Screenshot: Eleventh Hour Games.
For some unknown reason, whenever an ARPG has a Hardcore Mode, I am drawn to it. I have no idea why, but I do like the stakes involved. Games like Diablo 4 have managed to make this way of playing fun for me. With Last Epoch playing a lot like Diablo 4 by having things like Cycles, it also has a Hardcore Mode. However, it does have its differences. For players who are willing to leap, check out what the Hardcore Mode is in Last Epoch.
Last Epoch: What is Hardcore Mode? – Explained
If you’re familiar with any ARPG having a Hardcore Mode, you’ll probably understand what it means. Everything is against you, and the game gets turned up to 11. I like this way of playing because it means I need to somewhat force myself to play better.
Related: Best Rogue Mastery Class in Last Epoch, ranked
Now, what happens when you die? If we were talking about Diablo 4, which has the element of putting your character in permadeath. Meaning once they’re killed off, they’re gone forever sadly. In Last Epoch, this rule is almost the same. The Hardcore Mode is more than just a label. But if you die, you don’t lose that character. Instead, they get moved over to the Standard servers. So you can continue their adventure in the Softcore Mode.
Can I take my character back to the mode?
When you die in the Hardcore Mode, and your character gets sent to the normal servers, that’s where they will stay — permanently. To do the Hardcore Mode again, you need to create an all-new character and start fresh. In a way, this is like Diablo 4, however, with your character going to the standard realms, there’s a safety net. This may seem like a crutch, but if you lose your character that you invested time in and there’s kind of a second chance, Hardcore Mode can be less stressful. This feature alone could make ARPGs follow suit and make it easier to play for a wide variety of players.
Diablo 4 and Last Epoch share a ton of gameplay mechanics. They also share the ability to customize your character. If you’re lost on how to do that, we have a guide for you right here.
Last Epoch is available now via Steam.
