The action RPG Last Epoch (Steam) is still in Early Access, but is already receiving very positive feedback from players. After all, the single-player adventure has already earned an 85% positive rating.
What kind of game is Last Epoch? Last Epoch is a hack and slash action RPG in the style of predecessors like Diablo and Path of Exile. It features 15 master classes and a variety of configurable skills, as well as a time-travel mechanic that aims to save the “last epoch”.
The game is currently in Early Access on Steam and costs €33.99. It is well-received there. The ARPG has already collected over 13,000 reviews, with 85% of them being positive, which is a strong result.
During the Early Access phase, Last Epoch will receive an in-game shop where you can purchase skins, pets, spell effects, and more. However, the popular solo game will first receive a multiplayer mode.
Here you can see the trailer for the game:
How you can participate in the multiplayer test for free
When does the multiplayer start? Actually, tests for the multiplayer mode of Last Epoch, where 4 players can play together, were supposed to start at the end of 2022. However, this did not happen. Now the tests are indeed forthcoming.
From February 23 to February 27, you can experience the ARPG in multiplayer mode, even if you haven’t purchased Early Access. You simply need to go to the Steam page for Last Epoch and click on “Request Access” under the box “Participate in game test”.
Just a short time later, you should receive a notification that you are in. Then you can hack your way through Last Epoch with up to three fellow players over the weekend, which fans also describe as a mix of Diablo and Path of Exile.
What comes after the multiplayer test? The game will remain playable in Early Access, so if you’re hooked, you can continue to play right after. Unfortunately, you will have to play alone again for the time being, as the multiplayer will only be online for the test days. The multiplayer update is expected to be integrated into the regular Early Access on March 9, as confirmed by the developers most recently in December (via lastepoch.com).
In the future, a system called “The Cycle” is also expected to be added to the game, introducing a sort of seasonal operation. This is something we now see in other online games like Diablo, which are structured into seasons. However, when exactly this will happen and when Last Epoch plans to leave Early Access is currently still unknown (via lastepoch.com).
Last Epoch is “the Path of Exile for casual players,” celebrated by fans
How is the game received? Currently, the ratings for Last Epoch have dropped slightly, but the action RPG is doing quite well. In total, 85% of the ratings are positive, and in the last 30 days, it was still 70% out of the total 303 reviews for Last Epoch.
In the reviews on Steam, the target audience of the game is particularly praised. The title is described as a kind of Path of Exile, but for people who only play occasionally. For example, there is a large in-game encyclopedia for all open questions.
Googling for different builds should be unnecessary, writes a fan. With 15 classes and more than 100 skill trees, Last Epoch is complex, but not as complicated as its genre colleague Path of Exile. Still, it offers more to do and more variety than Diablo.
What do the fans say? Here we want to share some voices from people who have already been able to play Last Epoch. They come directly from the Steam reviews for the game:
- Buurz writes after 421 hours in the game: “More to do than in Diablo 2 and 3, less complicated than Path of Exile. A recommendation.”
- TheEldenCheese says after 34 hours: “The game is basically Path of Exile, but for casual players. Those who do not want to remember obscure mechanics just to have a decent build. You don’t need guides outside of the game itself; you just need to play and have fun.”
- Shyanha writes after 81 hours: “I’m having fun and I’m looking forward to multiplayer. It’s not too complicated to build a character, which is wonderful for me. I want to spend my time playing the game, not thinking about how I can do min-maxing. Could I have a better build? Sure. Does it matter a lot? Absolutely not.”
Have you been able to play Last Epoch? Are you looking forward to multiplayer? Or are you taking a look at the game for that reason? Feel free to let us know in the comments here at MeinMMO.
