The action RPG Last Epoch leaves early access today, on February 21. For the 1.0 release, the game will receive a whole list of new features. What you can look forward to is explained here.
What kind of game is this? Last Epoch is an action RPG and competes with genre giants like Diablo 4 or Path of Exile. It doesn’t need to hide, though, as it offers a wonderful middle ground with more depth than the current Diablo 4 but less complexity than the extensive Path of Exile.
Last Epoch already entered early access in April 2019. Almost five years later, the 1.0 version, which shakes things up for the final release, is now appearing.
You can get a brief overview of the release here: Last Epoch releases today – time, price, and everything important in 2 minutes
More variety in class selection
In Last Epoch, you can choose between 5 classes, each with 3 subclasses, totaling 15 options. Two of these subclasses, also known as mastery classes, are new to the game with the 1.0 patch:
- The Falconer is a mastery of the Rogue. This class specializes in luring enemies into explosive traps and always fights alongside her loyal companion, a falcon.
- The Warlock is a specialization of the Acolyte. She uses forbidden magic to curse her enemies and plunge them into doom.
Additionally, two of the existing classes will receive new or revised abilities that provide additional options.
- Primalist: Gathering Storm
- Primalist: Tempest Strike (revised)
- Guardian (Paladin): Healing Hands
New system aims to please everyone
In an action RPG, one wants to not only level up but also loot. The appearance of the loot system depends on each player’s personal taste. Last Epoch’s solution: every player can simply choose how they want it.
Once you reach the city of Maj’Elka, you can join one of two factions. This choice affects how you can get valuable loot most easily.
- Circle of Fortune: Joining this faction increases the chance of item drops. Prophecies will also help you find more valuable loot. Perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to trade with other players.
- Merchants’s Guild: Members of the trading guild have the option to trade items through the Bazaar or directly with other players.
If you gain enough reputation with a faction, you level up there and receive suitable bonuses. You can change your faction choice at any time without losing progress there.
Other features? The faction system is not the only new mechanic being introduced in patch 1.0.
- Resonances: Previously, items in Last Epoch could only be gifted to other players if they were present when the item was found. If you play long enough with a player, you now have the chance to find Resonance. This resource allows you to gift all items of a specific rarity – but only to the player through whom you received the Resonance.
- Cycles: With the Cycles, Last Epoch introduces a classic season system. With each major update, a new season starts, which can only be participated in with new characters. Once the season ends, there is a final ranking. The characters can then continue to be played as legacy characters.
The game will also receive a separate offline mode and full controller support.
Even the endgame is not secure
In addition to these innovations, old mechanics will also be revised in patch 1.0. This mainly includes a rebalance of the endgame.
- To make the endgame more consistent and less chaotic, several adjustments have been made. Enemies at high levels now have more health, and corruption has been increased. However, monolith modifiers no longer scale with corruption, their duration has been shortened, and modifications of dungeons and arenas have been generally weakened.
You can also expect many small improvements and new content:
- Improved light and shadow effects
- More dynamic environment through weather and seasonal changes
- Revised character animations and menus
- New cinematics
- New enemies
- New items
- Bug fixes
Have you played Last Epoch yet? And which feature are you particularly looking forward to? Feel free to let us know in the comments.
Even in early access, Last Epoch was able to convince many players. Currently, the game has received 85% positive ratings on Steam and recently reached a major milestone. However, this caused some concern among certain players: New competition for Diablo 4 on Steam is already a hit before release – but this worries some players
