Last Epoch finds a perfect balance between being accessible to all players while offering considerable depth. From crafting to build creation to endgame content, every aspect of the game caters to a diverse audience.

Players have the option to engage in offline play, which offers certain quality-of-life enhancements such as a pause button but sacrifices some online features. Deciding between offline and online play can be a bit daunting, especially considering Last Epoch offers various offline modes to select from. Before making a choice, let's delve into how Last Epoch's offline modes operate and what sets them apart from online gameplay.

What Role Does Offline Mode Play In Last Epoch?

Last Epoch presents an unconventional approach to offline play, offering two distinct modes: Play Offline and True Offline. While one can be accessed directly from the main menu, the other requires selection before launching the game. These modes are nearly identical, differing primarily in chat functionality, as we'll detail in the following section.

Characters created in either offline mode remain exclusive to offline play and cannot be transferred for online use. For instance, if you create a character in Play Offline, it's confined to that mode or True Offline; transitioning to Online Play won't transfer the character . Essentially, characters crafted in offline mode are ineligible for cooperative play or item trading. This means you cannot get and use Last Epoch Gold at all.

However, offline play boasts certain advantages. Both modes enable pausing the game at any moment by pressing Escape, with no restrictions on frequency. Moreover, playing offline offers notable benefits like reduced load times and input latency. This results in more responsive combat and quicker transitions between zones.

Distinguishing Between Play Offline & True Offline Modes

Last Epoch offers two distinct offline modes, one of which curiously necessitates an internet connection:

Play Offline: Accessed directly from the Last Epoch main menu, although an initial internet connection is required for logging in. While in this mode, game chat remains available, yet player invitations and trading functionalities are inaccessible. It's essential to note that once logged in , an internet connection becomes optional. Play Offline mode disables co-op and trading, ensuring that hub towns are instanced, devoid of other players. However, global chat remains active if an internet connection is maintained during gameplay.

True Offline: Exclusive to the "Play Full Offline" option when launching the game via Steam. True Offline mode liberates players from the necessity of logging in, thus eliminating the requirement for an internet connection. Similar to Play Offline, most online features are disabled in this mode. Notably, game chat and co-op functionalities are inactive, rendering the Merchant's Guild obsolete since player trading is unavailable.

Distinguishing Between Offline & Online

While online characters may lack access to a pause button, they enjoy the benefits of cooperative gameplay with others and utilizing the Merchant's Guild for trading. For players inclined towards trading for top-tier gear, online play is the exclusive avenue for this experience. Additionally , if cooperative play in ARPGs is your preference, online play is the sole option available.

On the flip side, individuals who favor playing at their own rhythm may lean towards offline play. Offline modes offer the convenience of pausing the game instantly, catering to those with unpredictable schedules or intermittent internet connectivity. If you prioritize playing at your own pace or lack a stable internet connection, offline play presents the ideal choice.

Is Offline Mode Right For You?

In general, opting for offline play is advantageous for individuals grappling with sluggish internet speeds or those facing unpredictable schedules. The ability to halt the game at any given moment renders it considerably more accessible for certain player types. Nonetheless, the inability to engage in trading with offline characters represents a significant drawback, rendering the Merchant's Guild practically redundant.

For those who prioritize cooperative play or trading, we recommend creating an online character instead. Beyond this aspect, virtually nothing else in Last Epoch undergoes substantial alterations between the two modes. Therefore, there's no need to feel compelled to opt for a specific mode. The leveling process remains relatively straightforward, buildcrafting is notably less daunting compared to similar ARPGs, and no content, apart from trading, is restricted in either mode. If cooperative play or trading holds little significance for you, there's no harm in opting for offline gameplay .