Path of Exile 2 is getting a lot of love from many players, but for some, Diablo 4 seems to be the better choice after all. At least that’s what those think who simply want to play relaxed.
On December 6, 2024, Path of Exile 2 launched in its Early Access and attracted more than 1 million players. Many of them seem to really enjoy the new ARPG. On Steam, 84% of the reviews are positive.
However, Path of Exile 2 is quite challenging, the passive skill tree is very extensive, and the fights can be really tough. Some players currently feel like they are in Dark Souls, which is primarily due to the fact that they have to learn boss mechanics and fight with great concentration.
On Reddit, players are now explaining why they are returning to Diablo 4 after trying out Path of Exile 2. Some apparently had a really rough time.
What advantage does Diablo 4 offer? In a post on Reddit, a user explains that he played Path of Exile 2 and got as far as Act 3. He had to struggle through the boss fights and couldn’t really enjoy the game. He is finding it hard to find the fun in it as it has been a “complete grind” from the start.
As someone who wants to relax by gaming after a workday, PoE 2 has only increased his anticipation for the next season of Diablo 4. However, that won’t be released until January 2025. He notes that he loves both games – but Diablo just speaks to him more on a “slaughter everything” level. In PoE 2 he had a “miserable time,” he states.
Diablo 4 for the “mindless sprint”
What do other players say about it? The overall tone in the comments shows that some players see exactly this as the advantage of both ARPGs. The top comment comes from pancakebreak. Many seem to agree, as he received over 1,000 upvotes:
I play tons of different ARPGs and love them all for very different reasons. The fact that PoE 2 is not a mindless sprint is what I like about it. At the same time, I also like the fact that Diablo 4 is a mindless sprint. I’m glad that there are both.
The poster replies that this is where “the best of both worlds” comes together. And gorcorps comments that the games seem too different for a real comparison. “People act like you have to like one or the other for some reason. […], but there’s no reason not to enjoy both for different reasons.”
Opheleone also sees the advantages of both ARPGs and comments:
That’s exactly why I will play both. The bosses in PoE 2 make me so happy, and the combat really feels like isometric Elden Ring/Dark Souls, which I’m a big fan of. Besides that, I still need mindless shooting when I’m tired and stressed from work, and Diablo 4 fulfills a power fantasy where I destroy everything.
One side in the comments appreciates the extensive skill tree, the build options, and the challenging fights in Path of Exile 2 – and finds the endgame in Diablo 4 boring and repetitive. Others prefer to casually slice through monsters in Diablo 4 without having to think much. And some just switch from one ARPG to the other – depending on their mood. All the better that there are options with the two titles.
If you are just starting in Path of Exile 2, we have some helpful tips for you. Because MeinMMO author Cedric Holmeier was able to play before the Early Access release and explains the things he wished he had known beforehand to make your start easier. You can read more about it here: I have been playing Path of Exile 2 for 2 weeks – 5 things I wish I had known beforehand
