In a fiercely competitive landscape dominated by giants like Path of Exile 2 and Diablo 4, Last Epoch—a fresh title that emerged from its Kickstarter roots in 2018—has defied the odds. Initially, the game faced a tough challenge gaining traction but has successfully navigated the hurdles, culminating in its full release in February 2024.

Since launching, Last Epoch has achieved remarkable player engagement. It kicked off with an impressive 264,000 concurrent players on Steam, exclusive to PC. Now, with Season 2 in full swing, the player count has already soared to around 150,000 concurrent players and is expected to exceed 200,000 by the weekend, a feat that's nothing short of outstanding given the lengthy span between updates.

What's even more striking is the game's pricing model: it retails for $35, with deluxe versions going up to $65. Unlike many free-to-play titles, there's no inflated number brought on by a free access model here. Last Epoch has consistently garnered positive reviews, boasting a 77% Mostly Positive rating and an impressive 88% Very Positive rating in the last month.

Last Epoch strategically scheduled its Season 2 launch to avoid the spotlight of Path of Exile 2's major updates. Interestingly, while Path of Exile 2 peaked at 238,000 concurrent players, it suffered a backlash due to drastic nerfs, resulting in a recent 39% Most Negative rating on Steam. This puts Last Epoch's performance into perspective, showcasing its ability to attract and retain players despite the rival's legacy.

In a gaming environment often filled with discouraging news, Last Epoch serves as a beacon of success, reflecting the team's dedication and the community's enthusiasm for this innovative take on the ARPG genre. As a player from its launch, I look forward to diving back in soon, although the allure of new mysteries may be hard to resist.