Halls of Torment Review Summary

A nostalgic Diablo-style look and addictive Vampire Survivors-like action offer great value and varied characters, but random crashes and grindy progression drag runs down.

Nostalgic Diablo atmosphere: The game strongly evokes the atmosphere, visuals, and soundtrack of classic Diablo titles, particularly Diablo 1 and 2. Many reviewers feel a deep sense of nostalgia and comfort from the authentic old-school presentation.

Fun and well-designed game: General feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with players calling it fun, well-made, and enjoyable. The game is praised for its overall quality and engaging gameplay.

Varied and unique characters: There is a large roster of characters, each with distinct playstyles, strengths, and weaknesses. This variety encourages experimentation and supports many different build possibilities.

Addictive gameplay loop: The core gameplay loop is described as highly addictive and satisfying, often keeping players engaged even after reaching the endgame. The combination of progression and rewards creates a compelling experience.

Comparisons to Vampire Survivors: Many reviewers compare the game favorably to Vampire Survivors, often considering it more refined, fair, and enjoyable. Some even prefer it over the original.

Frequent random crashes: The game crashes randomly and frequently during runs, often without warning or at the worst moments. This affects many players and disrupts gameplay severely.

Unfavorable comparison to Vampire Survivors: Players find the game much slower, with less content and charm compared to Vampire Survivors. The aiming mechanic does not make it better.

30-minute runs feel too long: Each run lasts 30 minutes, which players consider excessively long and tiring, especially after several hours of play. The advertised casual run length is misleading for nominal progression.

Slow and grindy progression: Progression is very slow both in-run and out-of-run, with little sense of advancement. The game feels grindy and tedious, requiring endless achievement grinding.

Lack of content: There is not enough content, with only 5 maps and limited variety. Players want more maps, characters, and overall substance.

Vampire Survivors-like gameplay core: The game is widely described as a Vampire Survivors-like or bullet heaven, with many reviews noting it plays similarly to Vampire Survivors. Some also highlight differences, such as a Diablo aesthetic or twin-stick shooter elements.

Diablo aesthetic and themes: The game features a Diablo-inspired visual style and atmosphere, particularly reminiscent of Diablo 1 and 2. This retro Diablo aesthetic is a key part of its identity.

Multiple characters and playstyles: The game features multiple playable characters, each with different playstyles, strengths, weaknesses, and unique designs. Characters have unique inherent weapons and shared skills/equipment.

Progression and unlock systems: The game includes progression mechanics and an unlock system, with characters, features, and options unlocking as you play. Progression provides a satisfying sense of advancement and replayability.

Achievement-based progression and quests: The game features an extensive achievement system with over 500 achievements on Steam, which serve as challenges and unlock new skills, equipment, and heroes. Quests are also challenging achievements.

Frequent random crashes: Players report random crashes during runs, often without warning and straight to desktop. Crashes occur every 2-3 runs or frequently for many users.

Optimization praised by some: Many players report excellent performance, smooth gameplay even on older laptops, and stable 60 FPS on low-end PCs. The game runs well with large numbers of enemies and effects.

Stuttering and lag issues: Players report stuttering, frame rate drops, and lag, sometimes severe. Late-game lag can be reduced by disabling damage numbers.

Crashes end runs, losing progress: Crashes frequently occur near the end of runs, especially around 25-30 minutes into a 30-minute run, wiping out progress. Progress is not saved on crash.

Crashes on Steam Deck despite Verified: Some users experience crashes on Steam Deck, particularly on Agony 3+ difficulty, even though the game is marked Verified. However, others report flawless performance on Steam Deck.

Ideal for Vampire Survivors fans: Many reviewers strongly recommend the game for players who enjoy Vampire Survivors and similar bullet-heaven titles. It is frequently described as an original pixel-style clone that offers a familiar but satisfying experience.

Great value for money: Many reviewers consider the game well worth its price, with several stating it is worth full price. The general sentiment is that it provides excellent value regardless of cost.

Strongly recommended by many: Numerous reviewers give unequivocal recommendations, using phrases like 'strongly recommended' and 'can't recommend it enough'. The overall reception is highly positive.

Genre fans will enjoy: Multiple recommendations target players already interested in the genre, suggesting the game is a solid entry for both veterans and newcomers. It is often described as a must-have for the genre.

Appeals to Diablo veterans: Reviewers note that fans of Diablo, especially the first two entries, will appreciate the game's aesthetic and gameplay. Those who miss classic Diablo will likely enjoy this title.

Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00.

Game completion: 20.0h.

Session length: 0.5h.

Endgame: 100.0h.

Halls of Torment is reported as initially addictive and satisfying, especially through Diablo-like presentation, unlocks, and meta progression, but many players find the fun drops once runs become repetitive, quests turn grindy, and fixed 30-minute loops drag.

Friction: 30-minute run length that feels too long; Heavy grind and repetitive maps with little content; Quest and achievement busywork with clunky menus; Flat or unimpactful meta progression; Late-game crashes; Deep build system can intimidate beginners without guides.

Unlock drivers: Unlocking characters, items, and potions; Quest and achievement progression that unlocks abilities, classes, and items; Cursed artifacts for build customization and higher-risk rewards; Ability to reset resources per run and adapt builds; Difficulty modifiers that improve drops; Build variety and power spikes.

Vampire Survivors Genre Veteran: Runs 30-minute survivor stages, dodges enemy patterns, and optimizes autoattack builds while comparing every feature to Vampire Survivors. Motivation: To recapture and extend the addictive survivors-like loop with more dynamic enemies and build decisions. Stance: buy.

Old-School Diablo Aesthetic Veteran: Treats the game as a Diablo-skinned survivors run, enjoying loot, camp and base systems, dark aesthetics, and nostalgic progression rather than strict ARPG mechanics. Motivation: Nostalgia for dark fantasy ARPG atmosphere, music, and old-school Diablo presentation. Stance: buy.

Meta-Progression and Build Grinder: Grinds quests, equipment stats, and meta unlocks across many runs, often chasing perfect builds or full achievement lists. Motivation: Long-term meta progression, build optimization, and achievement completion that makes each run contribute to permanent power. Stance: buy.

Steam Deck and handheld players report the game running smoothly, while Windows cohorts repeatedly report crashes, with the 8-11GB VRAM group most clearly dominated by instability.

Windows <8GB VRAM: mixed. Slightly more players recommend it and describe it as fun and playable, but crash complaints appear repeatedly, including in some recommended reviews, with lost progress reported on both 4GB and 8GB cards.

Windows 12-15GB VRAM: mixed. Evidence is split: one player reports it runs great, while another reports more crashes after the latest update despite 40 hours of prior stable play.

Windows 8-11GB VRAM: negative. Problems dominate, with 12GB VRAM users reporting crashes almost every run and repeated crashes even with the DLC installed, wasting 20-30 minutes of progress each time.

Steam Deck: User feedback shows Halls of Torment is frequently praised as a native Linux/Steam Deck game with excellent OLED battery life, no launcher or Proton workaround, and broad out-of-the-box compatibility. However, a significant subset reports High-severity stability failures on Deck, including crashes every 2-3 runs, forced crashes at progression points, and a black-screen bug after vault completion. Readability and startup issues add further friction. Because frequent crashes are present, the Steam Deck friction score falls in the Broken range despite many seamless reports.

Linux and Proton: The filtered reviews show a strongly positive Linux compatibility picture. Users report that the game works on Linux, runs well, and benefits from native Linux support. The sole Linux-related caveat is unspecified and explicitly called rare and unimportant, so there is no meaningful evidence of Linux or Proton friction.

Monetization: The audit finds no direct evidence of predatory monetization in the reviewed game. Feedback centers on traditional paid DLC, optional supporter packs, and one ambiguous mention of a mobile freemium version. No reviews describe real-money gacha, loot boxes, pay-to-win, currency obfuscation, or forced convenience purchases. Because the evidence is limited to DLC/expansion and optional support complaints, the score remains in the fair range.

Frequent comparison to Vampire Survivors: Many reviewers compare the game to Vampire Survivors, often noting similar gameplay but with its own ideas. Some view it as a clone, while others see it as an improvement.

Comparison to Diablo series: The game is often compared to Diablo and Diablo 2, with some reviewers describing it as a mix of Diablo and Vampire Survivors. References are made to its Diablo-like feel and nostalgia.

Favorable comparison to Vampire Survivors: Many reviewers compare it favorably to Vampire Survivors, stating it is more fun, engaging, or better in various aspects. Some consider it an evolution or improvement of the formula.

Diablo-inspired visual style: Reviewers frequently mention the visual style as reminiscent of old Diablo games, particularly Diablo 1 and 2. The art style and aesthetics are often compared to classic Diablo titles.

Playable on Steam Deck: Reviewers note that the game works well on Steam Deck, with some mentioning it is verified and runs great. It is considered a perfect fit for the platform.