Cinderwake (v65)

An old-school isometric action RPG, Cinderwake pairs brisk loot-chasing combat with a bleak fantasy realm being smothered by supernatural ash. A fiery maternal power gathers her servants in a cathedral, an ancient ruler stirs beneath glassy sands, and flooded monasteries and icebound mountains frame four distinct regions of ruin. Its mood is grim but comfortably familiar: heroes carve through monsters, return to safe towns, and steadily turn piles of equipment into stronger builds.

Combat uses classic point-and-click controls, with five character archetypes covering elemental spellcasting, rage-powered melee, archery and shapeshifting, necromancy, and party-minded holy combat. Each hero has three talent paths, and abilities evolve at key investment points, encouraging players to specialize or experiment; town healers also let you reset a build for gold rather than abandon a character. Randomized gear, sockets, gems, rune combinations, crafting services, hirelings, and a shared stash provide the familiar ARPG progression loop, while class-altering unique items can push a build in unexpected directions. Procedural maps, hidden chambers, breakable barriers, roaming treasure carriers, escalating world difficulties, and an endless post-campaign Pyre mode keep the hunt going after the main acts.

Cinderwake stands out through its unusually practical pet system: the starting fox gathers drops, hauls surplus gear back to town to sell, and grows over time, while additional hounds offer different benefits. Boss attacks visibly telegraph danger, so success depends less on face-tanking and more on reading the arena, dodging at the right moment, and responding with a strong damage window. Up to eight players can share a session, with optional parties enabling shared rewards, support effects, and built-in voice chat without forcing everyone to stay together. Anyone who misses the direct, item-driven rhythm of Diablo II and Torchlight should find plenty to like, particularly players who want deep build tinkering without punishing respec rules.