PATH OF EXILE 2: BEST ARPG OF 2024?

When we first booted up Path of Exile 2, we didn’t know what to expect. The original game set a high bar for ARPG’s, with its absurdly huge skill tree and insane level of customisation. We are happy to say the sequel doesn’t just live up to that—it cranks it even higher.  

POE2 in our opinion is one of the best games of 2024, it’s full of action, story and it’s incredibly addictive.

Top down games aren’t for everyone but as people that are new to the style, we urge you to give it a go. If you love games like Diablo, Divinity and Baldurs gate, you will love it. Alternatively, If you love souls like games like Elden Ring, but would like an alternative perspective along with something slightly less punishing (slightly) then PoE2 might just be for you.

Now into the mechanics and gameplay.

We felt initially the skill tree and skill gem (used to create skills and buffs) customisation was daunting but over time we realised it was one of the rare games that truly embodies the ‘Play how you want’ style.

 Many RPG’s pride themselves on building your character to play however you want, incorporating magic, weapon use, support styles etc…but there’s a 

 oint in which a meta build takes over and some levels or bosses are almost gate kept behind mechanics or weaknesses that only certain builds could overcome.

POE2 truly feels like you can make any character you want and still get through the campaign, yes some builds will make it easier but you never feel ‘funnelled’ towards creating a particular build to progress. 

The gameplay feels familiar but with some fantastic upgrades. The revamped skill gem system is like meth for anyone who loves experimenting with builds. We spent way too much time messing around with combos, and the freedom to dual-specialise on the skill tree opens up crazy possibilities. Oh, and there are new weapons—spears and crossbows? Yes, please! Combat feels faster and more fluid, especially with the addition of a dodge roll. It just makes fights feel more dynamic and reactive.  

We played mostly with the Monk and Witch which we thought would give a rounded out version of casting and melee play styles, but what we found was that Monk could incorporate casting spells AMD buffs to make a hybrid class.

Many streamers online have done similar with other classes, for example the mercenary has a crossbow that can use spells to rain down devastating elemental damage while maintaining the fluid movement and ranged safety of the mercenary.

See what we mean about ‘Play how you want’?

Visually, the game is stunning. I mean, the environments are next-level. One minute, you’re slogging through a grimy jungle, and the next, you’re exploring a creepy dungeon that looks straight out of a dark fantasy movie. The lighting and textures make it all feel alive, and I found myself stopping just to soak it all in (well, until something tried to kill me). 

The only negative we noticed about visuals was in forested or grassy areas where it looked a little grainy. The more monsters that spawn the grainier it gets, but honestly for early access it wasn’t that much of an issue. It will be interesting to see if this issue is resolved when the full game is released.

The campaign is solid, with six acts that feel tightly packed with action, loot, and surprises. But the real meat, as any PoE fan knows, is in the endgame. Over 100 maps with unique bosses? That’s like handing me a buffet of challenges and saying, “Go nuts.”  

The game is huge, And ends up getting bigger when you inevitably decide to try levelling another class which is highly advised.

Many of our favourite streamers like @aztecross have been playing round with multiple classes and seem to enjoy each class more than the last!

The game is huge, And ends up getting bigger when you inevitably decide to try levelling another class which is highly advised.

Many of our favourite streamers like @aztecross have been playing round with multiple classes and seem to enjoy each class more than the last!

If I had one nitpick, it’s that the sheer amount of options might overwhelm newer players. This game doesn’t hold your hand—it tosses you in and says, “Figure it out.” Personally, we love that, but we can see how it might scare off some people.  

Overall, Path of Exile 2 is shaping up to be something special. It feels like Grinding Gear Games listened to everything we loved about the first game and said, “How can we make this even better?” If you’re an ARPG fan or someone who loves experimenting with builds and grinding for loot, this game’s gonna be your jam.  

See you soon exile!