Difficulty

The game has 5 difficulty settings:

Easier

Provides an easier game experience.
Use it if you feel uneasy tackling the harder modes.

All damage to the player decreased by 30%
All healing for the player increased by 30%
All detrimental status effects durations reduced by 50%

The player counts as "Elite" in terms of Life per level etc.

Achievements are not granted, and thus any unlock dependent on an achievement cannot be obtained. Specific unlocks affected are mentioned on the unlockables page.

Normal

Provides the normal level of challenges.

The player counts as "Elite" in terms of Life per level etc.

Nightmare

Unfair game setting.

All zone levels increased by 50% + 3
All creature talent levels increased by 50%

The player counts as "Elite" in terms of Life per level etc.

Player can earn Nightmare version of achievements if also playing in Roguelike or Adventure permadeath mode.

Insane

Absolutely unfair game setting.
You are really mentally ill to play this mode!

All zone levels increased by 120% + 5
All creature talent levels increased by 100%

Player rank is "Normal" instead of "Elite" (In 1.3 players rank will be "Elite").

Player can earn Insane version of achievements if also playing in Roguelike or Adventure permadeath mode.

Madness

Absolutely unfair game setting.
You are really mentally ill and wish to get worse to play this mode!

All zone levels increased by 150% + 10
All creature talent levels increased by 170%
Rare creatures are far more frequent and random bosses start to appear.
Player is being hunted!
Randomly all foes in a radius will get a feeling of where she/he is.

Player rank is "Normal" instead of "Elite" (In 1.3 players rank will be "Elite").

Player can earn Madness version of achievements if also playing in Roguelike or Adventure permadeath mode.