and Titan Quest II has landed in Early Access on Steam and the Epic Games Store. We're talking about 10–20 hours of content for now — just enough to give you a taste of the world and its systems, but far from the full feast.
The opening is suitably dramatic: your peaceful village is obliterated by Nemesis, the Greek goddess of vengeance, and she's got a personal vendetta against you. Why? That's still unclear. But chaos reigns, monsters are everywhere, and you quickly realise your hero isn't exactly ordinary.
Cutscenes and character close-ups are surprisingly polished, even at this stage, and once you unlock your powers, known as Masteries, the game begins to open up. There are only four right now: Rogue, Storm, Earth, and Warfare. Like the first game, you can combine two to create a custom class, which offers plenty of freedom to shape your playstyle. I went for Warfare and Rogue, a satisfying mix of ranged and hand-to-hand combat that fits well with weapon set toggling.
A confession
Before I get into the gameplay, I have a confession to make.
I played it with a controller.
Hold on, hold on, hold on! Before you tighten that noose you're holding around my neck, let me explain. I was on vacation when the opportunity to play Titan Quest II presented itself, and all I had was a gaming laptop and some controllers I brought along for my kids. So my options were: Controller or trackpad. I hope you agree that I made the right choice.
Building a Hero, Your Way
Masteries are just the start. Titan Quest II is a playground for min-maxers, though I'd love to see more mythological flair in these upgrades. Imagine Zeus's bolts chaining between enemies with a crackling explosion or a life-draining effect attributed to Hades.
Stat progression feels a touch more important here than in the first Titan Quest, though it's nowhere near the complexity of Path of Exile. Gear variety is decent, but in this Early Access build, special effects are a bit tame. Personally, I want armour that does more than just add 15% magic resistance. Give me shin guards that summon Ares' hoard when I get hit. Give me weapons that make enemies explode into flower petals. This is mythology; go wild with it.
Combat with Purpose
Where Titan Quest II sets itself apart from competitors is in its pace and readability. Enemies telegraph their attacks, and you've got a dedicated dodge button that's so integral to the experience that boss fights demand you use it. Without a defence-focused mastery, you won't last long standing still.
The combat has weight, and when the audiovisual design clicks, it's immensely satisfying. Heavy attacks and special abilities feel and sounds powerful, and light attacks, while less impactful, feel swift and satisfying.
A World Worth Exploring
Right now, the game's landscapes are gorgeous. Lush Greek hills, ancient ruins, and a mix of historical and mythical designs make exploration rewarding (not to mention all the loot you'll find). Historical purists might wince at the creative liberties taken, but it is all in service of a beautiful, inviting, larger-than-life world.
The story beats are not the freshest: help villagers, take on heroic quests, and travel between regions via altars, but the biggest offender is the fact that after the tutorial island, you'll inevitably get into a shipwreck and wash up on shore. I'd be hard-pressed to think of a more over-used trope.
Currently, the full campaign scope remains unclear, but there are hints of more than just Greece being at play: possibly Olympus and the underworld too.
The Road Ahead
Grimlore has been transparent about its plans: seasonal updates, more masteries, new zones, expanded multiplayer, and balance tweaks shaped by community feedback. Early reviews from players have been very positive, praising how it feels like a true sequel rather than a simple remake. I for one hope they keep it a pure premium game and don’t pivot to an alternative monetisation model too soon.
The plan is for at least six months in Early Access, and if the launch momentum holds, the full release could be a big event for ARPG fans.
Should You Jump In Now?
If you’re itching for a myth-drenched hack-and-slash with a smart loot system and thoughtful pacing, this is already a solid choice. If you want the full epic from the start, you might prefer to wait until Grimlore unleashes the complete pantheon of content, although there should be more than enough content added upon release to pull you back to it. Either way, Titan Quest II is shaping up to be more than just a nostalgic visit to ancient Greece. If Grimlore leans harder into its mythological roots and cranks up the creativity in its gear and abilities, it could very well be divine.
As always, follow Hooked Gamers on Instagram for news updates, reviews, competitions and more.
Recommend
There are no guarantees - but we'd bet our own money on this one. If you're going to take a chance with yours, odds are good this one will deliver.
