the game starts dropping these fragment things from the moment you start the game. it takes you getting to the 3rd act to finally use them.

i feel like that speaks for the general design of this game. i do not think it is worth your time.

"Chaosbane" is a by-the-numbers action RPG (ARPG) that plays it overly safe. It doesn't introduce anything fresh to the genre and, unfortunately, borrows some of the genre's weaker elements. That said, it can be worth picking up at a steep discount, especially if you're an ARPG fan who has run out of new titles to explore. I committed to beating the game and exploring its endgame before writing this review, and I'm glad I did—it nearly lost me during Act 1.

While "Chaosbane" is clearly not a standout in the ARPG genre, I went in with tempered expectations after snagging it for just a dollar in a bundle. Despite its flaws, the experience was... acceptable.
Background

The game is developed by a studio with a puzzling resume, including sports titles and even a PETZ horse game. Assigning them to develop an ARPG seems odd, but it’s worth noting they have a new title in the genre entering Early Access this year, which looks more promising.

For context, I’ve played nearly every major ARPG: Grim Dawn, Path of Exile (PoE) 1 & 2, Diablo 1–4, Last Epoch, Torchlight 1 & 2, Titan Quest, and Chronicon. I love ARPGs, but "Chaosbane" ranks well below any of these.


The lack of exploration is one of the game's most glaring issues. You start in a town hub, taking quests that send you into various zones. The loop involves clearing the zone, killing a boss, and moving on. Unlike Diablo 3, which at least gave a sense of progression and a journey through its world, "Chaosbane" feels static. Even larger maps offer little incentive to explore beyond the occasional chest. While I'm not big on lore, I value strong world-building, and this game doesn't deliver.

The game draws heavily from Diablo 3, but while I enjoy Diablo 3, I find its itemization and character-building less engaging than other ARPGs. Somehow, "Chaosbane" manages to feel even more simplified. Most skill upgrades are either straight enhancements or so unremarkable that they fail to excite.

The loot system is similarly uninspired. Gear is mostly "damage goes up" with no meaningful utility or variety. While the occasional good drop provides a brief dopamine hit, it pales in comparison to the depth offered by other ARPGs.

The graphics feel dated for a game released in 2019, and the animations and enemies often lack fluidity. While I didn't expect PoE 2-level visuals, it’s disappointing that "Chaosbane" looks worse than Grim Dawn, which runs on an older engine. The UI design is another letdown—ugly and unintuitive. For instance, there’s no option to display a health bar above your character, forcing you to constantly glance at the bottom-left corner.

Movement in the game feels unresponsive due to frequent body blocking by mobs, NPCs, and environmental objects. While point-and-click movement is standard for the genre, the jankiness here makes navigation frustrating at times.

The bloodlust mechanic, which serves as an ultimate ability, feels out of place. It wasn’t necessary in most encounters, and activating it disables your primary skills, making it more of a hindrance than a benefit.


Despite its shortcomings, the gameplay is functional. I played as the Slayer class and relied on a spin-to-win build, which carried me through the campaign. The game notably improves after Act 1, with mob density ramping up and new mechanics like gear upgrading becoming available by Act 3. Level 40 introduces unique items, which provide substantial power spikes and make progression more rewarding.

The inventory size is ample, and I never ran into space issues. Selling items in bulk is easy, and there’s a large cross-character stash for shared gear, which is a nice quality-of-life feature.

The boss fights are surprisingly enjoyable, with unique designs and mechanics. Even as someone unfamiliar with Warhammer lore, I found the monster designs impressive.

The endgame revolves around running maps to defeat bosses and collect loot. While the gameplay loop isn’t the most engaging, it’s decent for casual grinding, especially if you have a fun build. The boss rush mode, which lets you face act bosses on higher difficulties, adds some replayability.

"Chaosbane" is a competent but uninspired ARPG that might scratch the itch for genre enthusiasts looking for something new to play. However, its lack of innovation, dated visuals, and shallow mechanics make it a hard sell at full price. If you’re a die-hard ARPG fan and can grab it at a significant discount, it’s worth a try—but temper your expectations.

Game is bloody good! A solid or 7 or 8/10 for this i'd give! Chaosbane is a great arpg, don't compare it with diablo, grim dawn or POE! But this good on its own, nice storyline and quality is life wonderful, it doesn't rush you into the action but at your own pace!

GO PLAY!