Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony stays true to its hack-and-slash roots, delivering fast-paced dungeon crawling that fans of the genre will immediately recognize. You’ll pick from multiple character archetypes, customizing each with deep progression trees that transform basic fighters into mighty Heroes and, eventually, Legendary classes. The two distinct game modes—Normal and Elite—cater both to newcomers looking for a story-driven romp and veterans seeking a punishing challenge.

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A standout feature is the robust companion and pet system. At any moment you can switch between your main hero and up to two unique allies, unleashing special abilities to turn the tide in battle. This dynamic duo approach adds a layer of tactical depth rarely seen in portable action RPGs—you’ll find yourself juggling crowd control, elemental bursts, and healing maneuvers as you face waves of over 100 monsters, some familiar from the Dungeon Siege world and many brand-new horrors.

Throne of Agony offers a non-linear single-player campaign that encourages exploration and rewards curiosity. Secret vaults, branching paths, and hidden side quests mean you can’t simply sprint to the final boss; you’ll want to comb every cavern. For those who prefer shared mayhem, the cooperative campaign lets two players team up in local or online co-op, each bringing a pet or companion into the fray. If you’re short on time, the fast-paced Battle Arenas deliver instant multiplayer duels, providing bite-sized action without the commitment of a full story run.

Leveling up feels appropriately gratifying. Every few minutes you’ll earn a skill point or new piece of loot, fueling a steady sense of progression. Whether you’re maxing out a whirlwind strike or investing in elemental resistance, the build customization is substantial enough to keep you experimenting well into the late game. And switching to Elite mode after your first playthrough offers not only tougher enemies but also exclusive gear that makes replay value skyrocket.

Graphics

Running on portable hardware, Throne of Agony punches above its weight with vibrant, detailed environments. Dungeons feel oppressive with damp stone walls and flickering torchlight, while open fields bask in dynamic sunlight and swaying grass. The visual fidelity may not rival its PC predecessors, but the art direction more than compensates by delivering a consistent medieval-fantasy aesthetic.

Character models and animations are smooth for the platform. Combat animations—slashes, spells, and creature roars—feel weighty and responsive, which amplifies the visceral thrill of hacking through hordes. Boss encounters often introduce dramatic camera angles or visual filters that underscore their menace, making each showdown memorable beyond just big health bars.

Particle effects for spells and abilities are surprisingly lush, with elemental bursts that light up the screen and lingering breath effects that give ice spells real chill. Load times between areas are reasonable, and pop-in rarely interrupts the action. Though you might notice occasional texture hiccups or simpler geometry at distant draw-ranges, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise polished package.

The user interface is clean and intuitive, with quick-access icons for pets, inventory, and skill trees. Menus feel thoughtfully laid out for handheld play, ensuring you spend more time exploring and less time wrestling with controls. Overall, the visual presentation enhances the mood and supports the gameplay loop without overwhelming the hardware.

Story

Picking up after the 2nd cataclysm that reshaped Aranna, Throne of Agony thrusts you into a world still reeling from divine upheaval. The narrative weaves in threads from Dungeon Siege II and its add-on, creating a sense of continuity that longtime fans will appreciate. Ancient evils stir once more, and it’s up to your band of heroes (and pets) to uncover the secrets behind the catastrophe and restore balance.

Dialogue is serviceable, with occasional flashes of dry humor that break up the relentless dungeon runs. NPCs have distinct personalities, from grizzled veterans to mysterious scholars, each offering quests that expand on the world’s lore. Although the central plot follows familiar fantasy tropes—retrieve the artifact, defeat the dark lord—the non-linear structure allows you to pursue subplots at your leisure, lending a stronger sense of agency.

Key story moments are punctuated by in-engine cutscenes that, while brief, effectively convey the stakes. Boss encounters often tie directly into the narrative, making each victory feel earned rather than a mere loot grab. By the time you face the final threat, you’ll be fully invested in the fates of both your human characters and their loyal creatures.

While Throne of Agony doesn’t revolutionize RPG storytelling, it delivers a cohesive plot that complements the gameplay. The world feels alive, and the sense of progression—from fledgling adventurer to legendary champion—resonates more thanks to the unfolding saga of Aranna’s rebirth.

Overall Experience

Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony succeeds as a portable action RPG, capturing the essence of its PC forebears while tailoring the experience for handheld play. The blend of non-linear exploration, deep character customization, and strategic pet-switching keeps combat fresh and engaging from start to finish. Whether you’re blitzing a quick dungeon in between errands or hunkering down for a marathon co-op session, the game scales beautifully to your available time.

Multiplayer options add significant longevity. Cooperative play is seamless, letting you tackle the campaign with a friend, while the Arena mode delivers bite-sized PvP battles that remain fun even after dozens of matches. This flexibility ensures you’re never stuck if you can’t commit to a long quest—just jump into an arena and face off against other players or AI opponents.

Some limitations—like occasional texture pop-in or simpler geometry—are almost inevitable on a portable system, but they rarely detract from the overall journey. If anything, the stellar art direction and satisfying combat mechanics make these compromises easy to overlook. The pacing strikes a fine balance, delivering a steady drip of loot and skill upgrades that keeps your next session feeling important.

In the end, Throne of Agony is an addictive, well-rounded action RPG that offers both depth and accessibility. Fans of Dungeon Siege II will find a worthy sequel in handheld form, and newcomers can dive in without needing to play previous entries. For anyone seeking a solid dungeon crawler with strong multiplayer hooks on the go, this adventure in Aranna is hard to beat.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10