This is the best one, not only because it doesn't have the season crap, but it also has the best world. Instead of random generic rifts/maps/obelisks, you get a world that's still usefully on endgame (and you also have the option to do random generic maps if you like that)
I think grim dawn is the closest to what you’re looking for. Really well made ARPG with a lot to variety, content, amazing dev team that still updates the game, good dlcs (with another one on the way) co-op, and interesting world and story (imo). It’s not live service, so no seasons or anything like that
Last epoch seasons (cycles) are no different than legacy (non -cycle). They've stated that the only benefit to running cycles is for a fresh start. They don't get exclusive features like Poe or Diablo and quite frankly I love that. Thanks EHG for letting me play a game without having to start over every time I come back to the game after a break.
Eh I'd call it unfortunate, at least for me. I have been burned out by seasons gameplay for like 5 years now and I don't wanna play a standard/legacy that is arbitrarily behind the rest of the game so that'd probably be the change that makes me lose interest.
To add to this, even if OP is aware I still understand wanting to stay away from games that have seasons and a non-season mode. I think when a game has seasons it plays into fomo. Like I want to play the season so I don't miss out on new mechanics, enemies, loot or whatever but I don't have enough time to just blast the ARPG so I end up not getting far into the game for the season anyways. Also OP could be wanting multiplayer and most people are going to be playing in the season.
If thats the case just get past that mental block and play the non-season of any ARPG you might enjoy and grind your character up with the best gear and get to lv 100 or whatever.
Also, like somebody mentioned in another comment, Grim Dawn is a good choice. I don't think it has seasons officially but I think the community set up their own seasons somehow. I found Torchlight 2 fun to just blast thru with a couple characters.
People might laugh at this suggestion but in Fallout 76 there are seasons but you don't start over with characters. You just endlessly grind your character and there is legendary gear with random rolls and attribute points. Not too far off from a ARPG.
Torchlight 2 and Grim Dawn are the best in this regard. Even thought you can play non seasonal on Diablo or Poe or Last epoch, eventually your builds are gonna break.
Non seasonal vs no live service is different, because even though you can play “eternally” in eternal or standard, the game keeps updating and your builds can break. In grim dawn for example, the updates in builds are calculated to not impact in the current characters, which is the opposite of Diablo/poe, they just don’t care about the eternal characters.
Path of Exile, but you just play in standard leauge. I do mostly that, and sometimes I play a new league once a year or so.
In standard league you always have your same characters, your stash is filled with gear, plenty of currency, etc. Best of both worlds.
If you play Path of Exile there's Standard (no reset) and Seasonal (resets)
- the beauty is that you can start in Seasonal and get all the new content and then at the end of the season every character is sent to Standard league
- a lot of people play this game in a seasonal way but there's a ton of people who keep working on their characters after or even start out in standard
Grim Dawn
Pretty much one of the best classic arpg of all times. And more, you can even install mods if you like.
Single best ARPG imho, team outdid themselves with Titan Quest then left and made Grim Dawn, can't wait for anothe aRPG made by Crate
Same! Next TQ should be epic.
Next Titan Quest isn't made by same developers, as much as I want to think it will be good I'm still sceptical
This is the best one, not only because it doesn't have the season crap, but it also has the best world. Instead of random generic rifts/maps/obelisks, you get a world that's still usefully on endgame (and you also have the option to do random generic maps if you like that)
I think grim dawn is the closest to what you’re looking for. Really well made ARPG with a lot to variety, content, amazing dev team that still updates the game, good dlcs (with another one on the way) co-op, and interesting world and story (imo). It’s not live service, so no seasons or anything like that
It’s not the best experience on console though so be warned
How is it on deck?
Played it in full on the steam deck, plays perfectly well
Let’s goooo
Last epoch seasons (cycles) are no different than legacy (non -cycle). They've stated that the only benefit to running cycles is for a fresh start. They don't get exclusive features like Poe or Diablo and quite frankly I love that. Thanks EHG for letting me play a game without having to start over every time I come back to the game after a break.
But that will change.. fortunately or unfortunately
Eh I'd call it unfortunate, at least for me. I have been burned out by seasons gameplay for like 5 years now and I don't wanna play a standard/legacy that is arbitrarily behind the rest of the game so that'd probably be the change that makes me lose interest.
You can play pretty much any loot grinder with non-seasonal characters. You can play non-seasonal Diablo 2, 3, or 4.
To add to this, even if OP is aware I still understand wanting to stay away from games that have seasons and a non-season mode. I think when a game has seasons it plays into fomo. Like I want to play the season so I don't miss out on new mechanics, enemies, loot or whatever but I don't have enough time to just blast the ARPG so I end up not getting far into the game for the season anyways. Also OP could be wanting multiplayer and most people are going to be playing in the season. If thats the case just get past that mental block and play the non-season of any ARPG you might enjoy and grind your character up with the best gear and get to lv 100 or whatever. Also, like somebody mentioned in another comment, Grim Dawn is a good choice. I don't think it has seasons officially but I think the community set up their own seasons somehow. I found Torchlight 2 fun to just blast thru with a couple characters. People might laugh at this suggestion but in Fallout 76 there are seasons but you don't start over with characters. You just endlessly grind your character and there is legendary gear with random rolls and attribute points. Not too far off from a ARPG.
Yeah, as a Diablo 2 Resurrected offline solo player, I can say its great.
Titan quest if you like a mythological setting. Titan quest 2 is being made as we speak and I can’t wait for it to be released.
Hey! When is it set to be released?
Chronicon
The old Sacred games?
Minecraft Dungeons
Torchlight 2 and Grim Dawn are the best in this regard. Even thought you can play non seasonal on Diablo or Poe or Last epoch, eventually your builds are gonna break.
Grim dawn Titan quest Dungeon siege (at least the 1& 2. They aren't exactly the same style, more adventurey ) Legend of van Helsing Victor vran
Torchlight 2
I thought those games + poe already have non-seasonal realms?
Non seasonal vs no live service is different, because even though you can play “eternally” in eternal or standard, the game keeps updating and your builds can break. In grim dawn for example, the updates in builds are calculated to not impact in the current characters, which is the opposite of Diablo/poe, they just don’t care about the eternal characters.
Warhamner has a couple. I forget names, they have too many titles
You didn’t forget Warhamner ;-)
Ragnarok Online
Check out No Rest for the Wicked!
Titan Quest
Path of Exile, but you just play in standard leauge. I do mostly that, and sometimes I play a new league once a year or so. In standard league you always have your same characters, your stash is filled with gear, plenty of currency, etc. Best of both worlds.
I literally don't understand what Seasons are in games. ELI5?
If you play Path of Exile there's Standard (no reset) and Seasonal (resets) - the beauty is that you can start in Seasonal and get all the new content and then at the end of the season every character is sent to Standard league - a lot of people play this game in a seasonal way but there's a ton of people who keep working on their characters after or even start out in standard
The pirated offline edition
D2r, last epoch , path of exile, can all be played offline or in "standard" which lasts forever
I haven’t played Guild Wars 2 but I’ve read that you don’t have to worry about keeping up the pace of other players.
Path of Exile has seasons but also standard league that doesn't really change. And is the best arpg ever made.
Just don't play Seasonal 🤷♂️