The Last Epoch – After spending five years in Early Access, Last Epoch has FINALLY emerged with its 1.0 release.

However, the launch was marred by server crashes due to an influx of players eager to try out the game.

It’s apparent that Last Epoch holds promise, but it’s hindered by numerous technical issues.

Similar to many ARPGs, Last Epoch emphasizes its build system as a key selling point. It features five classes, each fitting into standard RPG archetypes. Players can further specialize these classes with one of three subclasses, significantly altering gameplay dynamics.

The journey to level 100 is filled with rewarding loot, enjoyable battles, and significant power upgrades. So you can be assured that it’s worth investing many hours into.

Last Epoch belongs to a genre that has seen fluctuating success in recent years. Thus, it aims to stand out amidst games that, while enjoyable, have struggled to maintain longevity. Notably, Diablo 4, despite its initial success, has faced criticism for its lackluster post-release content.

On the other hand, Path of Exile, known for its complexity, has been shifting its focus towards its upcoming sequel.

There were initial impressions suggesting Last Epoch might not be as advanced as its counterparts.

However, players are in for a surprise once they delve into the game. Eleventh Hour Games, the development team behind Last Epoch, has utilized its lengthy early access period effectively.

They have gathered extensive feedback from the community and implemented necessary changes. This commitment to improvement, coupled with open communication with the player base, has fueled anticipation among fans eagerly awaiting the game’s official release.

Last Epoch 1.0 Release Date, Platforms, and Pricing Details

Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, Last Epoch entered Early Access on May 1, 2019. Since then, it has undergone significant updates and improvements based on community feedback.

This feedback has been crucial in enhancing its gameplay depth and quality-of-life features.

Last Epoch has earned praise for its unique features and gameplay depth, positioning it favorably among other acclaimed action RPGs like Path of Exile and Diablo 4. It is currently being crushed under the weight of over 160,000 concurrent players on Steam.

The highly anticipated 1.0 version of Last Epoch was released on February 21, 2024, and is available for purchase on Steam for $34.99.

While console versions haven’t been developed yet, the developers plan to evaluate the possibility of creating versions for Xbox and PlayStation after the launch of the 1.0 version.

How Does Last Epoch Compare To Other ARPGs?

One noticeable distinction from other popular ARPGs is Last Epoch’s graphical style. Unlike its counterparts, it opts for a more cartoonish aesthetic.

However, this doesn’t detract from the game’s overall polish and gameplay experience. While some players may prefer realism, the stylistic choice in Last Epoch shouldn’t pose a problem for most, as the game remains visually appealing.

In terms of gameplay, Last Epoch aims to strike a balance between the complexity of Path of Exile’s extensive skill tree and the relative simplicity of Diablo 4.

Path of Exile’s intricate skill system can be overwhelming for some, while Diablo 4 may feel lacking in depth, particularly for players seeking a challenge. Last Epoch addresses this disparity by ensuring that every ability is potent on its own.

It offers players significant flexibility in character building. This approach allows for a wide range of viable builds and encourages experimentation without sacrificing effectiveness.

For example, players controlling a Necromancer Acolyte can opt for a full minion-focused build. Or they can combine tanky minions with powerful ranged spells, showcasing the game’s versatility.

This abundance of options ensures that players aren’t limited to a few cookie-cutter builds and that abilities remain relevant regardless of the perceived meta.

What makes Last Epoch better than the rest?

• 15 vs 5 Classes

In every ARPG, selecting a character class marks the first step for players, showcasing the variety of gameplay experiences the game offers.

The plethora of available playstyles adds essential replay value to the genre, catering to the preferences of ARPG enthusiasts.

Diablo 4 initially launched with five classes—Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer, Necromancer, and Druid—familiar choices drawn from standard D&D classes.

However, each of these classes offers only a limited number of viable builds, typically two or three, which falls short of expectations.

Additionally, eight months post-release, players are still awaiting the introduction of a sixth playable class, with speculation pointing towards the Paladin.

In contrast, Last Epoch is set to debut with five classes and a remarkable total of 15 different subclasses. Each class in Last Epoch features three subclasses, known as Masteries, which become available around level 25.

These Masteries boast their skill trees, showcasing unique skills that define the subclass’s distinct playstyle, in addition to the base class skill tree.

• Highly Customizable Skills For Each Class

Diablo 4 has garnered attention for its accessibility, making it easy for anyone to pick up and understand its mechanics and skill tree.

This simplicity appeals to players with limited time for gaming, such as Elon Musk, who opted for Diablo 4 over more complex 

titles like Path of Exile. However, some critics argue that Diablo 4’s simplicity can lead to a lack of depth, with only a few viable playstyles available.

Contrary to this notion, Last Epoch challenges the idea that a game must sacrifice depth for simplicity. In Last Epoch, players can specialize in specific skills, unlocking their skill trees. As these skills are used and leveled up, players earn specialized skill points to invest in these skill trees.

The specialization of skills isn’t just about increasing damage numbers; it can fundamentally alter the nature of the skill itself, such as transforming a basic fireball into a powerful flamethrower.

Experimentation is highly encouraged in Last Epoch, and players can easily navigate and customize their skill trees with simple clicks.

There’s no need for extensive build guides or sacrificing creativity in favor of simplicity. Last Epoch strikes a balance, offering accessibility without compromising on depth, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in creating unique and personalized builds without feeling overwhelmed.

• Best of all: Offline Mode!

It’s been very frustrating for players to have an internet connection to play predominantly single-player-oriented games like Diablo 4 and Path of Exile.

While both games offer multiplayer modes as an additional feature, the inability to play offline can be problematic, particularly during instances of internet issues or when access to a stable connection is limited.

If you primarily engage in solo gameplay, the necessity of an internet connection feels unnecessary and restrictive. This is especially true when you have purchased at full price.

In the case of Path of Exile, the online requirement is somewhat understandable given its free-to-play model, as developers may rely on in-game transactions and connectivity to their store for revenue generation.

However, for a game like Diablo 4, which requires a substantial upfront investment, the lack of offline play options can be perplexing for players seeking a primarily single-player experience.

Last Epoch, on the other hand, has addressed this issue by offering both online and offline modes. While characters may not carry over between the two modes, players have the freedom to enjoy their single-player experience without the constraints of an internet connection, and can seamlessly transition to multiplayer when desired.