Blizzard finally announced Diablo 5 at BlizzCon 2026, complete with the Plague Knight reveal, but the release window is a long wait. The ARPG scene didn’t sit still while Diablo 4 aged, and there are stronger alternatives now than there were the last time Blizzard shipped. Here are seven Diablo 5 alternatives on PC, tested this month, ranked by how well they scratch the same itch.
Why people leave Diablo (or bounce off the wait for Diablo 5)
- Season resets that require redoing the campaign wear thin fast
- Endgame Nightmare Dungeons feel repetitive after the first stretch
- Real-money cosmetic pricing and the battle pass sit uneasily with a full-price game
- The itemization overhaul in Diablo 4 helped, but many still call the loot game shallow
- Waiting years between numbered installments is a real problem for hardcore ARPG fans
Each alternative below solves at least one of those complaints.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free plan | Starting price | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Path of Exile 2 | Depth and free-to-play | Yes | Free | Deepest passive tree and skill gem system |
| Last Epoch | Approachable systems | Trial | $35 | Time-travel campaign and clear crafting |
| Grim Dawn | Dark fantasy sandbox | Demo | $25 | Dual-class system with no seasons |
| Torchlight Infinite | Free-to-play mobile-first | Yes | Free | Cross-play with mobile save sync |
| Titan Quest | Classic feel with mods | No | $20 | Best-in-class Steam Workshop mod scene |
| Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem | Cinematic solo campaign | No | $40 | Real-time weather and dynamic skill trees |
| Warhammer 40,000 Inquisitor Martyr | 40K flavour, live service | No | $30 | Only ARPG set inside a 40K campaign |
The alternatives
Path of Exile 2 — Best overall for Diablo 5 refugees
Path of Exile 2 is where most Diablo diehards ended up while waiting for Diablo 5. Grinding Gear Games doubled down on depth: a passive tree with over a thousand nodes, a skill gem system that lets any class play any way, and league content every few months that changes the meta.
Where it falls short: The learning curve is famously steep. Expect an evening reading the wiki before your first character feels good.
Pricing:
- Free: Full campaign, endgame, and leagues
- Paid: Cosmetic supporter packs from $10 and up. No pay-to-win.
- Vs Diablo: Cheaper (free), deeper systems, less friendly onboarding.
Migrating from Diablo: No importer, but the transition is easier than in Diablo 4’s early days. YouTube guides for every act help, and community-published builds cover the endgame.
Download: Path of Exile 2
Bottom line: The default recommendation. Free, deep, and the closest thing to a permanent home for Diablo fans.
Last Epoch — Best for approachable systems
Last Epoch takes Diablo’s core loop and rebuilds the crafting and campaign around clarity. Time-travel eras let the campaign show the same world in different states, and the item forge shows you exactly what you’ll get before you spend materials.
Where it falls short: Smaller studio, slower expansion cadence. Content droughts between seasons feel long.
Pricing:
- Trial: One-hour Steam demo
- Buy-to-play: $34.99 flat, no subscription
- Vs Diablo: Cheaper, more predictable systems, smaller endgame surface.
Migrating from Diablo: No importer, but Diablo players pick it up in an evening. The item and skill systems are the friendliest ones on this list.
Download: Last Epoch on Steam
Bottom line: Pick this if Path of Exile 2 feels intimidating and Diablo 4’s crafting felt shallow.
Grim Dawn — Best for dark fantasy sandbox
Grim Dawn shipped in 2016, kept getting expansions, and remains one of the deepest ARPGs on PC. The dual-class system lets you combine any two masteries. No seasons means you can build a character and enjoy it forever.
Where it falls short: Visually dated compared to Diablo 4. The engine shows its age.
Pricing:
- Demo: Free Steam demo
- Buy-to-play: $24.99 base game, DLC bundles for more content
- Vs Diablo: Cheaper, no seasonal wipe, more class combinations.
Migrating from Diablo: Different pace, similar loop. The lack of seasons is either a feature or a flaw depending on your taste.
Download: Grim Dawn on Steam
Bottom line: The right pick if seasonal resets exhausted you.
Torchlight Infinite — Best free-to-play with cross-play
Torchlight Infinite is the free-to-play spinoff of the Torchlight series, tuned around cross-play between PC and mobile. Character progression syncs across devices, so a lunch break run on your phone continues on your desk in the evening.
Where it falls short: Free-to-play monetisation shows up in stash tabs and season pass unlocks. It’s manageable but present.
Pricing:
- Free: Full game and seasons
- Paid: Cosmetic and convenience packs from $5
- Vs Diablo: Cheaper (free), lighter and less depth, cross-play with mobile.
Migrating from Diablo: Different feel. Faster combat, mobile-inspired UI. Not a like-for-like.
Download: Torchlight Infinite
Bottom line: The best pick if you want to play on the couch and the phone with the same character.
Titan Quest Anniversary — Best classic feel with mods
Titan Quest predates Diablo 3 and still holds up. The Anniversary Edition and Ragnarok expansion bring the game up to modern shape, and Steam Workshop hosts a massive mod scene that keeps content fresh.
Where it falls short: Combat pacing is slower than Diablo 4. Modern ARPG expectations may need adjustment.
Pricing:
- Buy-to-play: $19.99 base with anniversary content
- Vs Diablo: Cheaper, mod-driven longevity, slower pace.
Migrating from Diablo: The dual-mastery class system feels familiar. The pacing takes getting used to.
Download: Titan Quest Anniversary on Steam
Bottom line: Buy it once, mod it for years.
Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem — Best cinematic solo campaign
Wolcen is the ARPG that got a rough launch and quietly matured. The solo campaign is now the strongest cinematic story on this list, with real-time weather and lighting that hold up next to Diablo 4.
Where it falls short: Endgame content is thinner than Path of Exile 2 or Last Epoch. A one-and-done campaign player will love it. A grinder won’t.
Pricing:
- Buy-to-play: $39.99 flat
- Vs Diablo: Similar upfront cost, better cinematic solo story, thinner endgame.
Migrating from Diablo: Combat feels familiar. Story is meatier than any Diablo entry.
Download: Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem on Steam
Bottom line: Pick this if you loved Diablo’s campaign but bounced off the endgame grind.
Warhammer 40,000 Inquisitor Martyr — Best for 40K flavour
Warhammer 40,000 Inquisitor Martyr is the only ARPG set inside a 40K campaign, and NeoCore has kept it alive with regular season content. Play an Inquisitor across space hulks and hive worlds; loot is faction-flavoured.
Where it falls short: The 40K setting is a specific taste. If you don’t like the faction lore, you’ll find the whole thing overwrought.
Pricing:
- Buy-to-play: $29.99 base plus DLC
- Vs Diablo: Cheaper, seasonal live service, radically different setting.
Migrating from Diablo: Same loop, wholly different theme. The seasonal cadence will feel familiar.
Download: Warhammer 40,000 Inquisitor Martyr on Steam
Bottom line: Pick this if you’re a Warhammer fan and the setting matters as much as the mechanics.
How to pick
- Pick Path of Exile 2 if you want depth and don’t mind a learning curve.
- Pick Last Epoch if Path of Exile 2 sounds intimidating.
- Pick Grim Dawn if seasonal resets exhaust you.
- Pick Torchlight Infinite if you want free-to-play with phone cross-play.
- Pick Titan Quest if you want the classic feel with a modding community.
- Pick Wolcen if you loved Diablo’s story but not the endgame grind.
- Pick Inquisitor Martyr if you’re already a Warhammer fan.
- Stay in Diablo IV or wait for Diablo 5 if the Blizzard universe is why you play in the first place.
FAQ
When does Diablo 5 come out?
Blizzard announced Diablo 5 at BlizzCon 2026 with a Plague Knight class reveal. Blizzard did not commit to a firm release date; expect a wait of at least a year based on prior release cadence.
Is Path of Exile 2 really free?
Yes. The full campaign, endgame, and all leagues are free. Grinding Gear Games monetises cosmetic supporter packs and premium stash tabs. There is no gameplay behind a paywall.
Can I import my Diablo character into any of these?
No. None of these games support importing a Diablo 4 character. The systems and loot tables are too different for any port to be meaningful.
Which alternative is closest to Diablo’s feel?
Wolcen is the closest visually and mechanically to Diablo IV. Last Epoch is the closest in terms of pacing and onboarding. Path of Exile 2 wins on depth. Pick based on which trade you value.
Do these games have controller support?
Path of Exile 2, Last Epoch, Grim Dawn, Wolcen, and Titan Quest all ship with controller support. Torchlight Infinite is touch-first and controller-optional. Inquisitor Martyr supports controllers on Steam.
