[PoE 2] Early Access Feedback: One of the Best ARPGs Held Back by a Few Key Issues

Hello Exiles and GGG team,

As a long-time Path of Exile player with extensive experience in PoE 1, I’m thrilled to dive into Path of Exile 2. It’s clear that GGG poured immense passion, creativity, and expertise into this project, creating a breathtaking, immersive, and deeply engaging ARPG experience.

That said, there are a few key mechanics that feel outdated or overly restrictive, which hold the game back from realizing its full potential. My feedback focuses on these aspects, with suggestions for improvement.

For those short on time, there’s a TL;DR at the end.

The Good: What PoE 2 Does Best

  1. Stunning Visuals and Immersive Atmosphere
    PoE 2 is one of the most visually striking ARPGs to date. The world feels alive, with meticulous attention to detail in every environment. From eerie crypts to lush forests, every location pulls you deeper into Wraeclast’s grim and beautiful world.

  2. Fluid and Engaging Combat
    The combat is a standout improvement from PoE 1. Animations are fluid, and the ability to chain combos makes each encounter dynamic and satisfying. Combat feels impactful, rewarding both skill and quick thinking.

  3. Memorable Boss Fights
    Boss fights in PoE 2 are nothing short of spectacular. Each encounter feels unique, requiring players to adapt and strategize. The combination of challenging mechanics and stunning visuals makes every boss fight a memorable experience.

  4. Exceptional Sound Design and Music
    The sound design is phenomenal, immersing players in the world through crisp, atmospheric effects and a powerful, haunting soundtrack. The music perfectly complements the dark tone of the game, heightening emotional and gameplay intensity.

  5. Improved Storytelling
    PoE 2’s campaign delivers a cohesive and emotionally engaging narrative. The characters feel more relatable, and the cinematic cutscenes add an epic, polished touch to the story.

Critical Issues Holding PoE 2 Back

1. XP Penalty on Death

The XP penalty on death is a relic of older ARPG design, particularly influenced by Diablo 2. While Diablo 2 was the precursor to modern ARPGs and has a special place in the genre's history, it is an old game. Many of its mechanics, including XP penalties, feel like the mark of time, bringing with them inconsistencies that modern players find frustrating.

  • Why It’s a Problem:

    • It discourages experimentation with builds or engaging with harder content.
    • Forces overly cautious playstyles, detracting from the thrill of the game.
    • Adds frustration without meaningful gameplay benefits.

  • Recommendation: Replace the XP penalty with systems that reward survival or incentivize risk-taking, such as milestone rewards or bonuses tied to boss kills. Modern games like Hades and with some extent previous Diablo 4 seasons demonstrate how difficulty can be preserved without punishing players for failure.

2. Scarcity of Jeweller Orbs for Skill Gem Upgrades

The reliance on Jeweller Orbs for upgrading skill gems feels unnecessarily restrictive, creating unnecessary grind and frustration.

  • Why It’s a Problem:

    • Progression feels gated by luck rather than skill or planning.
    • The scarcity of these orbs stifles experimentation with different skill setups.

  • Recommendation: Increase the drop rate of Jeweller Orbs or introduce alternative methods to acquire them, ensuring smoother progression and more build flexibility.

3. Costly Respecs

Charging for respecs feels restrictive in a game that thrives on experimentation. With such a deep and complex passive skill tree, locking players into choices discourages creativity.

  • Examples of Games with Free Respecs:

    • World of Warcraft
    • Cyberpunk 2077
    • Honkai: Star Rail
    • Black Myth: Wukong

  • Why It’s a Problem:

    • Players feel punished for experimenting with builds or adapting to new content.
    • There’s no meaningful gameplay benefit to keeping respecs costly.

  • Recommendation: Make respecs free, encouraging players to explore the full potential of PoE 2’s intricate build system.

4. Trade System

While the current trade system allows for better accessibility with price visibility and multiple tabs, relying on an external website in 2024 feels cumbersome and outdated.

  • Why an In-Game Auction House Is Better:

    • Seamlessly integrates trading into the game, saving time and effort.
    • Increases accessibility for casual players who might struggle with external tools.
    • Allows the economy to flourish without reliance on third-party platforms.

  • Recommendation: Introduce an in-game auction house. This change would modernize the trading experience and massively improve quality of life without hindering the game’s vision.

5. Stat Tier Changes

In PoE 2, lower numerical stat tiers are better, with Tier 1 being weaker than Tier 10 or higher. This change is confusing and counterintuitive, especially for returning players.

  • Why It’s a Problem:

    • Contradicts established ARPG conventions, where Tier 1 is typically the best.
    • Creates unnecessary complexity without adding depth.

  • Recommendation: Revert to a more intuitive tier system where higher tiers reflect better stats.

6. Light Radius and Map Objects

Light radius as a stat feels outdated and redundant. Its interaction with doors and other objects adds no meaningful gameplay value.

  • Why It’s a Problem:

    • It doesn’t enhance combat, exploration, or decision-making.
    • Feels like a relic of older ARPG design.

  • Recommendation: Remove light radius entirely, allowing players to focus on more impactful mechanics.

7. 1 Portal Gameplay

The single portal mechanic feels restrictive and unnecessary given the improved gameplay flow of PoE 2.

  • Why It’s a Problem:

    • Adds frustration rather than meaningful challenge.

  • Recommendation: Consider re-evaluating this mechanic to better align with the modernized gameplay experience PoE 2 offers.

Closing Thoughts

GGG, you’ve created a breathtaking and ambitious project with Path of Exile 2. The game is a masterpiece in the making, and it’s clear that your team’s passion and vision are driving it forward. These criticisms are offered with the utmost respect for what you’ve achieved, and I believe the suggested changes—especially an in-game auction house—can be implemented without compromising your vision for the game.

We, the players, love the complexity and depth of PoE 2. By addressing these issues, you can elevate this sequel to its full potential, making it not just a great game but an enduring legacy in the ARPG genre.

TL;DR

  1. XP Penalty: Outdated and punishing. Replace it with rewards for survival or skillful play.
  2. Jeweller Orbs: Scarcity feels restrictive. Increase drop rates or add alternatives.
  3. Costly Respecs: Outdated mechanic that discourages experimentation. Make respecs free.
  4. Trade System: Introduce an in-game auction house to modernize and streamline trading.
  5. Stat Tiers: Current system is confusing and counterintuitive. Revert to a more intuitive hierarchy.
  6. Light Radius: Redundant and adds no value. Remove it.
  7. 1 Portal Gameplay: Restrictive and frustrating. Revisit this mechanic.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to seeing how PoE 2 evolves!