The first Torchlight was an indie hit, and the second game was expected to appear by the end of the year. With multiplayer added to the game, support for LAN play, and a welcoming attitude toward user-created mods and content, Torchlight 2 should offer much of what Diablo 3 lost when it moved to a closed system.Torchlight 2 has now been pushed into next year, but don't fret; it's for the best.

"We've come to the realization, however, that getting a game of this scope up to the quality and polish level we want to achieve is going to take a little longer; especially since we want to run a small beta before release to ensure that our launch is smooth," Runic Games President Travis Baldree said in a statement.

He also pointed out that the first game's success has allowed the team this luxury. "The first Torchlight was released in record time, but it had plenty of issues that a little more development could have resolved. We didn't have the resources at the time to give Torchlight that treatment," he explained. "Right at this moment, though, we do have those resources for the sequel, and we feel strongly that we should apply them to make this the best game we can make and hopefully one that you'll enjoy and continue to want to play in the future." The team has been working on the game for 18 months, and Baldree claims the extra time needed is minimal.

It makes us happy to see a developer have the time and money needed to make its game the best it can be, but Baldree raises one more excellent point: there are too many damn games to play right now. "Besides, you're all playing Skyrim right now anyway, aren't you? Or Battlefield 3? Or Uncharted 3? Or Saints Row 3? Or Arkham City? Or Skyward Sword? Or Minecraft? Or Modern Warfare 3? Or Dark Souls? Or Assassin's Creed Revelations?" he asked.

Torchlight 2 is coming to the PC in early 2012.