Path of Exile
" Deep action RPG with limitless skill customization and free-to-play fairness but steep learning curve "
Path of Exile Review
Path of Exile (PoE) is a free-to-play action RPG that has earned widespread acclaim for its depth, complexity, and generous content offerings. Players praise its expansive skill tree, innovative gem-based skill system, and extensive character customization, which provide nearly limitless build possibilities. The game features a dark, gritty world with a compelling story and atmospheric design, appealing to fans of classic ARPGs like Diablo II. Regular free expansions, seasonal leagues, and a thriving online economy keep gameplay fresh and engaging. The developers, Grinding Gear Games, are lauded for their active community engagement and consistent content updates.
While the game boasts impressive replayability and a strong endgame, it is known for its steep learning curve and initial complexity, which can be daunting for newcomers. The gameplay loop involves grinding and trading, with some players noting repetitiveness and a somewhat unfriendly social environment. Performance issues and a complicated trading system are also mentioned. Nevertheless, the game's fair monetization, focusing on cosmetics and stash tabs, and the absence of pay-to-win elements make it highly recommended for ARPG enthusiasts.
Highlights
Players highly appreciate the deep and varied skill system that allows for creative character builds. The dark and immersive atmosphere with a strong storyline and lore enriches the experience. The innovative gem skill mechanics and extensive passive skill tree provide unmatched customization. The game’s free-to-play model with cosmetic microtransactions only is praised, alongside a vibrant community and consistent developer support. The endgame content and seasonal leagues offer ongoing challenges and replayability.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the steep learning curve and overwhelming complexity for new players, which can hinder initial enjoyment. The repetitive nature of early acts and grinding is noted, as well as the lack of a streamlined trading system, making item acquisition tedious. Some players report performance issues and optimization problems, especially on lower-end hardware. The social aspect is sometimes described as unfriendly or toxic. Additionally, the visual effects can be overwhelming in multiplayer and the loot system can feel like a grind for valuable items.
Pros
- • Extensive and deep skill tree offers limitless character customization options.
- • Innovative gem-based skill system allows unique active skill combinations.
- • Dark, immersive world with compelling story and atmospheric design.
- • Completely free to play with no pay-to-win mechanics.
- • Regular free expansions and seasonal leagues keep content fresh.
- • Thriving online economy and player-driven trading system.
- • Developers actively engage with community and provide consistent updates.
Cons
- • Steep learning curve and complex mechanics can overwhelm new players.
- • Repetitive grinding through acts and difficulty tiers before expansion.
- • Trading system is cumbersome and relies heavily on external tools.
- • Performance issues and poor optimization affect lower-end PCs.
- • Visual effects can be chaotic and hinder clarity in group play.
- • Social community can be unfriendly or toxic at times.
- • Loot system involves excessive junk and rare valuable drops.
Rating Criteria
About This Game
You are an Exile, struggling to survive on the dark continent of Wraeclast, as you fight to earn power that will allow you to exact your revenge against those who wronged you. Created by hardcore gamers, Path of Exile is an online Action RPG set in a dark fantasy world. With a focus on visceral action combat, powerful items and deep character customization, Path of Exile is completely free and will never be pay-to-win.
Key Features
- Freedom. Power. Revenge.
Path of Exile is an online Action RPG designed around a strong online item economy and deep character customisation.
Path of Exile is set in the dark fantasy world of Wraeclast. Scarred by mysterious catastrophes of the past and inhabited by creatures of nightmare, the very environment challenges exiles who dare explore it. You play as the Duelist, Witch, Ranger, Templar, Marauder, Shadow or the Scion class. From forsaken shores through to the city of Oriath, explore Wraeclast and uncover the ancient secrets waiting for you. - Unlimited Character Customization
Create and customise hundreds of unique skill combinations from tradable itemised gems and our gigantic Passive Skill Tree. Combine skill gems, support gems and trigger gems to create your own unique combination of power, defence and destruction.
All of Path of Exile's character classes share its vast Passive Skill Tree. Starting at one of seven distinct locations dictated by their chosen class, players can focus on the core specialities of their class or travel across the tree to build complex combinations of skills from various disciplines. Scattered across the tree are Keystone passives, Masteries and Jewel Sockets that drastically alter the way a character is played.
- Armed to Kill
Path of Exile is completely designed around items. Our flasks are persistent items that have mods. Our endgame areas can be found as Map items that have mods altering their challenges and rewards. We've gone as far as removing gold as a currency and basing our trade economy around orbs that can randomly reroll the properties of other items. We have carefully constructed our item system for veterans of the best Action RPGs. - Explore the Atlas of Worlds
The Atlas of Worlds is a series of more than a hundred high-level maps that truly test the limits of your build. As you explore the Atlas, you will eventually unveil its dark secrets and face the most dangerous bosses that Wraeclast has ever seen.
In the true Path of Exile way, the Atlas of Worlds has its own Passive Skill Tree. Earn skill points for the Tree by completing maps on the Atlas and create your own unique endgame experience. - Deadly Missions
In your journey through Wraeclast, you will meet fellow Exiles who seek your help. Capture wild beasts for Einhar, delve into the depths of the Azurite Mine with Niko, explore the secrets of the Temple of Atzoatl with Alva or investigate a mysterious Immortal Syndicate with Jun. Once received, these missions can be completed at any time in the endgame. This optional content in Path of Exile will reward you with valuable currency, powerful tradeable items and new ways of crafting. - Customise Your Hideout
In your extensive travels throughout the Acts and the Atlas of Worlds, you will discover secret locations swarmed with dangerous monsters. Defeat them, claim the Hideout for yourself and create your own personalised town. Use your Hideout as a quiet place to trade with other Exiles, craft after battle, or expand it and use it as a personalised Guild Hall with hundreds of decorations.
- Be Ruthless
Ruthless is an optional game mode which offers a more challenging way to play Path of Exile. Ruthless players can expect extreme item scarcity, limited crafting and many other changes such as support gems being drop-only. Ruthless is a mode about friction, tension and anticipation. It's much more difficult, but overcoming that difficulty feels highly rewarding. In a world where your items are far below par, every item drop has the potential to be the breakthrough one you need. - Fair-To-Play. Never Pay-To-Win.
We're committed to creating a fair playing field for all players. All Microtransactions in Path of Exile are purely cosmetic and do not affect gameplay.
9 – Gamespot
“Path of Exile was a great game in 2013, but a slew of free expansions have only made it better. It’s one of the best ARPGs out there, and absolutely the best value.”
9 – PC Gamer (2018)
You are an Exile, struggling to survive on the dark continent of Wraeclast, as you fight to earn power that will allow you to exact your revenge against those who wronged you. Path of Exile is an online Action RPG set in a dark fantasy world. The game is completely free and will never be pay-to-win.
