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

As Diablo 4 rounds its first anniversary, it’s fascinating to reflect on the journey this game has been through since its debut in June 2023. Blizzard has rolled out significant updates, revamping itemization, leveling, difficulty levels, and completely overhauling its endgame structure.

The past year has seen the release of a major expansion, six seasons, and numerous updates addressing nearly all of the criticism from the player base. This means that the Diablo 4 we know today in late 2024 is vastly different from the title that launched that previous summer. Yet, even before these changes, I counted it among my favorite action RPGs because its core elements resonated so well with me.

However, it’s time for Diablo 4 to share the spotlight. Path of Exile 2 is positioning itself as a formidable contender, poised to capture the attention of Diablo’s casual gamers—the group that makes up a significant portion of its audience.

For me, the appeal lies in these action RPGs with isometric views, a focus on loot, and their dark, often apocalyptic tales. I eagerly follow their announcements, but often find that my interest fades quickly due to unsatisfying gameplay moments, leading me back to Diablo more often than not.

This past year, when Diablo 4 was navigating some of its toughest challenges post-launch, Last Epoch made its 1.0 debut. It was decent, enjoyable in parts, but it leaned heavily on an endgame that didn’t hold my interest long enough to fully explore. It seemed to cater excessively to hardcore players, resolving issues many others, like myself, didn’t even recognize or care about. It came, it went, and gathered loyalists, but not enough to challenge Diablo 4’s dominance. Now, though, Path of Exile 2 looms as the most genuine threat to Diablo’s reign.

Admittedly, I never viewed the original Path of Exile as a serious rival to Diablo. The notion of it siphoning off Blizzard’s massive casual fanbase felt as far-fetched as predicting Call of Duty would be outdone by Arma.

Still, Path of Exile has shown remarkable longevity. I’ve revisited it sporadically, attempting multiple runs over the years. I could endure its quirks—like limited inventory space and an overwhelming passive skill tree—but the clunky, unsatisfying combat always pushed me away. Grinding Gear Games, aware of this flaw, made improvements some years back, which prompted another brief return for me, but ultimately, the game just didn’t hold.

Yet, I haven’t played Path of Exile 2 yet, but the buzz surrounding it promises a game that could finally court the Diablo faithful—those who crave dynamic combat, quality loot, and polished production values.

I scrutinize ARPGs’ animation and combat feel more than most might. From early glimpses of Path of Exile 2, I see an evolution that echoes the smooth combat flow of Diablo, particularly Diablo 4.

Though Path of Exile 2 is expected to remain complex, GGG recently showcased new features aimed at maintaining player interest beyond the core campaign available in the early access build. While it appears more user-friendly, it’s clear GGG won’t neglect its dedicated fanbase.

Some of my old gripes with Path of Exile’s presentation persist, and undoubtedly I’ll miss certain aspects of Diablo 4 while playing PoE2. Nevertheless, I’m genuinely excited about immersing myself in its world and combat. Whether this excitement will overcome the game’s notorious complexities remains to be seen.

Putting personal combat critiques aside, Path of Exile 2’s arrival certainly highlights the thriving ecosystem of this subgenre. We’ve moved past a need for games to live solely to replace competitors. I’m excited about and hope for both Diablo and PoE 2 to thrive concurrently, with room for even more additions. Quietly, though, there’s a little concern I might become one of those fervent PoE fans who passionately defend their game’s intricacies—with explanations starting with, “No, you don’t understand.”

Mark your calendars: Path of Exile 2 launches December 6 on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.