So in the current version, I've run 25 clears tonight and gotten 0 essence and 0 runestones..... it's been mildly infuriating to say the least.
Benefits of the previous version: More density, Could choose which essence you wanted to farm, smaller/easier to clear maps.
Only benefit of the current being you can get to the boss fast? But in addition to lacking the previous versions benefits there is monsters disappearing after your death or when you move too far after engaging.
Overall I'm considering finding a download of the previous version just to make the farming easier here (single player) because I'm basically locked out of progressing until I get some runewords and 25 clears with nothing is absurd.