Path of Exile 2 Emerges as Diablo 4’s First True Rival, Arriving at the Perfect Time for Blizzard’s Game

Diablo 4 has been out for over a year now, and since its release in June 2023, Blizzard has made a series of significant updates. They’ve revamped the game’s itemization, leveled-up the gaming experience, introduced new difficulty options, and given the endgame a massive overhaul.

Over this period, the game received a full expansion, six seasons, and numerous updates that tackled just about every issue players had. Fast forward to late 2024, and you might not even recognize it as the same game from the previous summer. Despite that, I’ve always had a soft spot for Diablo 4, even in its heavily criticized launch state. It retained those core elements that kept me hooked on ARPGs.

But now, it might be time for Diablo 4 to step aside, with Path of Exile 2 looking like a formidable contender to capture that casual audience that Diablo 4 has held onto so tightly.

I’ve always been drawn to isometric, loot-centric ARPGs, with their dark tales of world-ending events and corrupted beliefs. I track them as they’re announced, yet often find myself drifting back to Diablo after a short stint because other games just don’t hold my attention in the same way.

Earlier this year, when Diablo 4 was going through a particularly challenging period, Last Epoch officially launched its version 1.0. It was alright—good enough in some aspects. However, it seemed to cater primarily to its hardcore fan base, creating systems and addressing issues that might not have been apparent to the average player. It came and went, keeping only its most devoted fans engaged.

This left Diablo 4 comfortably atop the ARPG throne, bolstered by Blizzard’s hard work. But that comfort might soon be shaken with the upcoming release of Path of Exile 2.

Originally, I never perceived the first Path of Exile as a genuine competitor to Diablo. The idea of it tapping into Diablo’s vast, casual player base seemed far-fetched—like suggesting Arma would dethrone Call of Duty. Still, Path of Exile has been one of the more resilient titles in the genre. Every so often, I’d give it another shot, investing several hours before ultimately moving on. I could deal with its fiddly inventory system, the sprawling passive skill tree, and complex gem mechanics, but the combat always felt unrefined and lacking.

Even Grinding Gear Games, the developer, recognized this issue and tried to address it years ago, prompting me to give the game another shot—but again, I moved on soon after.

I haven’t had a chance to try Path of Exile 2 yet, but from all the previews and discussions, it’s evident that Grinding Gear Games is making an earnest attempt to appeal to the Diablo crowd. They’re targeting gamers who enjoy a satisfying combat experience, a splash of loot, and the high production values typical of big releases.

As an avid ARPG player, I’ve grown attuned to the nuances of character movement, the pacing of attacks, and the overall feel of combat, perhaps more so than the average player. This is where Path of Exile 2 seems to shine, aligning more closely with the fluid combat style of Diablo, especially Diablo 4.

Path of Exile 2 is bound to remain more intricate than Diablo 4. The developers recently held an extensive session outlining the new game features, most of which focus on the endgame despite the early access launch having just a slice of the main campaign. While the new iteration seems more approachable, it would be unwise for Grinding Gear Games to abandon their core fan base.

Some of the presentation issues from the original Path of Exile still linger, and I might find myself missing certain Diablo 4 features when diving into Path of Exile 2. Yet, this time, there’s genuine excitement about playing it—navigating the world, engaging in combat, feeling the impact of each move. Who knows if that enthusiasm will outweigh the game’s complexities?

Setting aside my thoughts on combat intricacies, the arrival of Path of Exile 2 highlights the enduring popularity of the ARPG subgenre. It’s not about one game existing to eliminate another anymore. I welcome this coexistence and have room in my gaming sphere for multiple titles. Still, I do worry about becoming so engrossed in Path of Exile 2 that I turn into one of those die-hard fans—quick to defend it whenever someone criticizes, often starting with, “You just don’t get it.”

Path of Exile 2 is set to launch on December 6 for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.