PATH OF EXILE 2 EARLY ACCESS IS HERE!!


 

Greetings fellow Aliens! The time is nigh! The early access launch of Path of Exile 2 is here!! This release looks to be shaping up as one of the most significant events in the ARPG (action role-playing game) community – RIP D4 amirite?! From what I have seen, Grinding Gear Games looks to be bringing a ton of innovations while staying true to its roots in deep customization with insane class/talent trees and challenging gameplay that, of course, has some absolutely stunning visuals!  

Let’s dive into that new new!
  

At launch, PoE 2 will feature three out of its planned six acts, offering players approximately 25 hours of gameplay per playthrough. Early access will include six playable classes with distinctive Ascendancy options that allow players to specialize even further. Some notable classes for me personally include the Sorceress's Chronomancer, with time-manipulating abilities, and the Witch’s Infernalist, who can summon a hellhound and transform into a demon – yes, I am a Warlock main in WoW, sign me up here. 

For veteran fans of Path of Exile, the shared passive skill tree has been significantly revamped. The tree now emphasizes unique upgrades tailored to each class, enhancing player creativity in building characters. Personally, I love diversity like this when it comes to class designs, allowing for deeper player agency and class fantasies – though, more on that later! Additionally, two trials, the Trial of the Sekhemas and Trialmaster’s Challenge, will serve as engaging ways to earn Ascendancy points while testing players' skills in different scenarios, such as wave-based survival or intricate dungeon navigation. All of which aims to increase replayability because, as we know, that is where most ARPGs struggle.  

So, let’s talk about that – the endgame replayability!  
 

Grinding Gear’s take on end-game loops is what made the original so good, so what could they possibly do to make it even better?  

Well to start, PoE 2’s early access also introduces seven endgame systems centered around the Atlas, a map-like interface where difficulty and rewards escalate as players venture further. Grinding Gear Games has completely overhauled this Atlas system, with over 100 new maps to explore, the Atlas introduces biomes, towers for expanded exploration, and even customization via an Atlas skill tree (mark ‘another skill tree’ off your BINGO card)! These unique endgame systems, ranging from Breaches—dimensional rifts that summon waves of enemies—to Rituals and Delirium, will test players with increasingly difficult encounters for increasingly exclusive rewards. The inclusion of map bosses, some based on juiced-up versions of campaign enemies, adds depth, as these challenging fights provide key progression opportunities. 
 

Replayability is further enhanced by how PoE 2 allows players to experiment with builds. With 12 classes and numerous Ascendancy specializations, alongside a revamped passive skill tree and support gem system, the game fosters experimentation to the upmost degree. This design philosophy, as we briefly touched on earlier, prioritizes player agency, ensuring that the endgame doesn’t feel repetitive. By blending elements of skill-based gameplay, resource management, and risk-versus-reward scenarios, PoE 2 ensures every session feels meaningful to you because you can play the game the way you want to while maintaining that meaningful progression. 

For endgame enthusiasts that have friends, co-op gameplay supports up to six players, opening doors to group strategies and team-based challenges – aka more replayability. Hideouts, corrupted zones, and unique map mechanics like Realmgates and Reliquary Vaults keep exploration fresh and rewarding, so get your min-maxing pants on because it’s about to get sweaty in here! 
 

What are your thoughts on the PoE 2 early access? Are you going to be playing? What are you most excited about? Anything we didn’t touch on here? Let’s chat in the comments!