Although Path of Exile is often described as Diablo-like, the sequel has emerged from Blizzard’s shadow and carved out its own identity. Path of Exile 2 went into early access in early December. and was nominated for the Shacknews Awards with a steel chair.
Where Path of Exile 2 sets itself apart from its predecessors is its combat design. Action RPG combat can feel a bit boring once you’ve properly created your character and learned all your abilities, but PoE 2 keeps players prepared through creative combat design. The enemy is unstoppable. And the enemies are diverse enough that players will need to constantly adjust their strategies and styles.
In just a few weeks, Path of Exile 2 has captivated us with intense combat and a wealth of valuable equipment. This creates addictive gameplay as we enter the holiday season.
As an early access title, Path of Exile 2 will receive classes, story content, and more. And even more dungeons will be added once the full launch is released. Still, this bare-bones version is as entertaining as any other game in the genre in recent years.
Be sure to read about the rest of the Shacknews Awards in our Year of Games: 2024 feature.
