Grim Dawn cover art

Grim Dawn

A deep dual-class build system where optimising passive constellations and resist thresholds is the core challenge.

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Here's the argument for where this game sits - disagree freely.
Match your experience?
EXECUTION4 /10READS1 /10VARIANCE4 /10OPTIMIZATION9 /10

the cheat-test profile

The four axes - the argument

Each axis is rated on its own - how far one cheat would trivialize the game here. They don't trade off; low on all four means the game is an experience, not a contest.

  1. Execution

    cheat: Aimbot - perfect inputs

    4/10

    Boss fights and Crucible have limited twitch demand

  2. Reads

    cheat: Out-predict an adaptive opponent

    1/10

    Solo and co-op PvE throughout; no adaptive opponent

  3. Variance

    cheat: See what's hidden / map the RNG

    4/10

    Drop RNG and component rolls add moderate hidden information

  4. Optimization

    cheat: A perfect solver / coach

    9/10

    Dual-class mastery system and devotion tree are extensively solvable

How to read this

Each axis is named by the cheat that would break the game along it. Execution is the hands. Reads is out-thinking an adaptive opponent. Variance is hidden information & RNG. Optimization is the solvable systems layer. A game's region is the top one or two axes.

These four aren't one rating split four ways - they're independent 0-10 questions. A 9 on one axis takes nothing from the others, and a game low on all four isn't missing data: it's telling you there's no skill here to cheat.

The basis is how the majority actually plays this game - not a niche mode or a personal run. For a game with very different modes (a story campaign versus ranked multiplayer), that's the version most people mean.

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Game details

Released
2016
Developer
Crate Entertainment
Platforms
PC, XONE
Modes
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
IGDB critics
82/100
IGDB users
73/100
Role-playing (RPG)Hack and slash/Beat 'em upAdventureIndieActionFantasyHorrorOpen world