Path of Exile 2 – An Action RPG Making Waves as a Major Contender against Diablo 4
Recently, Path of Exile 2 has emerged as a fierce competitor in the action RPG genre, especially following the release of its latest update, Dawn of the Hunt. This update not only marks the first major expansion since the game’s early access launch but also signifies a critical moment for the game as it faces significant challenges from the gaming community.
In the Past 30 Days, PoE 2 Has Received Only 55% Positive Reviews, Causing Its Total Score on Steam to Drop Significantly
The primary reason for this decline in ratings stems from a user experience that many have found to be sluggish and lacking in engaging gameplay. The Dawn of the Hunt update introduced a wealth of new content, including the addition of the Huntress character class, over 100 new skills, and a variety of unique items, along with numerous changes to late-game mechanics. However, the adjustments have come with a substantial increase in difficulty, prompting players to seek out new strategies while still grappling with the challenges posed by the game’s mechanics, such as crowd control and powerful enemy effects.
Despite these challenges, the most significant issue affecting the community is the overwhelming sense of slowness and lack of essential gameplay dynamics throughout the experience. Players have reported spending excessive amounts of time just to engage with standard encounters. Ironically, even with the update, Path of Exile 2 has managed to achieve a remarkable milestone. On April 4th, the game reached a peak player count of 238,836 on Steam, the highest number since late January. Moreover, it surpassed the previous peak of Path of Exile 1, which stood at 229,337 players, recorded in July 2024 during the Settlers of Kalguur update.
Of course, this is merely the early access phase – Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has a long way to go before achieving balance and refining the gameplay experience. However, this “first impression” leaves a substantial impact on the game’s reputation, affecting the entire ARPG community.
