After just an hour of diving into the early access of Path of Exile 2, I knew it was time to bring out the Excel sheets and let my friends know they wouldn’t be seeing much of me. Grind Gear Games has done it again, pulling me back into the whirlpool of one of my all-time favorite action RPG series. This sequel to a decade-old masterpiece has once again captivated me, pushing gameplay and build mechanics to impressive new heights. Sure, it’s got its share of early access quirks and could be a bit more generous with loot, but even so, there’s plenty here to adore in this captivating, time-eating ARPG.
As expected from the genre, you’re thrust into a relentless hunt, mowing down waves of foes and hunting for treasures. The agony of a small inventory means a quick pit stop in town every couple of minutes is inevitable. Currently, you can spend around 60 hours tackling the first three acts (out of six planned), which you have to play through twice at higher difficulty levels. This grind eventually leads to a sprawling endgame packed with more enemies and shiny loot. Despite some technical roughness and “coming soon” labels, my marathon through this world was mostly delightful.
Narratively, Path of Exile 2 sticks to familiar tropes: apocalyptic monstrosities, and gods toying with mortals. Yet, the journey is anything but dull thanks to its eclectic mix of characters and lore. Characters like Alva, the treasure hunter with a knack for thrilling adventures, made lasting impressions, as did the desert-dwelling Maraketh nomads. With only half the story available now, it’s hard to judge the full arc, but it’s off to a decent, if conventional, start.
Where this game truly shines is in its gameplay innovations, setting a new benchmark for action-RPGs. With six classes on offer and six more promised, you’ll spend countless hours navigating their deep skill trees. The main passive perk tree alone boasts over 1,500 options, ensuring plenty of late nights refining your build as you battle zombies and lizard creatures in pursuit of loot and XP. The procedurally generated maps add variety and freshness, keeping you hooked for days like they did with me.
Each class in Path of Exile 2 offers distinct gameplay styles that outshine many contemporaries. The agility-based Ranger relies on evasion, skirting around the map, ensuring any hit from a boss spells doom. Conversely, the Warrior charges in, focused on overpowering foes before they deplete his health. The Mercenary turns the game into a top-down shooter with a crossbow, offering a unique play style. Personally, I opted for the Witch, building a legion of minions to fight while I cheered them on. This level of class diversity is unmatched in the genre today.
Path of Exile 2 offers a host of intricate systems to perfect your character. Mastering the game’s convoluted skill trees and perks is both daunting and rewarding. This complexity may seem daunting, especially if you’re entering early access, but it promises an exhilarating experience for nerds like me who revel in this level of depth. However, the lack of completed skill trees means certain builds might still be out of reach.
On the downside, loot in Path of Exile 2 is notably scarce. It’s not that the items are bad—I mean, finding gear that boosts my Witch’s minion prowess was a win—it’s just the drop rate that’s frustratingly low. After 60 hours, my first Unique item was a bow useless to my magical build. Although you can trade with other players, grinding without finding gear that suits your class feels discouraging. I hope the loot distribution gets a tweak during this early access phase.
Currently, if you’re jumping into Path of Exile 2, be prepared to revisit the campaign’s first three acts to meet the requirements for the endgame content. Grinding Gear Games wisely focused on a robust endgame, but the requirement to play through acts twice without significant changes is a tedious hurdle. ‘Cruel Mode,’ the second playthrough, isn’t harder per se—it’s often easier, making the experience duller. Perhaps there’s a better way to allow players to advance without repetitive steps?
Fortunately, reaching the endgame rewards your persistence. Despite its early access status, Path of Exile 2’s endgame is a well-developed feature with its detailed, procedurally generated Atlas map. The arrangement reminds me of Diablo meets Super Mario World’s overworld, creating an engaging playground filled with intriguing encounters. I’ve barely scratched the surface of what it offers, but I’m eager to dive deeper. Beyond the Atlas, there are trials that push your skills and progression, offering new perks and formidable bosses for the dedicated adventurer.
Yet, as with most early access games, Path of Exile 2 isn’t without hiccups. Expect issues ranging from slight framerate drops to more severe bugs like disappearing inventory due to patches—frustrating when it wrecks carefully crafted builds. Plus, though the visuals are better than its predecessor, they don’t match the polish of big-budget peers like Diablo 4. For those who enjoy early access’s gritty ride and are okay with a few lost items, your patience will be repaid tenfold.
