Last Epoch vs Diablo 4 – Which is better?

If you're looking for an ARPG to sink your teeth into, you may come across two games that caught your attention. At this point, you're at a crossroads, looking through Reddit and YouTube to find which is better: Last Epoch or Diablo 4.

Although ARPGs have a lot of skills, and mechanics in common, one stands out among the other. In this article, I'll be providing my definitive take on which game is better, Last Epoch or Diablo 4.

Which is better, Last Epoch or Diablo 4?

Gameplay

Winner: Last Epoch

Oh boy, I may trigger some Diablo die-hards here. To explain my choice here concisely without having to write an entire thesis, Diablo 4 has a strong and fun campaign. The problem lies in the endgame, where Last Epoch just overtakes Diablo 4 in terms of accessibility and quality-of-life features.

Loot filters and stash tabs are two of the most obvious things missing in Diablo 4, which can impact the fun aspect of the endgame, where it becomes the most tedious portion of the game due to the gear-grinding and farming you'll do to maximize your character.

Last Epoch is easily the most accessible ARPG I have ever played. According to one of the top Steam Reviews in Last Epoch, the game doesn't insult your intelligence like Diablo 4, and you don't need a Ph.D. for ARPGs like in Path of Exile. It's funny, but it's a statement I wholeheartedly agree with.

Visuals

Winner: Diablo 4

In terms of graphical Fidelity, Diablo 4 takes the cake without a doubt. Diablo 4 is a Triple-A title, compared to a game made by an indie studio, Last Epoch. By no means am I saying Last Epoch is a bad-looking game; it's just Diablo 4 has more polish in the visual aspect, and you can clearly see the difference in the environmental quality.

Diablo 4 also has a bleaker color palette (i.e. grayish undertones) than Last Epoch, which may understandably turn people off. Last Epoch excels in implementing a wider variety of color tones without making the game look too cartoonish. But once again, with overall polish and implementation of effects, Diablo 4 slightly edges Last Epoch in this category.

Related: Last Epoch Monolith Guide

Itemization

Winner: Last Epoch

Itemization has always been a bit weak in Diablo 4. Damage on Tuesdays (i.e. Conditional Affixes) on Diablo 4 are so complicated that a newbie will most likely get overwhelmed with the options and get lost on how to proceed with their character build.

Comparing that to my experience with Last Epoch, upon creating my Rogue character, I immediately understood that I needed critical strike chance, critical damage, and physical damage to make my character work. Right then and there, I got equipment with a critical strike chance increase, which I know will make my character stronger; that's called accessibility.

This also applies in the endgame for both games. Even Last Epoch's endgame itemization has conditional affixes (i.e. Lifesteal on hit, Duskshroud on-hit Proc, Weaver), but they are not as overly complex as Diablo 4's system (i.e. 10.5% Damage Reduction while Fortified, 12.0% Reduction from Poisoned enemies).

Build Flexibility

Winner: Last Epoch

Last Epoch is a playground when it comes to build flexibility. Diablo 4, on the other hand, has a tight limitation on its skill tree, wherein you can take one or two passives for your skills, and you're done with the skill tree.

The freedom in the skill tree and specialization in Last Epoch is so diverse to the point where you can mix and match two mastery builds to create a new hybrid one that works off the bat. An example of this is my Rogue build and leveling guide, which essentially sets you up for mastery as you can easily respec any specializations or passive skills you obtained throughout the early game to match your late-to-end game build.

The set and stone archetypes of Diablo 4 made the game feel stiff and fell flat compared to Last Epoch, so LE takes the win in build flexibility.

Related: How to claim the bee pet in Last Epoch

Pricing

Winner: Last Epoch

One of the most important aspects of a video game, at least for me, is pricing. With the amount of new and free content coming to Last Epoch in the future, it's definitely worth taking a look at if you're looking for a fun and decent ARPG.

Diablo 4 has a higher price than Last Epoch, and rightfully so. For the price, you get a much more stable server, a fun campaign, more platforms to choose from, and even crossplay. You also get a full game with better graphics, atmosphere, and NPC interaction.

Since Diablo 4 has been out for quite a while now, and it seemingly hit its stride in the first season, I'd vote on Last Epoch for this category as it feels much more refreshing to play, and the developers actually listen to the fanbase.

Overall Winner: Last Epoch

For more guides in Last Epoch, check out Explosive Trap Falconer Build Guide – Last Epoch right here at Pro Game Guides.