Path of Exile 2 Early Access Review - IGN
After just an hour of playing the early access version of Path of Exile 2, I realized I’d soon be diving into an Excel spreadsheet and saying goodbye to my friends and family for a while. Just when I thought I was done, the incredibly talented team at Grinding Gear Games has reeled me back in with a sequel to one of my all-time favorite action RPGs—a game that has already taken up a huge chunk of my time since it launched ten years ago. The gameplay, endgame features, and ridiculously detailed character building have all improved significantly. Although it has its fair share of typical early access quirks and currently features some frustratingly low loot drops, there’s already so much to enjoy about this amazing, time-consuming ARPG.
As is typical for this genre, you can expect to spend your time fighting through hordes of enemies in search of loot, defeating large and grotesque bosses, and frequently zipping back to town to offload your treasures, thanks to your very limited inventory space. Currently, in its unfinished form, it takes around 60 hours to battle through the first three acts of the campaign (out of a planned six) twice (the second run on a higher difficulty) before you reach the impressively rich endgame, where even more challenging mobs and valuable gear await. Despite some technical glitches and areas marked “coming soon” for missing features, I found the bulk of my marathon sessions over several days to be thoroughly enjoyable.
It's clear that Path of Exile 2 doesn't break new ground in its storytelling—it follows the familiar plot of terrifying monsters threatening the world and immortal beings using mortals as mere pawns. However, this doesn't mean the narrative lacks excitement or surprises. Discovering the characters and exploring the unique culture and history in each chapter is a standout aspect. I found myself really enjoying Alva, a treasure hunter who relishes adventure and is skilled at making a quick getaway when trouble arises. Additionally, learning about the Maraketh, a fierce group of nomads who survive in the desert, was truly engaging. While we haven't yet seen what the latter part of the story will deliver, so far, it has started off well, even if it's not particularly groundbreaking.
While Path of Exile 2 takes a conventional approach to its storyline, it aims high with its gameplay, resulting in one of the most engaging action-RPGs available. After selecting from the six available classes (Grinding Gear has mentioned a total of 12 will be introduced), you'll embark on a challenging journey through a skill tree that's bewilderingly intricate. The complexity seems almost intentionally humorous as you gradually construct your ideal character build; just a glance at the massive passive skill tree, which boasts over 1,500 options, will have you adjusting your glasses frequently. You'll then unleash your skills and gear against a variety of foes, from zombies to bizarre lizard creatures, in a relentless pursuit of loot and experience points—a quest that can keep you up well into the night if you're as eager as I am to break open the next loot-filled creature. Plus, the procedurally generated maps enhance replayability while still feeling meticulously crafted, making it easy to lose track of time, just as I did for an entire week.
Every class provides a distinct gameplay experience that significantly alters the dynamics.
Path of Exile 2 introduces numerous gameplay enhancements compared to its predecessor, making the experience of battling through waves of monsters endlessly enjoyable. Among these improvements are the ability to dodge-roll, which adds a vital skill element for survival; support for WASD movement, which greatly enhances navigation; and various quality-of-life upgrades that align the game more with contemporary titles. Additionally, in many respects, it outshines its competitors. The combat is lively and less monotonous than in games like Diablo 4, where you may find yourself mindlessly repeating the same skill combos to defeat foes. While you can certainly reach an extraordinary level of power eventually, enemies in Path of Exile 2 generally put up a decent challenge, particularly during boss fights where you'll need to master their attack patterns to prevail. This makes the combat experience feel significantly more engaging, akin to a true action game rather than a typical action-RPG.
Each class in the game offers a distinct playstyle that significantly changes the gameplay experience compared to other ARPGs. For instance, if you opt for the Dexterity-centered Ranger, you'll be more of a hit-and-run player, maneuvering around the map while prioritizing your Evasion stat, which allows you to dodge incoming attacks. However, if you do get caught by a powerful hit from a boss, you're likely in trouble. On the other hand, if you select the Warrior class, you’ll find yourself charging into melee combat clad in heavy armor, trying to take down enemies quickly before they chip away at your life. The Mercenary, meanwhile, swaps a sword for a crossbow, transforming the gameplay into something akin to a top-down shooter – a departure from the typical feel of other characters. Personally, I spent most of my time playing as a Witch, focusing on a build centered around minions that did the fighting for me. This allowed me to spend my time cheering on my undead allies and providing support. Such a variety in gameplay styles is something I haven’t seen in the alternatives to Path of Exile 2.
Navigating the intricate layers of passive perk trees, skill and support gem arrangements, the Atlas system, and the Ascendancy tree—two advanced systems packed with additional effects—adds up to a complex web of mechanics to understand if you want to master your character. This complexity is a positive aspect of ARPGs, particularly when you’re ready to dive deeper than just a casual experience. These games encourage players to deeply explore complex menus in search of the ultimate stat combinations, and Path of Exile 2 certainly enhances this trend even more than earlier versions. It might take quite some time (definitely a lengthy process) to grasp how everything fits together, especially if you start playing early, before the dedicated community creates detailed guides. But if you're like me and enjoy delving into these intricate systems, the journey can be truly enjoyable. However, one downside of playing the early access version is that not all skill trees are fully developed yet. As a result, you might aim for a particular build or ability, only to discover that it’s still in the planning stages. This could prevent you from acquiring certain support skills that align with your build and allow you to explore various directions.
One notable downside of Path of Exile 2 is its loot system. This isn't to say that the items themselves are poor—landfinding a scepter that allowed my Witch to summon additional undead minions was definitely a highlight. The real issue lies in how scarce the loot is. First, there's no real guarantee that the gear you acquire will suit your selected class. Even when you do come across appropriate items, they often don't enhance your character effectively, as you typically need very specific gear for your build to advance. I played for over 60 hours before I stumbled upon a single Unique item (a special high-tier category of items), and when it finally dropped, it was a bow that my magic-focused character couldn't even utilize. While trading with other players is an option for obtaining desired gear, it can be disheartening to invest so much time and not see any significant rewards, especially if you prefer to play solo.
I really hope that the loot becomes somewhat more generous during the early access phase.
In a similar vein, while there are some ways to enhance average items by adding new perks and increasing their rarity to boost your odds, these options don’t really address the disappointing nature of loot drops, which often feel underwhelming. You’ll probably end up hanging onto your top gear for longer than necessary simply because you lack better choices. This shouldn't surprise anyone familiar with the first Path of Exile, as getting good loot has always been a challenge there too. However, I was hoping that Grinding Gear would tackle this issue in the sequel. While this strategy has clearly resonated with the player base of Path of Exile, I believe it’s a significant oversight for an action RPG, where exciting loot is a major attraction. I genuinely hope that the loot system gets adjusted to be a bit more satisfying during the early access phase.
If you're planning to dive in at the launch of Path of Exile 2, I hope you find the initial experience of the first three campaign acts enjoyable. Currently, if you wish to access the endgame content, you'll need to replay those acts, as Grinding Gear has concentrated on developing the early access version around them rather than completing all six acts. They made a strategic decision to prioritize the endgame experience for the full launch, which is generally a wise move. However, this means you'll have to complete the first half of the campaign twice without any changes other than tougher enemies in the second run, before moving on to the endgame. While I appreciated the storyline, having to replay it back-to-back to meet a character level requirement felt tedious and led to unnecessary repetition. It's particularly puzzling that the second run, referred to as "Cruel Mode," wasn't tougher at all; in fact, it felt easier because I was familiar with the challenges and had a much stronger character. This makes the second time through quite dull. Why not just adjust our characters and gear to the appropriate level instead?
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Once you reach the endgame phase, you'll find yourself enjoying a rich experience. Despite being a work in progress, Path of Exile 2 has a surprisingly well-developed system in place. The centerpiece of this experience is the Atlas—a vast, procedurally generated map that allows you to explore various nodes and objectives, such as enigmatic merchants, hidden boss encounters, and numerous other surprises. It’s reminiscent of a blend between Diablo and the overworld map of Super Mario World, in the best possible way. Although it shares similarities with the endgame of the original game, this new version enhances and expands almost every facet, making it incredibly fun to navigate. I’ve barely skimmed the surface after putting in more than a dozen hours, and I can easily imagine investing an additional hundred hours into it. On top of that, there are trials that challenge you with unique objectives and tricky modifiers, rewarding you with powerful items and guiding your progress along the Ascendancy perk tree. There's also a formidable endgame boss that acts as the ultimate test for the most dedicated players. The amount of content is impressive, and it's clearly well thought out, especially considering it’s still in early access. This level of quality isn’t surprising, given that the development team has drawn from over a decade of experience in enhancing the endgame elements from the first Path of Exile.
That being said, even with a strong endgame, Path of Exile 2 has not completely escaped the typical glitches found in early access games. I experienced a range of issues, from minor framerate stutters to some truly frustrating moments, like when a patch wiped out all my skill gems, support gems, and top weapon from my inventory, nearly ruining my character build and forcing me to grind to recover what I had lost. If you're someone who easily gets frustrated and throws their controller when things go wrong, I suggest waiting to jump in. Early access can be quite challenging, and you risk losing valuable items in the blink of an eye. Despite these problems, the overall quality of the game kept me engaged and wanting to continue playing. It’s also important to note that Path of Exile 2 has made visible and audible improvements compared to the first game, even though it doesn’t quite match the graphical fidelity of a AAA title like Diablo 4. So, while the visuals are definitely better, they didn't completely amaze me.
At its early access debut, Path of Exile 2 is already looking like the sequel we hoped for. The core action-RPG gameplay has been polished, and the endgame content is more developed than expected. The first half of the storyline shows great potential, even though the dark fantasy setting feels somewhat familiar. However, the downside of early access is that you have to play through all three acts twice to get to the endgame. The loot system also needs significant adjustments to ensure we consistently find useful items. Additionally, some technical issues could be frustrating if things go wrong, but I don't think this affects the overall outlook for this ambitious sequel. Even as we await the full release, Path of Exile 2 is already an incredible way to invest countless hours and represents a significant advancement for the franchise.
