When Grinding Gear Games dropped the announcement for Path of Exile 2 (PoE2), it wasn’t just about continuing the series. It was about shaking things up in a big way, making changes that fundamentally alter the way players would engage with the sequel to one of gaming’s most impactful ARPGs.
One of the biggest, most defining changes? The approach toward difficulty. From the slower, Souls-like campaign to the highly punishing Endgame, this topic is a firey one for the community. So, let’s talk about it: is the difficulty a bit too much, or is it exactly what the franchise needed to evolve?
Path of Exile 2 – Prepare to Die Edition
If you’ve played the campaign in PoE2, you’ve probably noticed it’s got some serious Souls-like vibes. It’s slower, more deliberate, and really makes you think about how you’re playing. Unlike the original Path of Exile, where you could just speed through and nuke everything in sight, PoE2 wants you to slow down, take your time, and actually strategize.
Boss fights aren’t just scaled-up enemies with special names anymore. They’re not just about how much damage you can pump out. You’ve got to watch, learn patterns, and adapt, or else end up a corpse. It’s a breath of fresh air for someone like me who loves a good challenge, and if you enjoy the thrill of mastering tough encounters, you’ll probably love this shift.
The campaign in Path of Exile 1 wasn’t exactly memorable for its story, nor was it engaging in combat encounters. The community treated it as a character progression stepping stone for reaching the ‘Endgame’ as fast as possible. While I do not doubt that this scenario will be a recurrence in Path of Exile 2, at the very least, the slower pacing and more methodical combat will make you think about what you’re doing; what you’re up against, allowing for the potential for a more memorable experience. It is for this reason that I applaud Grinding Gear Games for taking the gameplay of PoE2 to this juncture.
The High Stakes of Endgame Mapping
Now, let’s talk about the Endgame, where things get really… intense. Mapping in PoE2 isn’t just about clearing enemies. Every run feels like you’re gambling with your progress. You die? You’re losing the map, 10-15% of your XP, and any resources you poured into it. Ouch. Not exactly forgiving, but not totally foreign to those who played the previous title.
And then there are the Waystones. These things are crucial for keeping your mapping progression going, but they’re not exactly plentiful. If you have a bad streak, you can find yourself completely out of maps at your level, which means starting over from scratch. It’s brutal, no doubt about it. Some think its far too much a tax, but I think it’s fine… or at least the idea of it is.
Here’s the thing, though: I think this tension is kind of the point. Knowing that every run could make or break your progress adds an edge that PoE1 just didn’t have. When you succeed, it feels amazing. But yeah, the penalties might be a little too harsh right now. Maybe dialing back the XP loss or making Waystones a bit easier to come by would help without totally removing the tension.
That said, I’m on board with the direction Grinding Gear Games is taking. They’re clearly trying to make endgame progression meaningful, and I respect that. It’s better than feeling like nothing’s at stake, right?
A Challenge To Be Sure
So, with everything out in the open, the question remains: is Path of Exile 2 honestly too hard? I don’t think so. The campaign’s slower pacing is a great change of scenery when compared to the near decade of instant-blasting screens in the game’s predecessor. The high stakes in mapping also give the game’s ‘Endgame’ a sense of weight, a sense of danger.
Every move you make on the Atlas Map must be deliberate, or else you’ll find yourself scrambling for Waystones to progress and not an experience point to your name. Sure, it’s not for everyone, and a few tweaks and balance changes might be needed, but overall, I’m loving the challenge. I love that I have to use my brain beyond just character-building.
That said, I get why some players might feel overwhelmed. If you’re used to the speed and efficiency of Path of Exile 1, or you’re new to the franchise entirely, this new methodical pacing and the heavier penalties can feel like a punch in the gut. But here’s the thing: games like this are supposed to push us. When you overcome a brutal boss fight or finally beat a tough map, the sense of accomplishment is unparalleled, even if it doesn’t feel like it initially.
I think the real question isn’t whether Path of Exile 2 is too hard, but whether you’re ready to embrace the challenge. For me, the tension and stakes make every victory sweeter. Could it be adjusted a little? Are things a tad overtuned (probably an understatement)? Sure. But do I think the difficulty is fundamentally a problem? Not at all. Grinding Gear Games is walking a fine line between frustrating and rewarding, and while they might need to adjust here and there, they’re really onto something great. Lightning in a Bottle.
If you’re willing to lean into the difficulty and adapt your playstyle, Path of Exile 2 offers a rewarding experience that few games can match. And honestly, isn’t that the point of a game like this? To test your limits and see how far you can go? For me, the answer is clear: bring it on, putrescent warts and all.
