Eleventh Hour Games (EHG) has pulled back the curtain on an ambitious future for its acclaimed action RPG, Last Epoch. In a comprehensive announcement that has the ARPG community buzzing, the studio outlined its 2026 roadmap, culminating in the game’s first major expansion, Orobyss, and its highly-anticipated debut on the PlayStation 5. However, nestled among the exciting updates is a new monetization strategy for "Paradox Classes" that has sparked a significant debate among the player base.
A Clear Path Forward: Seasons, Expansion, and Console Launch
The roadmap provides a clear, if broad, timeline for what players can expect. The next phases of content will roll out sequentially, starting with Season 4, followed by Season 5. Based on the typical four-month cycle for Last Epoch seasons, this places the arrival of the Orobyss expansion around August 2026 at the latest.
For PC players who have already invested in the game, EHG has confirmed that the Orobyss expansion will be provided at no extra charge. This consumer-friendly approach extends to new console adventurers as well, as the expansion will be bundled with the base game for the upcoming PlayStation 5 release.
In a move that will reassure fans concerned about corporate influence, EHG also took a firm stance on its developmental independence. The studio explicitly stated that it wants "no part" of its parent company Krafton's much-publicized 'AI-first' approach to game design, assuring players that Last Epoch's future development will remain unaffected and human-driven.
The Paradox Class Controversy: Innovation or Paywall?
While the news of free expansion content was met with universal praise, the next part of the announcement has proven to be a lightning rod for criticism. Alongside the Orobyss expansion, Last Epoch will debut a new type of character option: Paradox Classes.
These Paradox Classes are described as variants that "let players experience a class differently." The key point of contention, however, is that they will be locked behind a paywall. Judging by the wording in EHG’s announcement, each Paradox variant may need to be purchased separately.
The official forum post detailing the roadmap and new features can be found here.
This has left the community grappling with the potential cost. Currently, Last Epoch features five base classes (Rogue, Mage, Sentinel, Primalist, Acolyte), each with three masteries, leading to a total of fifteen distinct playable classes. It is not yet clear if a Paradox Class applies to a base class or a specific mastery. Either way, a player wanting to experience all new content could theoretically have to pay anywhere from five to fifteen times to unlock every Paradox Class available.
A Divisive Precedent in the ARPG Landscape
This approach to monetizing gameplay-altering content is a significant departure from the model established by Last Epoch's main competitor, Path of Exile. Grinding Gear Games’ titan relies almost exclusively on cosmetic microtransactions and quality-of-life purchases like stash tabs to fund its development, never charging for new classes or skills.
The Paradox Class model, however, draws a closer parallel to Blizzard’s long-standing strategy with the Diablo series, which has paywalled new classes as far back as the Lord of Destruction expansion for Diablo 2, and more recently in Diablo III and Diablo IV.
The community reaction has been sharply divided. While some players accept that ongoing game development requires a revenue stream beyond initial sales, others feel that paywalling what could be considered core gameplay features—new ways to play—crosses a line. They argue it creates a "have and have-not" dynamic and fragments the player base, a concern that is less prevalent in Path of Exile's purely cosmetic shop.
Looking Ahead: Optimism Tempered by Caution
There is no denying the excitement surrounding Last Epoch's future. The confirmation of a PS5 version opens the game to a massive new audience, and the Orobyss expansion represents a major milestone in the game's content. EHG’s commitment to its creative vision, separate from Krafton's AI initiatives, has also been a welcome reassurance.
Yet, the introduction of Paradox Classes has introduced a note of caution. The coming months will be critical for Eleventh Hour Games as it navigates player feedback and clarifies the exact nature, scope, and pricing of these new classes. How the studio handles this controversy will likely shape the community's trust and the game's longevity for years to come. For now, the road to 2026 is paved with both promise and perplexing paywalls.