Path of Exile 2 Emerges as Diablo 4’s First True Rival, Arriving During a Lull for Blizzard

Diablo 4 has been around for more than a year now. Since its grand debut in June 2023, Blizzard has rolled out some major updates, transforming its item system, leveling process, difficulty modes, and giving a fresh spin to its endgame structure.

The game has seen a full expansion, six lively seasons, and an array of updates that have tackled almost all player complaints. As we close in on the end of 2024, Diablo 4 feels like a different game compared to its original release in the summer of the previous year. Yet, even before these changes, it was my go-to ARPG. Even at its launch, which faced some criticism, it hit the right notes for me in terms of what I seek in these games.

But now, maybe it’s time for Diablo 4 to step aside, as Path of Exile 2 seems poised to be the first real contender that could attract its casual audience — the majority that keeps the game lively.

This particular genre of action RPG, with its isometric view, loot-centric gameplay, and dark storylines that delve into worlds teetering on apocalypse and the corruption of faiths, is exactly my cup of tea. I keep tabs on those that catch my eye once they’re announced, yet often find myself playing them far less than I’d prefer. The gameplay just rarely hooks me long term, so I drift back to Diablo.

Earlier this year, during one of Diablo 4’s more challenging patches since its launch, Last Epoch 1.0 came out. It was decent. It functioned well, though it was clear the spotlight was on an endgame that didn’t capture my interest enough for me to stick around. Its attempts to cater to its hardcore fanbase with new systems and problem-solving measures often seemed to address issues I didn’t even notice. Ultimately, it held the interest of its most loyal players, while the rest moved on.

And thus, Diablo 4 managed to keep its crown, bolstered by Blizzard’s continued efforts, as a favorite within the ARPG niche. However, Path of Exile 2 is now on the horizon, ready to shake things up.

I’ll be honest, the original Path of Exile never seemed like it could seriously challenge Diablo. Suggesting it might siphon off Blizzard’s vast casual fan base felt as outlandish as a thumbnail on YouTube pronouncing Call of Duty dead because of Arma.

Despite this, Path of Exile has been surprisingly resilient, so every year or so I’d reinstall it, knock around for a handful of hours, and then bow out. I could accept its cramped inventory, the massive passive skill tree, its byzantine gem system, and its method of handling item identification, but the combat’s lack of fluidity always turned me off.

Grinding Gear Games, the developer, acknowledged this Achilles heel and tried to fix it some years back, which drew me back in, albeit briefly.

I haven’t had the chance to dive into even a minute of Path of Exile 2 yet, but all the previews and snippets about its release suggest GGG is finally targeting the Diablo market — gamers who crave satisfying action, a good bit of loot, and high-quality productions.

With my avid ARPG gaming, I tend to notice details like character movement, attack animations, and the weight of combat more than I suspect most others do. It’s these areas in particular where I spot significant strides forward; in my view, the mechanics are edging closer than ever to the seamless combat flow found in Diablo, specifically Diablo 4’s fluidity.

I get that Path of Exile 2 is going to be far more intricate than Diablo 4. The developers recently spent over an hour unpacking features and systems primarily built for the endgame, even though only a sliver of the core campaign will be available upon launch. While it’s likely to be more approachable, it wouldn’t be wise for GGG to forsake the loyal fans who stood by it.

There are still presentation-related quirks in the sequel that I’ve had issues with, and I know there’ll be aspects of Diablo 4 I’ll miss in PoE2 that probably won’t find a parallel. The difference now, however, is I’m genuinely eager to jump in; to guide my character, explore the world, and savor that satisfying combat impact. Whether that will be enough for me to overlook the complexities remains uncertain.

Putting aside my personal take on the subtleties of combat, it’s hard not to see Path of Exile 2’s impending release as a testament to the genre’s vitality. We’ve moved past the notion of Game X existing solely to dethrone Game Y. I actually hope both can thrive simultaneously; there’s room for more games out there. On the down-low, though, I do worry about turning into one of those hardcore PoE fans ready to go on a rant whenever a casual observer takes a jab at something in their cherished game. The kind of rant that usually kicks off with, “No, you don’t understand.”

Mark your calendars, as Path of Exile 2 is slated for release on December 6 on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.