The Chinese version of the popular action RPG Path of Exile (PC, PS4, Xbox One) differs slightly from the international version. Meanwhile, there are even calls to introduce some of these features generally.
What makes the Chinese version of PoE different? Path of Exile is very popular, it is growing and growing. However, there are some so-called quality-of-life features in the Chinese version that players in the international version miss.
However, there are also things that, while fundamentally good in concept, leave much to be desired in their implementation. These are things with which the Chinese publisher Tencent monetizes the action RPG in China.
These are the popular quality-of-life features in the Chinese version:
- A “death log” that informs you after your demise about what killed you
- Videos during the selection of subclasses (Ascendancy classes) that show you how this class works
- Pets that collect loot for you
- An auction house
- The ability to plan a path on the passive skill tree in advance
Changes that are not easy to implement
What is somewhat controversial? In the Chinese version of Path of Exile, there are also some things that the players view somewhat critically:
- Additional inventory slots for money
- A trade system through which players can trade among themselves, but it costs money
What do players think about the differences? Especially the quality-of-life features are something that quite a few players would like to see in other versions of Path of Exile as well.
- hackenclaw says on Reddit: “It is the year 2020, yet to buy an item I still have to visit a damn website outside the game client to search for it.”
- Thor_Thanos333 writes: “Oh my God, that looks so much cooler! And very helpful for beginners like me.”
- Kasspa comments: “It’s just dumb and ridiculous that it feels like the Chinese version is a completely different game because of all the crazy QoL features they get. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”
- Shimaran tries to explain the differences: “Remember that we have a different market than in China. They got the game long after us. I think these things were implemented because the game had no chance there without these changes.”
- pfSonata views the changes critically: “Quality of life is usually just a euphemism to make the game easier. It is very clear that many of these changes make the game more palatable for Chinese players, who mostly prefer terrible MMOs with pay-to-win schemes and bad gameplay. Reddit literally does not understand what they expect from a game, and if GGG implements all their suggestions, the game will be trash.”
MeinMMO author Andreas Bertits states: The features serve to make PoE a bit more beginner-friendly and maybe even a little easier. While this could attract newcomers and excite them for the hack and slash, the hardcore fans who enjoy the high difficulty of Path of Exile may be put off by it.
The developer studio Grinding Gear Games therefore cannot simply implement these changes into the international version, as they could otherwise alienate their target audience. Such adjustments would have to be introduced carefully.
Path of Exile is among the 15 best MMOs and MMORPGs you can currently play. If you want to know what the other 14 games are, you should read the article. Maybe you’ll find another hack and slash that you’d like to try.
