As a Diablo fan, I’m rooting for the success of its strongest competitor: Path of Exile 2

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As a seasoned ARPG enthusiast with countless hours spent slaying demons and crafting builds in both Diablo and Path of Exile, I find myself at the precipice of an exciting new chapter in the annals of our beloved genre. The imminent release of Path of Exile 2 has stirred a palpable sense of anticipation within the community, and for good reason.

On December 6th, Path of Exile 2 starts its ‘Early Access’ phase, following a short postponement, and there’s an electric atmosphere among fans of isometric action RPGs. As a devoted Diablo fan, I can’t discuss the game online without encountering several enthusiasts of Path of Exile, predicting that its release marks the downfall of Diablo 4. However, I don’t share their perspective. Instead, I view it as two fantastic games coexisting in the ARPG genre.

Indeed, I genuinely wish that Path of Exile 2 becomes as popular as its enthusiasts anticipate, and without a doubt, I plan to give it a spin myself.

Diablo 4 needs the competition to be better

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Currently, Diablo 4 stands as the leading game in the Action Role-Playing Game (ARPG) genre. While it might not be universally agreed as the best, there’s no denying its dominance in the ARPG market. Developed by Activision Blizzard, the game boasts a larger team and budget than many other isometric ARPGs like Path of Exile and Last Epoch, popular choices among ARPG enthusiasts this year.

2024 Update: It seems like the term “ARPG” is becoming quite diverse. Similar to “Souls-like” and “Rogue-like”, I’ve been thinking about using “Diablo-like” for games that follow the Diablo format…November 22, 2024

1) Relax everyone, Rod’s joining us in Path of Exile 2 as well! With its arrival, the rivalry between Path of Exile 2 and Diablo 4 will intensify, leading Blizzard to make Diablo 4 even better. This friendly competition is great for gamers since it pushes the genre to new heights. I’m really looking forward to watching these two titans go head-to-head and see how they develop!

I’ll always be loyal to the Diablo franchise but I’m looking forward to this fresh take

After years of playing ARPGs, I’ve realized something: I’m not an ARPG fan — I’m a Diablo fan.

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As a tech enthusiast and gamer, I’ve delved into various digital worlds, traversing the acts of Path of Exile more than once, but it’s Diablo that consistently beckons me back, season after season.

For me, it’s the lore and world-building that makes the difference. No amount of flashy skill trees or sprawling paragon boards can replicate the unique connection I feel to the Diablo universe.

That said, Diablo isn’t without its frustrations. I’ve already sunset my time in Season 6 because of the new Spiritborn class. It’s so overpowered that there’s no real incentive to start an alt as I’ve done in previous seasons.

But I’m fine with stepping away for now—I’ve been enjoying other games and am excited to dive into Path of Exile 2 tomorrow to take the Witch for a spin.

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One lingering issue for Diablo 4, however, is its monetization. While the in-game store is technically optional, it’s hard to ignore that the paid Battle Pass and store-exclusive gear are leaps and bounds above what’s earnable in-game. The World of Warcraft crossover cosmetics, for instance, showcase what’s possible—but instead of giving players a chance to earn these skins through gameplay, Blizzard locks them behind a paywall. I’m all for having premium cosmetic options, but I wish they’d be a bit more generous. Even just one earnable “premium-tier” skin per season would go a long way. Sure, it might not make immediate financial sense, but the goodwill it could generate with players would pay dividends—especially as Blizzard tries to recover from recent controversies like Overwatch 2’s troubled reception and that infamous $90 World of Warcraft mount (which, let’s be honest, everyone still bought).

Then there’s the mid-season content—or lack thereof. Diablo 4’s Meat or Treat activity was underwhelming, especially compared to the robust events we’ve seen in Diablo Immortal. Path of Exile also has its fair share of egregious microtransactions, but given that it’s free-to-play, those practices feel a bit easier to stomach. Path of Exile 2 will also ultimately be free-to-play, but you’ll need to purchase an Early Access supporters pack if you want to jump in on December 6.

My love for the Diablo franchise keeps me coming back, even when the game doesn’t get everything right. But as I step away for a bit to explore what Path of Exile 2 has to offer, I can’t help but hope Blizzard takes some more lessons from its competitors—to make Diablo 4 an even better experience for its fans. I’m already over the moon we are getting Witchcraft as a theme for Season 7, but I sincerely hope the class balancing and new armory keep me around that bit longer next season.

Is Path of Exile 2 too complicated?

One reason I’m eagerly anticipating Path of Exile 2 is because I believe it’s beneficial for the Action Role-Playing Game (ARPG) genre to have two games with significantly different levels of complexity existing side by side. The original Path of Exile didn’t quite resonate with me due to its immense depth and lack of user-friendliness. In contrast, Diablo made it easy to get a powerful build up and running swiftly, which I found enjoyable. Path of Exile, on the other hand, frequently felt overwhelming due to its endless customization and grind.

If it’s about competition, let us have competition.

I can’t believe I’m quoting Satya Nadella, but his words during the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard still resonate with me—especially whenever the “D4 BAD” crowd pops up in my social feeds.

The discussion shouldn’t be about Path of Exile 2 crushing Diablo 4 into oblivion. Instead, it should focus on what Diablo 4 can learn from Path of Exile 2’s success—if that’s how things unfold. With Path of Exile 2 currently topping the Steam charts, it’s shaping up to be an exciting few weeks for both Blizzard and Grinding Gear Games.

One thing is certain: this competition will ultimately benefit ARPG fans. Both games will push each other to evolve and innovate, meaning we, the players, are the real winners. It’s going to be a hell of a time for the genre, and for that, we should be thankful!

To play Path of Exile 2 during its Early Access starting December 6, you’ll first need to buy a Founders pack on the platform of your choice. The game can be found on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Steam, and Epic Games.

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2024-12-05 17:39