Is Path of Exile 2 Actually Too Troublesome? – Destructoid Avid gamers Enviornment

When Grinding Gear Video games dropped the announcement for Path of Exile 2 (PoE2), it wasn’t nearly persevering with the collection. It was about shaking issues up in an enormous approach, making adjustments that basically alter the best way gamers would interact with the sequel to one in all gaming’s most impactful ARPGs.

One of many greatest, most defining adjustments? The strategy towards problem. From the slower, Souls-like marketing campaign to the extremely punishing Endgame, this subject is a firey one for the group. So, let’s speak about it: is the issue a bit an excessive amount of, or is it precisely what the franchise wanted to evolve?

Path of Exile 2 – Put together to Die Version

Should you’ve performed the marketing campaign in PoE2, you’ve most likely observed it’s obtained some critical Souls-like vibes. It’s slower, extra deliberate, and actually makes you consider the way you’re taking part in. In contrast to the unique Path of Exile, the place you could possibly simply pace via and nuke every thing in sight, PoE2 needs you to decelerate, take your time, and really strategize.

Boss fights aren’t simply scaled-up enemies with particular names anymore. They’re not nearly how a lot harm you possibly can pump out. You’ve obtained to look at, be taught patterns, and adapt, or else find yourself a corpse. It’s a breath of recent air for somebody like me who loves a great problem, and when you benefit from the thrill of mastering robust encounters, you’ll most likely love this shift.

The marketing campaign in Path of Exile 1 wasn’t precisely memorable for its story, nor was it partaking in fight encounters. The group handled it as a personality development stepping stone for reaching the ‘Endgame’ as quick as potential. Whereas I don’t doubt that this situation will probably be a recurrence in Path of Exile 2, on the very least, the slower pacing and extra methodical fight will make you consider what you’re doing; what you’re up towards, permitting for the potential for a extra memorable expertise. It is for that reason that I applaud Grinding Gear Video games for taking the gameplay of PoE2 to this juncture.

The Excessive Stakes of Endgame Mapping

Now, let’s discuss concerning the Endgame, the place issues get actually… intense. Mapping in PoE2 isn’t nearly clearing enemies. Each run feels such as you’re playing together with your progress. You die? You’re dropping the map, 10-15% of your XP, and any assets you poured into it. Ouch. Not precisely forgiving, however not completely international to those that performed the earlier title.

After which there are the Waystones. This stuff are essential for preserving your mapping development going, however they’re not precisely plentiful. You probably have a nasty streak, you’ll find your self utterly out of maps at your stage, which implies beginning over from scratch. It’s brutal, little doubt about it. Some suppose its far an excessive amount of a tax, however I feel it’s nice… or no less than the concept of it’s.

Right here’s the factor, although: I feel this pressure is type of the purpose. Understanding that each run may make or break your progress provides an edge that PoE1 simply didn’t have. Once you succeed, it feels wonderful. However yeah, the penalties is perhaps a bit of too harsh proper now. Possibly dialing again the XP loss or making Waystones a bit simpler to come back by would assist with out completely eradicating the strain.

That mentioned, I’m on board with the route Grinding Gear Video games is taking. They’re clearly attempting to make endgame development significant, and I respect that. It’s higher than feeling like nothing’s at stake, proper?

A Problem To Be Positive

So, with every thing out within the open, the query stays: is Path of Exile 2 truthfully too laborious? I don’t suppose so. The marketing campaign’s slower pacing is a superb change of surroundings when in comparison with the close to decade of instant-blasting screens within the sport’s predecessor. The excessive stakes in mapping additionally give the sport’s ‘Endgame’ a way of weight, a way of hazard.

Each transfer you make on the Atlas Map have to be deliberate, or else you’ll end up scrambling for Waystones to progress and never an expertise level to your title. Positive, it’s not for everybody, and some tweaks and stability adjustments is perhaps wanted, however total, I’m loving the problem. I like that I’ve to make use of my mind past simply character-building.

That mentioned, I get why some gamers would possibly really feel overwhelmed. Should you’re used to the pace and effectivity of Path of Exile 1, otherwise you’re new to the franchise solely, this new methodical pacing and the heavier penalties can really feel like a punch within the intestine. However right here’s the factor: video games like this are presupposed to push us. Once you overcome a brutal boss battle or lastly beat a tricky map, the sense of accomplishment is unparalleled, even when it doesn’t really feel prefer it initially.

I feel the actual query isn’t whether or not Path of Exile 2 is just too laborious, however whether or not you’re able to embrace the problem. For me, the strain and stakes make each victory sweeter. Might or not it’s adjusted a bit of? Are issues a tad overtuned (most likely an understatement)? Positive. However do I feel the issue is basically an issue? In no way. Grinding Gear Video games is strolling a nice line between irritating and rewarding, and whereas they could want to regulate right here and there, they’re actually onto one thing nice. Lightning in a Bottle.

Should you’re keen to lean into the issue and adapt your playstyle, Path of Exile 2 provides a rewarding expertise that few video games can match. And truthfully, isn’t that the purpose of a sport like this? To check your limits and see how far you possibly can go? For me, the reply is obvious: deliver it on, putrescent warts and all.