Path of Exile 2is Grinding Gear Games' upcoming sequel to the developer’s hit 2013 ARPG. While it was originally intended to be nothing more than a significant update to the first game, Grinding Gear opted to makePath of Exile 2a standalone sequelinstead. Judging by what it will be adding to the first game’s formula, with new classes like the Mercenary and Druid as well as some starkly different combat mechanics, “sequel” does seem like the most accurate term for it. The developer has been showcasing much ofPath of Exile 2’s gameplay since its announcement, but even more of the sequel was revealed at PlayStation’s recent State of Play event, including its early access release window.
Currently,Path of Exile 2is slated for a “late 2024” early access release, which could see it launched anytime between September and November. In the world of video games, it’s always important for developers to consider the timing of their releases, to avoid launching too close to other titles that could potentially overshadow them. Guerrilla Games’Horizonseries, for example, is notorious for sharing its release dates with other highly anticipated titles that only serve to hog the limelight. Now, it seemsPath of Exile 2might be making that same mistake with its release window, though it’s still possible things could swing either way.
Path of Exile 2 Faces Big Competition With Its Release Window
Diablo 4 Is Path of Exile 2’s Biggest Competitor
In the world of top-down ARPGs,Diablo 4sits comfortably at the top. While it might have initially had a rough go of it for a while due to the pacing of its story and its controversial quality-of-life features, it has more recently been on a winning streak withDiablo 4’s fourth season, Loot Reborn.
Loot Reborn essentially replacedDiablo 4’s seasonal modelwith a renewed emphasis on reworking the game’s loot, and it has largely paid off. Players who once leftDiablo 4in its earliest stages have now returned to it, making it more successful than ever. Unfortunately, this means that whilePath of Exile 2might have had a better chance at standing up toDiablo 4during its weaker moments, it now faces a much more formidable foe. To make matters worse,Diablo 4still has a major content drop ahead of it that could all but pushPath of Exile 2clean off the stage.
Diablo 4’s Vessel of Hatred Expansion Also Launches in Late 2024
Path of Exile 2is currently slated for a “late 2024” early access release, butDiablo 4’s upcoming Vessel of Hatred expansion is also launching in late 2024—specifically, it launches on October 8. While both of these releases could be in entirely different months, it still doesn’t bode well forPath of Exile 2.Diablo 4’s Vessel of Hatred expansion is a highly anticipated addition to the base game, as it will introduce a new region and a new class, along with several class changes. As such,Path of Exile 2’s late 2024 release window may put it at risk of being overshadowed by one of thebest top-down ARPGsavailable.
It’s likely too late forPath of Exile 2to update its release window so that it avoids competing withDiablo 4’s Vessel of Hatredlaunch. In spite of that,Path of Exile 2could still shine regardless, especially depending on how many formerDiablo 4players who left the game some time ago have no intentions of returning to it anytime soon.
Path of Exile II
WHERE TO PLAY
Path of Exile 2 is a next generation free-to-play Action RPG created by Grinding Gear Games. Journey across the deadly continent of Wraeclast, meeting multiple immersive cultures while facing off against evil in many forms. Path of Exile 2 features twelve character classes, 240 Skill Gems, hundreds of equipment base types, a six-act campaign, more than a hundred unique boss fights, a deep endgame system and so much more. Play with your friends without losing any progress with couch co-op, cross-play and cross-progression.
