When Grinding Gear Games made the announcement Path of Exile 2 (PoE2) wasn’t just about continuing the series. The idea was to introduce radical changes that would fundamentally change the way players would engage with the sequel to one of the most influential ARPGs in gaming.
One of the biggest and most defining changes? Approach to difficulties. From a slower Souls-style campaign to a very punishing endgame, this is a scorching topic in the community. So let’s talk about it: Is the difficulty a little too much, or is this what the franchise needed to evolve?
Path of Exile 2 – Prepare to Die Edition
If you played the campaign in PoE2you’ve probably noticed that it has some grave Souls vibes. It’s slower, more deliberate and really forces you to think about how you play. Unlike the original The road of exilewhere you could just drive over and bomb everything in sight, PoE2 wants you to snail-paced down, take your time, and actually strategize.
Boss fights are no longer just about larger enemies with special names. It’s not just about how much damage you can do. You have to observe, learn patterns, and adapt, or you’ll end up dead. It’s a breath of fresh air for someone like me who loves a good challenge, and if you enjoy the thrill of overcoming complex fights, you’ll probably love this change.
Campaign in Path of Exile 1 it was not memorable for its history nor did it take part in any fighting. The community treated it as a stepping stone in character development, allowing them to reach the “Endgame” as quickly as possible. Although I have no doubt that this scenario will repeat itself Path of Exile 2at least the slower pace and more methodical combat will make you think about what you’re doing; what you’re up against, allowing you to have a more unforgettable experience. For this reason, I applaud Grinding Gear Games for taking up the game PoE2 up to this point.
High stakes in endgame mapping
Now let’s talk about the end game, where things get really… intense. Mapping in PoE2 is not just about removing enemies. Every run feels like you’re risking your progress. Will you die? You lose the map, 10-15% of your XP and any resources you put into it. Ouch. Not entirely forgiving, but not completely alien to those who played the previous title.
And then there are the Way Stones. These things are crucial to maintaining mapping progress, but there aren’t many of them. If you’re on a bad streak, you can be completely dropped from the maps in your level, which means starting from scratch. It’s brutal, there’s no doubt about it. Some people think it’s way too much of a tax, but I think it’s fine… or at least that’s the assumption.
But here’s the thing: I think this tension is kind of the point. Knowing that each run can make or break your progress adds to that advantage PoE1 I just didn’t have it. When you succeed, you will feel amazing. But yes, the penalties might be a little too harsh now. Perhaps reducing XP loss or making Waystones easier to obtain would support without completely removing the tension.
That said, I support the direction Grinding Gear Games is heading. They’re clearly trying to make the endgame progress make sense, and I respect that. Better than feeling like nothing is at risk, right?
A challenge to be sure
Now that everything is known, the question remains: whether Path of Exile 2 Honestly, too complex? I don’t think so. The slower pace of the campaign is a great change of scenery from the game’s predecessor’s nearly decade of lightning-fast screens. The high stakes of the mapping give “Endgame” a sense of weight and menace.
Every move you make on the Atlas Map must be deliberate, otherwise you’ll be earning progress in the form of Waystones rather than experience points credited to your name. Sure, it’s not for everyone and some tweaks and balance changes may be needed, but overall I enjoy the challenge. I like that I have to apply my brain for more than just building character.
That said, I understand why some players might feel overwhelmed. If you are used to speed and efficiency Path of Exile 1or you’re completely modern to the series, the modern, methodical pace and harsher punishments may feel like a punch in the gut. The thing is, however, that such matches are supposed to motivate us. When you beat a brutal boss fight or finally beat a complex map, the feeling of accomplishment is unparalleled, even if it doesn’t seem like it at first.
I don’t think the real question is if Path of Exile 2 is too complex, but are you ready to take the challenge. For me, the tension and stakes make every victory sweeter. Could this be adjusted a bit? Aren’t things a bit over the top (probably an understatement)? Bright. But do I think difficulty is fundamentally the problem? Not at all. Grinding Gear Games walks a fine line between frustration and satisfaction, and while they may have to adjust here and there, they’ve really hit on something great. Lightning in a bottle.
If you want to focus on the difficulty level and adjust your play style, Path of Exile 2 offers a satisfying experience that few games can match. And honestly, isn’t that what a game like this is all about? To test your limits and see how far you can go? For me the answer is clear: give it up, rotting warts and all.
