As a devoted player of the Diablo franchise, I never anticipated spending so much time with Path of Exile 2 before its Early Access debut. In just a few weeks, I've clocked over 150 hours in the unfinished sequel, which is already more than I've played Path of Exile 1 in the past decade.

Having invested thousands of hours across Diablo 2, 3, and 4, I decided to share my thoughts on PoE2 from a Diablo-centric perspective. While the recent games in the Diablo series are often criticized for being more casual and mainstream compared to the hardcore experience of Diablo 2, Path of Exile remains true to its roots, aiming to replicate the essence of D2. Since its early access launch, PoE2 has managed to attract an astonishing concurrent player count ranging from 350,000 to 500,000 – a testament to its appeal.

One striking aspect of Path of Exile 2 is how faithfully it captures the spirit of Diablo 2, even as we approach 2024. Despite its 2013 release, the original game borrowed heavily from the nostalgic gameplay mechanics of Diablo 2, and the same can be said for the sequel. Although there are significant upgrades and improvements, the familiar feel is comforting. However, some design choices, such as limiting inventory space to just 5-6 gear slots, feel outdated and unnecessary.

The campaign is engaging, albeit featuring only half of the planned acts at this stage. The difficulty strikes a balance that neither feels overwhelming nor trivial, with bosses that provide a rewarding challenge. The narrative, like many in the ARPG genre, serves more as background than a driving force, but the vibrant environments and dynamic gameplay experiences make for an enjoyable adventure.

However, the Cruel difficulty tier seems to pose a dilemma. Mandatory progression through it resulted in a surprisingly easy experience, as players tend to be well-equipped by that point. Given that it's currently a necessity to reach the endgame, the situation feels oddly placed. It's worth noting that Cruel's existence may simply be a placeholder until the remaining acts are available.

The infamous skill tree of Path of Exile can initially seem overwhelming, but I actually appreciate its design. The intricate web of nodes allows players to carefully strategize their approach to damage and survivability, resulting in a more involved character build than seen in recent Diablo titles. Still, the meta is currently limited by a lack of diverse builds, an issue likely to evolve as more content is introduced.

The endgame setup in Path of Exile 2 is another strong point, featuring a sprawling map filled with upgradeable nodes and enticing modifiers. It's a refreshing alternative to the typical business of leveling up rift difficulties in Diablo. I particularly enjoy hunting for citadels and facing off against mighty pinnacle bosses scattered across the map.

However, the endgame's punishing mechanics are a significant drawback. A single death can reset your progress entirely, consuming your Waystone, erasing nearby modifiers, and even causing you to lose XP. This leads to frustrating situations where errors, often caused by environmental glitches or unexpected enemy attacks, can wipe out hours of effort.

Despite its current balance issues and unfinished state, Path of Exile 2 is a thrilling experience that keeps drawing me back for more – as evidenced by my 40-hour weekly playtime. Even as I approach what I assumed was the end of my testing phase, frequent patches and updates entice me to continue exploring all the game has to offer.

As we gear up for the new year, I'm excited to see how Path of Exile 2 evolves. If you're a fan of ARPGs, keep an eye on this title – it just might rekindle your love for the genre!