During the gamescom, our author Mark Sellner visited Path of Exile 2 and was able to not only check out the latest class but also play the beginning of the ARPG himself. And it gets a lot right from the start.
What exactly did Path of Exile 2 show? At the beginning of the meeting with Chris Wilson, the studio founder of Grinding Gear Games and responsible for Path of Exile, I was allowed to see the new class first. It is the Druid, who promptly transforms into the classic bear form.
During a short demo, I learn that the Druid in Path of Exile 2 has much more depth than in his self-chosen comparison in Diablo 4. Because the Druid has, in addition to the bear form, also a wolf form and more. However, they did not want to reveal exactly how many.
Presenting me the bear form almost invites a comparison to Diablo 4. And that is worth it, because Path of Exile 2 has nothing to hide from Blizzard. I realize this a few minutes later when I’m invited to play the first hour of Path of Exile 2 myself.
It becomes very clear, even now, more than a year before release, that Path of Exile 2 does at least 3 things better than Diablo 4.
The atmosphere shows Diablo what really dark means
How does PoE 2 start? From the very first steps, it becomes clear that Path of Exile 2 can flex its muscles. I start as a Monk on a beach, unconscious. The screen and the surroundings slowly open up as the oppressive black gradually reveals the inhospitable coast.
It is night on the map and it is raining heavily. The raindrops bead off my character’s skin, and the wind rustles the scraps of my armor up and down. Despite so many effects, the game runs smoothly; however, I do not know what hardware is inside the PC I was allowed to play on.
In any case, the game makes it clear to me after a few seconds that it is a graphical powerhouse. Path of Exile 2 looks graphically worlds better than its predecessor and can easily keep up with Diablo 4.
What makes the atmosphere so strong? On the beach, drowned people are wandering around, and the Exiles are fighting for their survival, accompanied by a soundscape that reaches deep into your bones. Everything in this world is dark, dangerous, and inhospitable.
This is already made clear by Diablo 4 within the first few steps, but generally the world in Path of Exile 2 feels more coherent, darker, and meaner. Although the story presentation cannot keep up with Blizzard, at least the first maps are designed at the highest level.
This strong atmosphere is also contributed by the first fights that are actually no walk in the park, on the contrary.
Path of Exile 2 already gives me a challenge in the first minutes
How is fighting? The combat system feels significantly better, especially in direct comparison to its predecessor. Many abilities have gap closers, allowing you to get several meters closer to the enemies without having to move actively.
This ensures that PoE 2 feels really fluid and fast in every fight. The new dodge roll fulfills the remaining part.
Already after the first 15 minutes, my Monk has found 3 abilities and jumps around the enemies as if he had been a gymnast at the Olympics once. It is really fun, but at the same time also very difficult.
The game takes me as a player seriously: Before I even find the first quest or the first NPC, I stumble upon a miniboss while exploring the map, who, and one cannot say otherwise, really knocks my lights out.
My Monk bites the dust despite healing potions because I thought a couple of times that I didn’t need to dodge. That was definitely my mistake, but it shows that the first enemies in Path of Exile 2 are already a challenge if I’m not careful.
I really like that and I missed it in Diablo 4. Of course, Diablo also becomes incredibly demanding at some point, at the latest the Butcher has proven that. But regarding fights, I always felt bored in Diablo during the first hours. Path of Exile 2 doesn’t allow that, so this point goes to Grinding Gear Games.
By the way, as a little half point for those who were wondering: Path of Exile 2 brings back the genre-typical transparent map of the environment, which you can use while running.
The Power Fantasy
feels like even more power
What is the Power Fantasy? Uniquely, one of the selling points of Diablo 4. Blizzard likes to speak of the “ultimate Power Fantasy”, as also recently during the Opening Night Live. But in my opinion, Path of Exile 2 is far ahead here. To explain this, one must understand the skill system of PoE 2.
You have the option to equip 8 different skills. You do this, as in the predecessor, through skill gems that you find in the world. Each of these skills can then be supported by 6 additional skills, thereby enhancing, changing, or even automating it.
For example, from the gameplay: I have a little volcano that I can place on the ground. As another skill, I have a lightning storm available. Now I find the spell “Use on Cast”, which is a third spell.
Then I use the new spell “Use on Cast” in the volcano, which has another slot where I subsequently place my lightning storm. From now on, a lightning storm casts automatically around the volcano when I place one, without any further input from me.
Similar combos early in the game: Even my Monk at level three already has similar possibilities. So I quickly find out, and much more straightforward than in the predecessor, how I can turn a simple hit on the ground into jumping lightning that travels in lethal lines across the ground.
Additionally, there’s the possibility to distribute passive skill points multiple times and to bind them to each weapon set.
All in all, Path of Exile 2 not only provides me with the power fantasy of having absolute control and power over my character and his powerful abilities, but also visually the first spells already look so much more impressive than what Diablo 4 has managed.
Thus, Path of Exile 2 achieves that I feel both weak and challenged, as well as incredibly strong and powerful.
Conclusion after the first hour
How did I like the first hour? As you can probably tell from this text, it was fantastically good. If Path of Exile 2 manages to maintain the level of the first hours throughout the entire game, I have high hopes for the MMO.
The fights are fun, the skill system has not lost any depth, but has become significantly more accessible for newcomers, and the graphics are great.
Of course, everyone can have their own opinion about the title, but after the first hour in PoE 2, my anticipation for the game has only increased. For me, already a clear winner when comparing it to Diablo 4.
For those who can make compromises in terms of presentation and story and enjoy tinkering a bit longer with their character to find the strongest combinations, Path of Exile 2 is definitely worth checking out.
