Amidst titles like Diablo 4 and Path of Exile, the entire action role-playing game (ARPG) genre is currently thriving. However, a new contender, developed by a team that initially connected through Reddit and maintains a close relationship with its community, is poised to make a significant impact. This new entrant has confirmed the release date for its full 1.0 version. Last Epoch pledges to deliver more distinctive items, a greater variety of character classes, and improved crafting compared to Blizzard’s acclaimed sequel set in the Sanctuary. Last Epoch’s approach, focused on community-driven development, is set to challenge the best in the ARPG genre, creating fierce competition for Diablo 4 and Path of Exile.
In its early stages, Last Epoch started as an after-hours endeavor involving web developers and game creators seeking a passion project beyond their day jobs. Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, the RPG game has cultivated a devoted player base that actively collaborates with Eleventh Hour, the development team, to brainstorm and implement new features.
Eleventh Hour’s CEO and Last Epoch director, Judd Cobbler, discussed the game’s vision with PCGamesN at Gamescom, emphasizing its goal to amalgamate the finest elements from various ARPGs. The game positions itself as a direct rival to Diablo 4, boasting an array of character classes, unique items, and talent trees. After an extensive early access period, featuring numerous updates and refinements, Last Epoch, set in the ever-evolving fantasy realm of Eterra, is nearly prepared for its full release.
The release date for Last Epoch is February 21, 2024. Cobbler acknowledges that this date is later than originally planned but notes that the packed schedule of mainstream releases in 2023 prompted the delay.
Cobbler stated, “We understand that February is later than we had initially targeted for this release; however, our original December timeline became a bit crowded with other studios’ releases, and we didn’t want to force the ARPG community to have to choose. By moving our date, we’ll also be able to take advantage of a few more months of polish for our new systems and classes, complete more bug-fixing, and provide our team with a well-deserved holiday break.”
While waiting for Last Epoch’s release, players can still enjoy the latest season of Diablo 4 with the best Diablo 4 builds. Alternatively, they can look ahead to 2024 and the exciting upcoming games heading to PC.