Path of Exile 2: A New Era for Action RPGs

Path of Exile 2 has taken the throne in the action RPG genre, and it's not just a worthy sequel — it's a redefinition of what the genre can achieve. The latest update has earned it the title of "next-generation action RPG" in its official description, and after spending considerable time with the game, I can confidently say it's one of the best in the genre. Even though it's still in early access and lacks a completed campaign, its ambitious design and engaging gameplay make it a must-play. While it's set to become free-to-play with version 1.0, it's already worth the price of admission.

The game has successfully followed up on its original campaign with an endgame loot grind that doesn’t feel like a chore. It blends the eerie worldbuilding and loot chase of Diablo 2 with the challenging combat of Elden Ring. In PoE 2, a giant gorilla can be both your enemy and your ally — one of the classes even specializes in taming monsters. Watching that same gorilla destroy an enemy for you is incredibly cathartic.

A Game of Endless Possibilities

PoE 2 is full of ideas that stretch further than any other game in the genre has attempted. However, its complexity can be overwhelming. The sprawling skill tree, for instance, is a rabbit hole that could keep players busy for hours. But for those willing to dive in, the rewards are well worth the effort. As someone who’s still learning the ropes, I find the depth of the game absolutely enticing.

The campaign in PoE 2 is the sole reason it's accessible to normal players compared to its predecessor. The latest update, Return of the Ancients, didn't add a new chapter, but it cleaned up some of the worst parts of the original campaign. Experienced players will notice that navigating the most labyrinthine levels is now much faster, making it easier to replay the campaign every season.

New players benefit from tighter pacing and a wealth of items from the latest league or season mechanic. These side activities are the focus of each league and eventually become permanent features of the game. In the current update, stone shards are scattered throughout Wraeclast, dropping valuable items after defeating waves of monsters. These bonus loots are essential for surviving the campaign’s most brutal bosses, like the man who transforms into a mutated wolf, reminiscent of Bloodborne.

Unlike other action RPGs, such as Diablo 4, PoE 2's campaign feels more like a journey than homework to be completed before the real game begins. It's a significant improvement from the early days when the campaign was so stingy that you could play for 10 hours before getting your first necklace. Now, you'll experience power spikes that let you trivialize certain sections before enemies catch up and start drawing blood again.

A More Engaging Endgame

Previously, PoE 2’s endgame world map was an endless expanse of nodes representing levels to clear, with no clear direction or goal. Unless you frequented Reddit or YouTube, you'd be left guessing what you were supposed to be doing. That’s no longer a problem.

The new version of the map surrounds your starting position with major endgame activities, each one luring you toward its own unique challenge. In the south, you might see a patch of land warped by the bright green cracks of the hordes of Abyss monsters crawling out of their domain deep below the earth, or a pale garden of twitching purple hands where Breach monsters have invaded.

As you explore these areas, you’ll encounter characters who explain what’s happening and direct you to a main hub for their associated mechanic. I met the ghost of a woman who opened a hole in the ground leading to an unsettling boss fight in the pitch black domain of a god. Later, I met a man standing next to a shattered mirror who spoke in riddles until I broke his curse and learned about the psychic damage (and piles of loot) Delirium encounters can bring you.

By filling the world with strange points-of-interest, PoE 2's endgame has moved away from the monotonous grind to a series of compelling investigations into its bizarre world. The sense of completion as you finish each thread and clear out the map is satisfying, and it also provides a solid stopping point if you're not interested in grinding until the next league.

PoE 2 is now packed with juicy secrets and powerful loot to find, creating an endgame experience that barely feels like an endgame at all.