The first time I played Path of Exile was back in November 2013, during its open beta. Grinding Gear Games unveiled their free-to-play action RPG—a tribute to Diablo 2—with a goal to create a worthy successor to one of the most iconic ARPGs of all time. The grim setting of Wraeclast, the tight and responsive combat, the creative Skill Gems, and the sheer depth of customization felt right from the get-go. Even the massive Passive Tree didn’t intimidate me, despite my early decision to completely ignore resistances and health in favor of more damage. Ah, the good old days when I had no idea what I was doing in the endgame.
Over the years, I revisited Path of Exile many times, fascinated by its changes, expansions, and new content. Some moments left me awestruck, while others, like Lake of Kalandra and Archnemesis, baffled me. But the 336 hours I’ve spent across multiple characters feel like nothing more than a light brush over the vast complexity of the game. And now, with Path of Exile 2 in early access, I can say this: it’s time to get hooked all over again.
The New Chapter in Wraeclast: Darker Than Ever
Set 20 years after the events of the first game, Path of Exile 2 sees the world plunged back into darkness. The Count of Ogham, after discovering the Seed of Corruption, becomes seduced by its power and brings about a new age of madness and chaos. This sets the stage for a new generation of Exiles—players like you, starting as a prisoner on death’s row, waiting to be hanged. But after escaping your grim fate, you find yourself on a journey filled with twists and turns, as you venture through a land corrupted by The Beast.
The narrative is solid, with well-executed voice acting and a plot that’s organically intertwined with the quests. Act 1 offers a straightforward, linear experience with strong NPCs and world-building, while Act 2 brings some unexpected changes to the formula, offering a unique approach to mission selection. In Act 3, you’ll find more optional tasks, including new characters, unique bosses, and rewards that significantly enhance your journey.
While the story shines with atmosphere and complexity, Path of Exile 2 stays true to the essence of an ARPG. The emphasis remains on exploring, looting, and battling through dynamic zones that remain fresh even after hours of gameplay. And if you’re looking to enhance your gear or speed up your progress, consider checking out U4GM, where you can find helpful POE Currency to give your character that extra edge.
The Combat: A Dance of Chaos and Control
The heart of Path of Exile 2 lies in its combat, and the early hours offer a solid foundation. At first, you only have a handful of basic abilities, a dodge roll, and some creative freedom. However, it doesn’t take long for the complexity to ramp up. My personal favorite so far has been experimenting with my Sorceress build, which combines fire, frost, and lightning elements in a synergistic dance. From casting a Fire Wall to setting it ablaze with Frostbolts, to triggering Chain Lightning with a well-timed Winter Orb, the possibilities are endless.
As you level up and gain access to new passive abilities and support gems, the variety of builds expands exponentially. A few hours into the game, and my character was already experimenting with creating Ice Walls, firing Firestorms through them to deal area-of-effect damage, and using Lightning Conduit to zap enemies that were frozen. The sheer flexibility of the skill gem system allows for endless possibilities, and while it can get overwhelming at times, it’s a delight to experiment with different builds.
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Crafting and Customization: Simpler Yet Deep
The crafting system in Path of Exile 2 is streamlined compared to its predecessor, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less impactful. Instead of relying on complex socketing mechanics, you’ll primarily be using currency to augment magic items or upgrade them to Rare items. It’s easier to get into and less frustrating for newcomers who may have felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of crafting options in the first game.
The new system includes Salvage and Reforge benches, and while they do require a certain amount of resource management, they offer enough flexibility to make your gear feel personalized. The introduction of Artificer’s Orbs, which add Rune slots to weapons and armor, further adds layers of customization, enabling you to fine-tune your character’s strengths and weaknesses.
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Bugs and Issues: Still a Work in Progress
As is typical with early access, Path of Exile 2 isn’t without its bugs and issues. Some are minor, like fish swimming in place after a waterway is drained, but others are more frustrating. A bug I encountered involved a boss soft-locking itself after I moved out of its arena during a fight, causing it to regenerate health endlessly. A few crashes and performance hiccups, particularly around high RAM usage, also occurred. After a recent 52 GB patch, I even lost several of my equipped skill and support gems, which was a real nuisance.
Despite these issues, the overall experience is solid, and the core gameplay remains as addictive as ever. As Path of Exile 2 continues to evolve, I expect many of these bugs to be ironed out. Until then, I can still recommend the game to anyone who’s been waiting for a truly engrossing ARPG.
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Final Verdict: Still One of the Best ARPGs Out There
Bugs and a few design hiccups aside, Path of Exile 2 is shaping up to be an incredible ARPG. The world of Wraeclast is more alive and terrifying than ever, and the new combat mechanics, builds, and crafting systems only enhance the experience. While I’ve only scratched the surface of the endgame, the journey has been more than enough to sink countless hours into.
For fans of Path of Exile, this is the start of a new obsession. And for newcomers, there’s never been a better time to dive into the world of Wraeclast. With the help of U4GM, you can enhance your experience, whether it’s by purchasing path of exile 2 exalted orb. or finding the right items to boost your character’s progression. As the game continues to evolve, I have no doubt that Path of Exile 2 will set the standard for the genre for years to come.
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