As Path of Exile 2’s Ratings Fall, a New ARPG Emerges

If you’ve been keeping up with action RPGs, there’s a good chance Path of Exile 2 has crossed your radar. This sequel took the gaming world by storm when it hit Early Access last December, setting new benchmarks for the franchise.

For enthusiasts like myself, the return of PoE was thrilling. At its peak, the game attracted more than half a million players on Steam and held the crown for the top-selling game for several weeks. However, as often happens with early access titles, the player base began to decline until fresh content arrived.

Then came version 0.2, sparking renewed interest as player numbers soared back to around 250,000. With the influx of players came a wave of reviews.

What’s Shaking Up Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2 enthusiasts couldn’t help but feel disappointed by the significant alterations Grinding Gear Games introduced. The game felt considerably slowed down compared to its genre peers and even its precursor.

Whole character builds faced nerfs, targeting outliers but adversely affecting more balanced skills. In some cases, basic attacks overshadowed skill combinations, leaving players relying heavily on traditional weapons.

In essence, the gameplay loop underwent changes, leading to discontent among players and a drop to a 44% recent review score. Steam reviews capture some of these frustrations:

One image haunting players shows enemies taking a relentless amount of time to defeat. Veterans of the game shared sentiments such as, "The ‘Dawn of the Hunt’ update makes everything drag on. Boss fights are longer than necessary, and skills deal minimal damage. I understand the intention of slowing down gameplay, but I can’t see myself sticking with this league for long." – Hellexion (200 hours in-game)

And comments like this: "This update misses the mark on what makes video games enjoyable." – RustedHeroes (263 hours in-game)

Then there’s Docholliday211, with their biting remark: "The new patch ruined the game. If you enjoy pointless grinding, this is the title for you." (831 hours in-game)

As you can see, these voiced concerns aren’t from mere newcomers but experienced players with over a month logged in. Their insights hold weight.

Last Epoch’s Well-Timed Upsurge

Meanwhile, Last Epoch has seized the opportunity with the release of its second season. It quickly surpassed Path of Exile 2’s numbers by 40%, not bad at all for a title that emerged from Early Access just last year.

The surge caused some players to face login issues, yet the game’s recent review scores remain high. Players frequently reference Path of Exile as a benchmark.

Some of the feedback includes remarks like: "After over 100 hours in the current PoE2 league, trying Last Epoch was a breath of fresh air. I had forgotten how fun an ARPG could be from the start." – Creeo (266 hours)

It’s clear Last Epoch removes many hurdles, offering a gameplay experience more focused on fun rather than the grind, appealing to players who step back from more hardcore titles.

Grinding Gear’s Commitment to Improvement

Since the much-discussed 0.2 patch, Grinding Gear Games has been actively listening and responding. Though improvements are being made, the negative reviews still outweigh the positive ones.

Despite updates, players express a desire for a more significant rollback of changes. However, the studio is pushing forward with their upcoming 0.2g patch to tackle loot complaints. According to their Steam page, they’re planning to improve boss drop quality and mitigate streaks of poor loot from campaign bosses.

Whichever way you view Path of Exile 2’s current state, the commitment to incorporating player feedback is promising. Their eagerness to refine the experience is a testament to their dedication.

A Diablo 4 Season is Just Around the Corner

Not to be overshadowed, Diablo 4 is also preparing for its next season, about a week away. While its style varies, its appeal to fans of classic ARPGs is undeniable.

This season will nudge nostalgic players, featuring Belial from Diablo 3 as a formidable boss. Those who aren’t even big fans of Diablo 4 might consider returning to see the latest additions.

With new powers, a fresh boss event, and a gauntlet of 10 consecutive bosses culminating in Belial, this update might be the perfect excuse to dive back in. For those curious, our Diablo expert Jennifer Young offers an in-depth preview, detailing all the infernal additions coming this season.