Path of Exile 2 Emerges as Diablo 4’s First Major Rival, and I’m Thrilled It Launches During a Lull for Blizzard

Diablo 4 has circled the sun more than once now, having launched back in June 2023. Since then, Blizzard has made sweeping changes to how the game handles items, leveling, difficulty modes, and especially its endgame setup. Over the course of the past year, they’ve rolled out a full expansion, six seasons, and a multitude of updates, all aiming to tackle nearly every player complaint. The Diablo 4 of late 2024 feels like a whole different beast compared to the version players dove into that initial summer.

Despite its rocky start, the original version of Diablo 4 already held the title of my favorite action RPG. Even with its flaws, it offered the core experiences I love most in these kinds of games. But now, as the game starts to wind down, another contender has appeared on the horizon: Path of Exile 2. This sequel could be the first genuine threat to woo Diablo 4’s vast, casual player base.

I’ve always had a soft spot for ARPGs set in isometric worlds overflowing with loot and stories of impending doom and corrupted beliefs. Whenever a new title is announced, I find myself intrigued and often give it a try. Yet, they rarely hold my attention for as long as Diablo. Their gameplay often falls short of expectations, driving me back to the comforts of Blizzard’s creation.

Earlier this year, even as Diablo 4 was going through one of its rough patches, the 1.0 version of Last Epoch launched. It was a decent game, certainly playable, but its focus skewed heavily towards an endgame I wasn’t invested in. It seemed designed to cater to the whims of its most hardcore fans, adding systems and solving issues that probably flew under the radar for most players. In the end, it captured only its most committed audience, allowing Diablo 4 to continue reigning unchallenged. But that reign might just face a challenge with the debut of Path of Exile 2.

To be honest, I never saw the first Path of Exile as a significant competitor to Diablo. The idea seemed as improbable as saying Call of Duty would be outdone by Arma. Path of Exile has proven tenacious over the years, though. Time and again, I would install it, invest several hours, only to bounce back out. Despite tolerating its cramped inventory, absurdly vast skill tree, and overly complicated gem system, its clunky combat was always a dealbreaker for me.

Grinding Gear Games, the developers behind Path of Exile, acknowledged these shortcomings, and once even attempted an overhaul, which drew me back in for another short-lived trial. I haven’t yet laid hands on Path of Exile 2, but the buzz around its release has caught my attention. It seems like GGG is finally targeting the Diablo crowd, those who crave satisfying combat, vibrant loot, and high production values you’d expect from blockbuster titles.

Being an avid ARPG observer and player, I often notice details like character movement, the priority of attack animations, and the heaviness and impact of combat more keenly than most. This is where I’ve seen the most improvement, and it seems to be approaching the fluidity of Diablo’s combat, particularly that of Diablo 4.

I understand that Path of Exile 2 will still be much more intricate than Diablo 4. Recently, the developers dedicated over an hour to showcasing new features and systems intended mostly for the endgame, even though the early access version features only part of the core campaign. While it might be more approachable, it’s clear GGG won’t abandon the hardcore fans.

There are still elements of Path of Exile’s presentation that bother me, and there are features from Diablo 4 I’d love to see in PoE2, though they’re unlikely to make it. Nonetheless, I’m genuinely looking forward to diving in, moving through the game world, and feeling the intensity of its combat. Whether this will be enough to overlook its complexity remains a question.

Setting aside my personal hang-ups about combat nuances, the release of Path of Exile 2 is a testament to the vibrancy of the ARPG subgenre. We’ve moved beyond the notion of one game needing to obliterate another. I’m excited to see both co-exist, with room for even more entries. Secretly, though, I have a slight concern that I might just join the ranks of PoE enthusiasts, launching into elaborate defenses whenever someone dismisses it, typically starting with, “You just don’t get it.”

Mark your calendars: Path of Exile 2 is set to release on December 6 for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.