It’s been over a year since Diablo 4 hit the scene in June 2023. Blizzard has been hard at work, rolling out major updates that refined the game’s itemization, leveling, difficulty settings, and even restructured its endgame. This dedication also brought about a full expansion, six whole seasons, and numerous updates that addressed nearly every complaint from players. Fast forward to late 2024, and Diablo 4 feels like a completely different beast than it did at launch. But to be honest, I was already a fan even before all these changes, as the initial version still nailed what I love most in action RPGs.
However, it’s now time for Diablo 4 to catch its breath because Path of Exile 2 appears poised to woo away its casual player base, which is a considerable chunk of its audience.
I’m drawn to that specific flavor of action RPGs—those isometric, loot-centric games with brooding narratives about apocalyptic events and faltering faiths. I follow promising titles keenly when they’re announced, but often find myself putting them down sooner than I’d like. Usually, they don’t grab me enough, mainly because the gameplay doesn’t deliver that instant thrill and satisfaction that pulls me back to Diablo time and again.
When Diablo 4 faced one of its toughest patches earlier this year, Last Epoch officially arrived at version 1.0. It was alright. It played fairly smoothly but seemed overly fixated on an endgame that I just couldn’t care for or stick around long enough to see. It felt like a game built to cater specifically to its die-hard fans, crafting features and fixes for problems that would go unnoticed by most players. It made its entrance and exit without much fanfare, only retaining the loyalty of its hardcore enthusiasts.
Thus, Diablo 4 continued unchallenged at the top, bolstered by Blizzard’s steadfast improvements. But now, the stage is set for Path of Exile 2 to present a formidable challenge.
I’ve never viewed the original Path of Exile as a legitimate contender to Diablo’s throne. The thought that it could capture Blizzard’s vast casual audience seemed as unlikely as Call of Duty being dethroned by Arma, despite clickbait YouTube thumbnails suggesting otherwise.
Even so, Path of Exile has remained steadfast among its peers. Every so often, I’d reinstall it, dedicate a few hours, but ultimately find myself drifting away. I managed to cope with its cramped inventory, its sprawling passive skill tree, its complex gem system, and its awkward item identification process. Yet its combat just didn’t click for me, feeling clunky and unfulfilling.
Grinding Gear Games, the minds behind Path of Exile, recognized this weakness and even tried to revamp it some years back, which prompted me to give it another go. But once more, it failed to keep me hooked.
While I haven’t gotten hands-on experience with Path of Exile 2 yet, everything I’ve seen, heard, and read suggests that GGG is setting their sights on the Diablo crowd—the folks who enjoy engaging action, a dose of loot, and high-end production.
I spend a lot of time playing ARPGs, and I notice details like character movement, priority of attack animations, the heft, and flow more than most. In those areas, Path of Exile 2 finally seems to match the fluidity we see in Diablo—particularly in Diablo 4.
It’s clear that Path of Exile 2 will still be more intricate compared to Diablo 4. The developers recently held an hour-long presentation detailing features and systems designed mostly for the endgame, even though the initial early access version will only showcase part of the main campaign. While the game may be more approachable, it would be unwise for GGG to abandon their core loyalists now.
Despite lingering concerns with some presentation aspects of Path of Exile that may persist in its sequel, and knowing I’ll miss specific Diablo 4 features, I’m genuinely excited. The prospect of moving around, interacting within its world, and experiencing its combat vigor is thrilling. Will that be enough for me to overlook its complexity? I’m not sure yet.
Personal combat preferences aside, the introduction of Path of Exile 2 underscores the thriving state of this subgenre. We’re beyond the idea of one game existing to single-handedly vanquish another. I wish for both games to coexist and flourish, embracing the room for even more to join the fray. Deep down, I’m a little concerned I might morph into one of those fervent Path of Exile fans, quick to defend it with, “No, you don’t understand,” whenever someone takes a shot at their favorite game.
Mark your calendars, as Path of Exile 2 is set to launch on December 6 for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.
