Developed by developer Eleventh Hour Games, Last Epoch is taking the isometric ARPG genre by storm, but it doesn’t really do anything to reinvent the wheel, and for good reason. In a genre dominated by the casual-friendly Diablo 4 and the hardcore Path of Exile, Last Epoch manages to make its own mark and occupy the undisputed middle ground between the two games.

If you’re familiar with classic ARPGs like Diablo 2, you’ll find Last Epoch’s core gameplay quite familiar. While it doesn’t revolutionize the formula, it does introduce some notable shifts in genre conventions. I’ll get to those in a moment.

In Last Epoch, your adventure begins with the selection of five distinct classes: the eccentric Mage, the cunning Rogue, the ancient Primalist, the grim Acolyte, and the steadfast Sentinel. Each class offers unique gameplay experiences and extensive customization options, ensuring that no two players will have the same experience. A crucial aspect of this customization lies in the Masteries system, which functions as advanced classes. Each of the five classes presents three different Masteries to choose from, greatly expanding the possibilities for building your character.

The diversity of builds in Last Epoch far surpasses what was available in Diablo 4 thanks to the unique classes and their Masteries. Each skill in each class has its own Path of Exile-esque skill tree, adding an extra layer of complexity. You can specialize in five skills of your choice, unlocking their respective skill trees. Whether you want your skeleton archers to fire fire arrows, poison arrows, or explore other possibilities, the options here are vast. Despite the added complexity, it’s worth delving into these skill trees for the depth they bring to your builds.