I’m writing this review while my Monk has just hit level 30, and I have to say: Path of Exile 2 is nothing short of breathtaking. Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has created a game that gets so many things right, it’s hard not to be impressed. Of course, there are a few areas for improvement, but these critiques are on an extremely high level. Here’s my take on the first 15–20 hours of the game.

From the moment you launch the game, it’s evident that GGG poured their heart and soul into Path of Exile 2. The music perfectly captures the dark, gripping tone, and the graphics are simply stunning. Every area, every zone, and every enemy oozes atmosphere.

The user interface is clean and blends seamlessly into the experience without being intrusive. Effects and immersion are top-notch, drawing you completely into the haunting yet fascinating world of Wraeclast. The level of variety and the meticulously crafted environments set a new standard for ARPGs.

I haven’t experienced pacing this perfect since Diablo 2. Combat is dynamic, every monster pack feels meaningful, and you never feel like you’re rushing through the game. The pacing strikes a sublime balance between challenge and reward, creating an ARPG experience that’s both engaging and satisfying. It’s a dream for fans who appreciate well-thought-out progression.

Loot in Path of Exile 2 is brilliantly balanced. You’re not drowning in pointless items, which makes every drop feel significant. Even blue (magic) items are exciting because of how useful they can be. GGG has managed to recapture the magic of Diablo 2’s loot system while refining it for a modern audience.

The variety of ways to acquire gear—through the vendor system, crafting, loot, and trading—makes it all the more rewarding. It’s an addictive loop that keeps you coming back for more.

The difficulty isn’t perfectly tuned for every encounter yet, but overall, it’s fantastic. Progressing through the zones requires skill, a bit of luck, and perseverance, but that’s what makes it so satisfying.

GGG has struck a delicate balance, targeting an audience that’s neither the casual players of Diablo 4 nor the fast-paced, high-complexity enthusiasts of Path of Exile 1. This middle ground is exactly what ARPG fans have been waiting for.

The boss fights are nothing short of phenomenal. They’re challenging, diverse, and an absolute highlight of the game. Each boss feels unique and demands strategic thinking. These aren’t just damage sponges; they’re genuine tests of skill and adaptability.

My time with the Monk has been nothing short of extraordinary. The class design is an absolute masterpiece. The combos are incredible, and the ability to weave skills together situationally elevates gameplay to a whole new level. I’ve never experienced such a versatile and exciting class in any ARPG. GGG has truly outdone themselves here.

Of course, there’s always room to grow. Here are a few areas where the game could shine even brighter:

Level Design: There are too many dead-end paths that lead to nothing meaningful. A few more lootable chests—or better rewards from the rare chests—would add more excitement to exploration.

Shortcuts: Adding destructible walls or hidden pathways could make the level design more dynamic and rewarding.

Environmental Destruction/Interaction: Small environmental details like breaking gravestones, smashing pumpkins, or knocking over columns during combat would add to the immersion. Even something as simple as squashing bugs or disturbing small critters when walking through an area would enhance the atmosphere (and no, I’m not a psycho!).

Please, Grinding Gear Games: don’t overcorrect based on early feedback. Many players who complain aren’t familiar with the more deliberate pacing and challenge of games like Diablo 2. They’re accustomed to the more casual experience of Diablo 4 or the fast-paced, high-complexity meta of Path of Exile 1.

PoE2 doesn’t need to cater to the same audience as PoE1 —after all, PoE1 will continue to be developed for that player base. Keep the difficulty, pacing, and loot balance as they are. They’re perfect for the audience seeking a deep and rewarding ARPG experience.

After 15–20 hours, Path of Exile 2 has completely captivated me. It combines the best elements of classic ARPGs with modern innovations and unparalleled atmosphere. Yes, there are minor shortcomings, but they pale in comparison to the brilliance of the overall experience.

I can’t wait to dive into the endgame and will likely expand this review once I’ve seen all that the game has to offer. Until then, thank you, GGG, for crafting this incredible journey.

For anyone who loved Diablo 2 and is looking for their next challenge: Path of Exile 2 is an absolute must-play. See you in Wraeclast!

[h1] Path of Exile 2 – A Masterpiece in the Making [/h1] I’m writing this review while my Monk has just hit level 30, and I have to say: [i] Path of Exile 2 [/i] is nothing short of breathtaking. Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has created a game that gets so many things right, it’s hard not to be impressed. Of course, there are a few areas for improvement, but these critiques are on an extremely high level. Here’s my take on the first 15–20 hours of the game. [h2] Music, Graphics, and Atmosphere – A Feast for the Senses [/h2] From the moment you launch the game, it’s evident that GGG poured their heart and soul into [i] Path of Exile 2[/i]. The music perfectly captures the dark, gripping tone, and the graphics are simply stunning. Every area, every zone, and every enemy oozes atmosphere. The user interface is clean and blends seamlessly into the experience without being intrusive. Effects and immersion are top-notch, drawing you completely into the haunting yet fascinating world of Wraeclast. The level of variety and the meticulously crafted environments set a new standard for ARPGs. [h2] Game Pacing – A Masterclass [/h2] I haven’t experienced pacing this perfect since [i] Diablo 2[/i]. Combat is dynamic, every monster pack feels meaningful, and you never feel like you’re rushing through the game. The pacing strikes a sublime balance between challenge and reward, creating an ARPG experience that’s both engaging and satisfying. It’s a dream for fans who appreciate well-thought-out progression. [h2] Addictive Loot System – The Perfect Balance [/h2] Loot in [i] Path of Exile 2 [/i] is brilliantly balanced. You’re not drowning in pointless items, which makes every drop feel significant. Even blue (magic) items are exciting because of how useful they can be. GGG has managed to recapture the magic of [i] Diablo 2’s [/i] loot system while refining it for a modern audience. The variety of ways to acquire gear—through the vendor system, crafting, loot, and trading—makes it all the more rewarding. It’s an addictive loop that keeps you coming back for more. [h2] Difficulty – Challenging but Fair [/h2] The difficulty isn’t perfectly tuned for every encounter yet, but overall, it’s fantastic. Progressing through the zones requires skill, a bit of luck, and perseverance, but that’s what makes it so satisfying. GGG has struck a delicate balance, targeting an audience that’s neither the casual players of [i] Diablo 4 [/i] nor the fast-paced, high-complexity enthusiasts of [i] Path of Exile 1[/i]. This middle ground is exactly what ARPG fans have been waiting for. [h2] Boss Fights – Pure Adrenaline [/h2] The boss fights are nothing short of phenomenal. They’re challenging, diverse, and an absolute highlight of the game. Each boss feels unique and demands strategic thinking. These aren’t just damage sponges; they’re genuine tests of skill and adaptability. [h2] The Monk – A Revelation [/h2] My time with the Monk has been nothing short of extraordinary. The class design is an absolute masterpiece. The combos are incredible, and the ability to weave skills together situationally elevates gameplay to a whole new level. I’ve never experienced such a versatile and exciting class in any ARPG. GGG has truly outdone themselves here. [h2] Room for Improvement – High-Level Feedback [/h2] Of course, there’s always room to grow. Here are a few areas where the game could shine even brighter: [b] Level Design: [/b] There are too many dead-end paths that lead to nothing meaningful. A few more lootable chests—or better rewards from the rare chests—would add more excitement to exploration. [b] Shortcuts: [/b] Adding destructible walls or hidden pathways could make the level design more dynamic and rewarding. [b] Environmental Destruction/Interaction: [/b] Small environmental details like breaking gravestones, smashing pumpkins, or knocking over columns during combat would add to the immersion. Even something as simple as squashing bugs or disturbing small critters when walking through an area would enhance the atmosphere (and no, I’m not a psycho!). [h3] A Plea to GGG [/h3] Please, Grinding Gear Games: don’t overcorrect based on early feedback. Many players who complain aren’t familiar with the more deliberate pacing and challenge of games like [i] Diablo 2[/i]. They’re accustomed to the more casual experience of [i] Diablo 4 [/i] or the fast-paced, high-complexity meta of [i] Path of Exile 1[/i]. [i] PoE2 [/i] doesn’t need to cater to the same audience as [i] PoE1 [/i] —after all, [i] PoE1 [/i] will continue to be developed for that player base. Keep the difficulty, pacing, and loot balance as they are. They’re perfect for the audience seeking a deep and rewarding ARPG experience. [h2] [u] Conclusion [/u] [/h2] After 15–20 hours, [i] Path of Exile 2 [/i] has completely captivated me. It combines the best elements of classic ARPGs with modern innovations and unparalleled atmosphere. Yes, there are minor shortcomings, but they pale in comparison to the brilliance of the overall experience. I can’t wait to dive into the endgame and will likely expand this review once I’ve seen all that the game has to offer. Until then, thank you, GGG, for crafting this incredible journey. For anyone who loved [i] Diablo 2 [/i] and is looking for their next challenge: [i] Path of Exile 2 [/i] is an absolute must-play. See you in Wraeclast!