When Path of Exile was released in 2013, it quickly became the darling of the hardcore action RPG community. It was dark, complex, merciless, and had that “old Diablo” vibe that many had been missing. Now, more than ten years later, the sequel Path of Exile 2 is finally on the horizon. Expectations are huge – and yes, I was also pretty excited to see if Grinding Gear Games could manage to rekindle the magic of the first game. After many hours in the game, I can say in mx review: there’s a lot of light, but also a bit of shadow.
The first impression – dark, brutal, impressive
Right from the start you notice that Path of Exile 2 isn’t doing things halfway. The graphics have taken a massive leap forward, without losing that typical dark, almost oppressive style. Instead of colorful effects and flashy fantasy settings, you still get filthy swamps, burning ruins, and old catacombs full of nasty creatures. Everything looks much more modern, yet still familiar – like meeting an old friend who’s dressed up nicely.
The story loosely takes place in the same universe as the first game, this time with twelve completely new acts. Anyone who knows Path of Exile knows: the story isn’t the central highlight, but more like the dark backdrop for the slaughter. Still, I have to say that the presentation in the second part offers much more. The cutscenes are more atmospheric, the characters feel more alive, and the world seems a bit more coherent.
The heart: the combat system
Where Path of Exile 2 really shines is the combat system. It feels more dynamic, fluid, and direct than in the predecessor. Animations have more weight, hits feel “real”, and you immediately notice that Grinding Gear Games took some inspiration from modern action RPGs. Finally, it doesn’t feel anymore like you’re just firing off a bunch of effects – you feel the impact.
I especially liked the rework of the skill gem system. In the first game, the system was genius but also incredibly clunky and often off-putting for newcomers. Now it feels more accessible without losing depth. Skill gems are directly built into weapons and armor, making it easier to understand how to enhance or combine abilities. This makes the entry much smoother, especially if you haven’t buried yourself in Path of Exile build guides for years.
Character variety and build options
Of course, with a Path of Exile title you can’t forget the topic of builds. Anyone who was afraid that PoE 2 would be “casualized” can relax. The new passive skill tree is huge, and there are countless ways to optimize your character. But: it’s a bit tidier and more understandable than in the first game, without losing depth.
For example, I tried out a Ranger specialized in poison damage. After a few hours, I felt like I was already developing a completely different playstyle – simply because the skill combinations are so flexible. That motivates you to keep trying new things. At the same time, you still get that familiar feeling: “Oh god, how am I ever going to decide?” – and that’s exactly what makes Path of Exile.
Strategic Currency Integration for High-Tier PoE Builds
High-tier builds are where the complexity of Path of Exile really shines, but they also demand a significant investment in specialized gear. To avoid getting bogged down in the repetitive grind for Orbs, many players choose to buy PoE 2 currency through dedicated marketplaces. Taking this route lets you bypass the unpredictable nature of RNG, giving you the resources to finalize your gear immediately. Instead of spending weeks farming for a single drop, you can shift your focus to mastering intricate skill rotations and overcoming the game’s most challenging boss mechanics.
Atmosphere and sound design
One aspect that often gets underestimated is the sound design. Here I have to give a big compliment: monsters screech, weapons sound powerful, and the music perfectly underlines the action. Especially in dark dungeons, the sound creates an oppressive atmosphere that constantly reminds you that you’re in a hostile world.
What I did miss a bit, though, are really striking pieces of music that stick in your head. Path of Exile 2 is atmospherically excellent, but it still lacks that one soundtrack moment where you think: “That’s the PoE2 song”. Maybe that will come later with updates.
Performance and technology
Technically, Path of Exile 2 runs surprisingly stable. Sure, it’s not a high-end blockbuster like Diablo IV, but it doesn’t need to hide either. On my PC with a mid-range GPU, the game ran mostly smoothly. Only in very large fights with dozens of enemies and effects at once did I notice small stutters – but nothing that ruined the experience.
The controls also feel improved. Especially with mouse and keyboard it’s even more precise to place skills. And if you prefer playing with a controller, good news: that’s been improved a lot too. The game now plays really well with both control types.
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Where it still struggles
Of course, not everything is perfect. Especially newcomers might still be overwhelmed by the complexity despite all improvements. Even if the new gem system is simpler, Path of Exile remains a very demanding game that doesn’t hand you anything. Anyone expecting a “light Diablo” here will quickly get frustrated.
There are also some balancing problems. Some skills feel way too strong, while others are hardly useful in comparison. But that’s something Grinding Gear Games will likely adjust over time – they’re known for that.
Another point is the progression in the endgame. The mapping system, which kept players in the first game busy for hundreds of hours, has been reworked in the second part, but still doesn’t feel quite polished. Here I had the feeling that motivation dipped a bit after a few dozen hours in my review.
A worthy successor
All in all, Path of Exile 2 is a worthy successor that improves on many aspects of its predecessor without betraying its roots. The graphics are more modern, the combat system more dynamic, and the build variety still gigantic. Sure, there are still some teething issues with balancing, and the endgame could use a bit more variety, but overall Grinding Gear Games delivers an action RPG that fans shouldn’t miss.
My rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
For newcomers, the learning curve remains steep, but it’s definitely become more accessible. For veterans, it’s a new challenge that preserves the spirit of the original. And that was really the goal, wasn’t it?
