Path of Exile 2
A Casual Player’s Perspective
Path of Exile 2 is finally here, and for those of us who’ve been around since the early days of Wraeclast, the game’s arrival is an exciting moment. Having played Path of Exile 1 when it first launched — in those years when making it past the docks without a guide felt like a Herculean task — I’ve seen the game evolve into something more accessible and rewarding. In its final seasons, Path of Exile 1 struck a balance that let casual players like me find joy and power without constantly chasing the meta. I could pick a class, choose an ascension, and play through the campaign confidently, knowing my build would carry me to the endgame. Even off-meta setups, like my own of Ice Nova of Wintery Blast, felt viable.
Path of Exile 2, however, feels like a step back to the game’s early, punishing roots. It’s reminiscent of playing the original Path of Exile at launch or, perhaps more accurately, a relentless mode akin to Ruthless. This isn’t just nostalgia — it’s a stark contrast to what Path of Exile 1 had become: a game that allowed for powerful builds, fast-paced gameplay, and fun, quick experimentation, even for the more casual players.
The Ruthless Feeling of Early Progression
I’m not far into Path of Exile 2’s campaign. My highest character is a level 44 Grenade Mercenary, followed by a level 22 Frost Sorceress. Neither feels powerful. In fact, the Frost Sorceress feels downright frustrating, like playing Path of Exile’s Ruthless mode but without even the modest crutch of early-game essentials like Holy Flame Totem. The experience is slow, punishing, and unrewarding. If you’re hoping to casually dominate with impactful spells and fun builds from the start, Path of Exile 2 does not deliver.
Grinding Gear Games seems to have designed Path of Exile 2 to be a challenging and methodical experience. The pacing is deliberate, and the process of bringing a build together feels excruciatingly slow. For those who thrive on challenge, slow experimentation, and optimization, this might sound like a dream. But for players like me, who want to dive in, blast enemies, and have fun immediately, the current state of Path of Exile 2 feels alienating.
A Game That’s Harder to Love
In Path of Exile 1’s final seasons, I didn’t need to consult a guide to feel powerful. The game’s balance allowed for experimentation while still giving casual players the tools to succeed. Path of Exile 2 demands far more time, effort, and knowledge to achieve even a semblance of the power that Path of Exile 1 offered freely. The challenge is so prominent that it overshadows the fun of gameplay. The progression feels like a chore rather than an adventure, and spells lack the satisfying impact that made Path of Exile 1’s late seasons so enjoyable.
For casual players, this shift is a disappointment. I don’t play Path of Exile for the sake of “slow builds” or the “meta” of struggle. I want to log in, blow up some monsters, and feel like a hero. Path of Exile 2 doesn’t cater to that desire. Instead, it’s a game that seems to prioritize difficulty and grind over accessibility and fun.
Who Is Path of Exile 2 For?
Path of Exile 2 is, at its core, for players who enjoy a long, deliberate journey. It’s for those who want to experiment slowly, savoring the intricacies of their builds. It’s for the hardcore, the dedicated, and those willing to sink hours into fine-tuning their characters. If that’s your jam, Path of Exile 2 might be everything you hoped for.
But for players like me, who want to pick up a game and feel powerful without a guide, Path of Exile 2 feels like it’s not ready yet. It lacks the balance and accessibility that made Path of Exile 1’s final seasons so great. Unless Grinding Gear Games makes significant adjustments to pacing, power progression, and early-game fun, Path of Exile 2 will remain a game I’m not inclined to revisit.
A Hope for the Future
There’s potential in Path of Exile 2. The foundation is there, and the game could evolve, much like its predecessor did, into something more accessible and enjoyable for all types of players. But right now, it feels more like an homage to the original’s punishing start than the refined and rewarding experience Path of Exile 1 had become. I’ll be watching and waiting, but until then, I’ll miss the days of casually blasting through Wraeclast with a build that was off-meta, powerful, and, most importantly, fun.
