Path of Exile 2 Gets Better Every Time I Play It

I’ve had the opportunity to play Path of Exile 2 several times throughout its development cycle, and there’s one thought I had after my latest session: this action-RPG keeps getting better every time I play it.

My First Session: Gamescom 2023

The first session I had the opportunity to join was a demo at Gamescom 2023. Grinding Gear’s Jonathan Rogers took me through the Warrior and Druid class, and I also had the opportunity to wait in line and try out the Monk for the first time. As expected, I got my butt kicked. But that’s par for the course.

The Warrior was a strong, straightforward melee class that delivered satisfying heavy hits, but it was the Druid that piqued my interest. The Druid had an intriguing shape-shifting mechanic, allowing me to switch between human, bear, and bird forms, each offering different abilities and strategic advantages. Despite the steep learning curve, I could see the potential for deep, engaging gameplay.

Early 2024: The Ranger and the Monk

In early 2024, I had the chance to try out the Ranger. The Ranger’s incredibly fun gameplay loop has you shooting lightning arrows and propagating lightning storms of death across the screen. The fluidity of movement and the visceral feedback of chaining lightning bolts through hordes of enemies made it one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve had in an action-RPG.

More recently, I got to try out the Monk again and get some hands-on time with the Warrior, Sorceress, and Witch – all for the first time. Each of them feels unique, powerful, and interesting to play as. The Monk, once you get past the early leveling portions that have you whacking away at enemies with slow and methodical staff strikes, becomes a force to be reckoned with. You can dash in to weaken your enemies, get a few charges, and then annihilate the playing field with an incredibly powerful staff strike to the ground that sends ripples of energy that rip into the earth itself. Once I got the hang of this class's gameplay loop, I felt like I may have found another new favorite.

Witch Gameplay: Master of Minions

But the majority of my time I found myself playing as the Witch, who was one of the first classes I enjoyed in the original Path of Exile. In the sequel, the Witch starts out as a corpse-reviving menace who chooses what abilities the minions will wield, and can even command them to do unique attacks to great effect.

The Unearth skill gem, for instance, will create spikes of bone that travel from the earth in front of you doing a bit of damage, but will also raise the bones of corpses as short-lived construct minions. You’ll then start unlocking Skill Gems like Skeletal Warrior, Skeletal Sniper, and Skeletal Arsonist. Because you’ll only have a set amount of spirit, early on you’ll only be able to Path Of Exile 2 Currency  choose one of these to get started. The Skeletal Arsonist is the option I picked as it has the unique ability to explode any low-life minion in your pack. And not only is that very cool, but it also does a ton of damage to packs of enemies or bosses that weaken your minions to explosion status.

Iterative Improvements and Polished Mechanics

One of the most impressive aspects of Path of Exile 2 is how Grinding Gear Games has iteratively improved and polished the mechanics and classes over time. Each session feels more refined than the last, with smoother animations, better balance, and more engaging gameplay loops. The depth of customization through skill gems and the passive skill tree remains a core strength of the game, offering nearly endless possibilities for character builds.

The visual and audio feedback has also seen significant enhancements. Attacks feel weightier, spells more impactful, and the overall aesthetic has been fine-tuned to create a more immersive and visually stunning experience. The environments are richly detailed, and the atmospheric effects add a layer of depth that makes each area feel alive and dangerous.

Expanding the World: Lore and Narrative

Another area where Path of Exile 2 shines is in its lore and narrative development. The sequel continues to build on the dark, gritty world established in the original game, with deeper storylines and more complex characters. Each class has its own unique storyline, adding a personal touch to the character progression and making the world feel more interconnected.

The addition of new regions and environments expands the game's world, offering fresh challenges and secrets to uncover. The diversity in locales, from dense forests and haunted ruins to desolate wastelands and bustling cities, keeps the exploration exciting and varied.

The Future of Path of Exile 2

As Path of Exile 2 continues to evolve, the future looks incredibly promising. The development team at Grinding Gear Games has shown a commitment to listening to player feedback and making adjustments to enhance the gameplay experience. The continuous updates and community engagement ensure that the game will remain dynamic and responsive to cheap Path Of Exile 2 Currency the needs of its player base.

With each new session, I find myself discovering new mechanics, refining my strategies, and falling in love with different aspects of the game. The promise of more classes, skills, and content to come only adds to the anticipation. Path of Exile 2 is shaping up to be a worthy successor to the original, offering both veteran players and newcomers a rich, rewarding action-RPG experience.

Conclusion

Path of Exile 2 keeps getting better every time I play it. From the initial demo at Gamescom 2023 to the most recent play sessions, the game has shown remarkable growth and refinement. Each class, from the versatile Monk to the minion-mastering Witch, offers unique and compelling gameplay experiences. The iterative improvements in mechanics, visuals, and narrative depth highlight the dedication of Grinding Gear Games to delivering a top-tier action-RPG. As we look forward to its full release, there’s no doubt that Path of Exile 2 will continue to captivate and challenge players, solidifying its place as a standout title in the genre.