Path of Exile 2 Emerges as Diablo 4’s First True Rival, and I’m Relieved It Launches During Blizzard’s Calm Phase

Diablo 4 has been living and breathing the gaming world for over a year now. Since its debut in June 2023, Blizzard has rolled out numerous essential tweaks to its itemization, leveling, and difficulty modes, significantly altering its endgame landscape.

In just this short period, the game has seen its first full-fledged expansion, experienced six seasonal updates, and undergone myriad changes that tackled nearly every player complaint. The Diablo 4 we see in late 2024 is almost an unrecognizable evolution of its initial release version from the previous summer. Yet, despite its growing pains, the early version of Diablo 4 was my go-to ARPG, precisely because of how it satisfied the elements I hold dear in these games.

However, it’s time for Diablo 4 to take a breather as Path of Exile 2 emerges as the first real contender with the potential to attract Diablo 4’s casual crowd—the heart of its player base.

I have a soft spot for that particular flavor of action RPGs—those isometric, loot-centric, shadowy tales of worlds on the brink of extinction and the collapse of ancient beliefs. I follow the ones that pique my interest when they’re announced, but I often don’t stick with them as long as I’d like. Usually, I’m drawn away due to lackluster gameplay, inevitably pulling me back to Diablo’s allure.

Earlier this year, during one of Diablo 4’s rough patches, Last Epoch’s 1.0 version hit the scene. It did okay. It played decently, but its main focus seemed to be an endgame I just couldn’t muster enough interest to reach. The game often felt tailored for its most fervent players, solving “issues” that most folks like me wouldn’t even notice. For most, it came and went, keeping only its die-hard fans engaged.

Thus, Diablo 4 continued its monarchy, bolstered by Blizzard’s dedication that effectively solidified its status as the top ARPG among the most vocal aficionados in the community. But that dominance faces a new threat with the upcoming release of Path of Exile 2.

In all honesty, the original Path of Exile never struck me as a contender against Diablo. The notion of it siphoning off Blizzard’s massive casual crowd seemed as far-fetched as a YouTube thumbnail claiming Call of Duty’s downfall by the hands of Arma.

That said, every so often I’d give Path of Exile another shot, dedicating about six or seven hours before calling it quits. I endured its cramped inventory space, the humorously vast skill tree, the convoluted gem system, and even its approach to item identification, but I couldn’t get past the clunky, less-than-thrilling combat.

Grinding Gear Games, the ingenious minds behind Path of Exile, recognized this flaw and tried to address it a while back, prompting another fleeting attempt from me which quickly fizzled out.

I haven’t yet set foot in Path of Exile 2, but from all the buzz, previews, and insights, it appears GGG is making a proper attempt to court the Diablo crowd—those who crave compelling action, a sprinkle of loot, and that big-budget production polish.

As someone who dives deep into ARPGs, I tend to pick up on details like character fluidity, attack animations, and the overall feel of weight and impact more than your average player. This is where I’m noticing significant strides, and it’s getting awfully close to capturing the combat allure I love about Diablo, particularly Diablo 4.

I know Path of Exile 2 is inherently going to be more intricate than Diablo 4. The developers recently dedicated over an hour to showcasing features mainly tailored for endgame enthusiasts, even though the early access version will only show us a glimpse of the core campaign. Sure, the game seems to be angling for broader accessibility, but it’d be unwise for GGG to completely forgo their loyal fanbase.

Some of the visual issues that nagged me about PoE persist in the sequel, and I’m aware I’ll likely wish for specific Diablo 4 features in PoE2 that just won’t translate. Yet, despite all this, I’m genuinely excited to try it out—feeling the character’s movement, interacting with its world, and experiencing that punchy combat. Will that be enough to overlook its complexities? I’m still pondering.

Putting my own combat nitpicks aside, it’s undeniable that Path of Exile 2’s release marks a testament to the subgenre’s robust vitality. We’re beyond the era of one game existing just to eliminate another. I eagerly anticipate both to thrive side-by-side, with ample space for even more innovations in the genre. Secretly, though, I fear turning into one of those PoE devotees who launch into rants when someone pokes fun at their game—the kind that always seems to start with, “You just don’t get it.”

Mark your calendars: Path of Exile 2 is set to make its grand entrance on December 6th for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.