Path of Exile 2 Emerges as Diablo 4’s First True Rival, and I’m Relieved It’s Launching During a Lull for Blizzard

Since its debut in June 2023, Diablo 4 has done more than mark the passing of a year—it’s undergone a significant evolution. Blizzard has rolled out numerous updates and changes, overhauling itemisation, adjusting level progression, expanding difficulty options, and completely revamping the endgame experience.

In this span, it welcomed one full expansion, ushered in six seasons, and constantly refined aspects that drew player complaints. The Diablo 4 we see now in late 2024 bears little resemblance to its former self at launch. However, in my eyes, the original version was already a standout favorite among action RPGs, delivering what I really value in these kinds of games, even if others had mixed feelings about it initially.

Nevertheless, Diablo 4’s dominance might soon be challenged with the looming presence of Path of Exile 2, a game poised to capture the interest of those who play games casually—that’s a huge portion of Diablo’s player base.

I’m particularly drawn to ARPGs that are packed with isometric visuals, rich loot systems, and dark storylines about world-ending calamities and the decay of ancient beliefs. Whenever a promising title hits the radar, I’m all over it. Yet, many fail to hold my attention due to less engaging gameplay, causing me to retreat back to the familiar embrace of Diablo.

Earlier this year, when Diablo 4 hit a rough patch, Last Epoch came into the spotlight. It had its virtues, and while it was engaging, it largely centered around an endgame I never reached—nor was I interested in pursuing. The game seemed tailor-made for its hardcore fan base, tackling niche issues, possibly unnoticed by the broader audience, and thus passed by without making much of an impact.

Despite this, Diablo 4 stood undefeated, securing its place as the go-to ARPG among the community’s most vocal enthusiasts. But now, Path of Exile 2 is gearing up to disrupt that reign.

Honestly, I never saw the original Path of Exile posing any real competition to Diablo. The idea seemed as far-fetched as saying Call of Duty could be overtaken by Arma in popularity.

Yet, Path of Exile has managed to endure where others have not. Every so often, I would give it another shot, investing a handful of hours before inevitably stepping away. I tolerated its limited inventory, sprawling passive skill tree, and overly intricate systems, but the clunky, unsatisfying combat always drove me off. Even when Grinding Gear Games attempted to tackle these issues, which briefly drew me back, the improvements weren’t enough to keep me invested.

Although I haven’t had any hands-on time with Path of Exile 2, all signs point to Grinding Gear Games making a concerted effort to cater to the Diablo crowd—the folks who relish slick, rewarding combat, a good loot chase, and high production values.

I’m a frequent player and observer of ARPGs, often picking up on nuances like character movement and combat physics more than the average gamer might. This is where I notice real strides being made; it’s clear Path of Exile 2 is aiming to match Diablo’s fluid gameplay, especially that of Diablo 4.

Even so, Path of Exile 2 is bound to remain a more intricate offering compared to Diablo 4. The developers have been vocal about their new features and systems, many of which are geared toward the endgame, despite only a portion of the main campaign being available initially. They’re certainly making it more approachable, yet it’s doubtful they’d ever forsake their core community.

Some of those long-standing presentation flaws linger in PoE2, and there are definitely elements from Diablo 4 I’ll miss. However, I’m genuinely excited about experiencing the game—navigating the world, engaging in combat, and feeling the impact of every move. Whether this excitement can outweigh its complexities is yet to be seen.

While I ponder the intricacies of combat, I can’t deny that Path of Exile 2’s arrival highlights the robust health of this gaming niche. We’ve moved beyond the notion of one game existing solely to destroy another. There’s room for both to thrive, and plenty of space left for more titles. Though I can’t help but wonder if I’ll become one of those passionate fans who leaps to its defense whenever a newcomer pokes fun, often beginning with, “You just don’t get it.”

Path of Exile 2 is set to launch on December 6 for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.