Path of Exile 2 Release Date and 10 Exciting Things About It

Updated:

05 Aug 2023

Path of Exile 2 Story

Path of Exile 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the action role-playing game Path of Exile. It takes place in the same dark and gritty world of Wraeclast but introduces a new seven-act storyline that runs parallel to the original game. Players can play through either the new storyline or the original Path of Exile campaign.

While the exact plot details of Path of Exile 2 have not been revealed, the developers have stated that the sequel will feature a new and immersive storyline that delves deeper into the history and lore of Wraeclast. It will introduce new characters, environments, and challenges for players to encounter.

The core themes of Path of Exile 2 are expected to revolve around the struggle for survival in a brutal and unforgiving world, the exploration of ancient mysteries and ruins, and the conflict between powerful entities vying for control. Players will likely embark on a journey of discovery, battling formidable foes and uncovering the secrets of Wraeclast along the way.

Path of Exile 2 Release Date

Nothing is confirmed yet, except that the game will release in 2024, barring anything world-ending. It’s expected to be early 2024, hopefully, mid-summer, but we’ll have a lot more information during Exilecon 2, which will happen July 28, 2023.

They’ll also inform the Beta release then, with a high likelihood of being started halfway through League 3.22, also set to be announced and started the week after Exilecon 2.

Path of Exile 2 Gameplay

Path of Exile 2 aims to build upon the successful gameplay foundation established by its predecessor while introducing a range of improvements and new features. Although specific details may change, this is our general knowledge so far, shown from the last Exilecon and other videos and information shared by Grinding Gear Games.

Character Classes: Path of Exile 2 retains the diverse selection of character classes from the original game, each with unique playstyle, skills, and abilities. These classes include the Marauder, Witch, Ranger, Duelist, Templar, Shadow, and Scion.
Skill Gems and Passive Skill Tree: The game continues to utilize the skill gem system, where players socket gems into their equipment to gain active skills. Path of Exile 2 features an expanded selection of skill gems, allowing for more diverse and powerful character builds. The massive passive skill tree, which offers countless nodes to enhance your character’s attributes and abilities, also receives updates and additions.
Ascendancy Classes: Players can choose an Ascendancy Class for their characters at a certain point in the game, unlocking specialized subclasses that offer unique skills and gameplay mechanics. Ascendancy Classes provide further customization options and allow for the development of highly specialized builds.
Exploration and Monsters: Path of Exile 2 retains the vast and interconnected world of Wraeclast, filled with dangerous monsters, treacherous dungeons, and challenging boss encounters. Players will explore various environments, including desolate plains, sinister forests, and crumbling ruins, each with its own set of enemies and challenges.
Cooperative Gameplay: Like its predecessor, Path of Exile 2 supports cooperative gameplay, allowing players to team up with friends or other online players to tackle challenges together. Cooperative play encourages collaboration and strategic coordination to overcome challenging encounters and acquire powerful loot.
Graphics and Visual Improvements: Path of Exile 2 introduces a significant graphical overhaul compared to the original game. The developers have enhanced the game’s visuals, including improved character models, animations, environments, and special effects. The result is a more visually stunning and immersive gaming experience.

Path of Exile 2 Classes

Path of Exile 2 will introduce a whole new campaign, with 7 acts and 19 new ascendancies, based on the primary 7 base characters.

Nothing will be deleted from the old game, and you can unlock these ascendancies after you play the PoE2 Campaign, so you can use them on your PoE1 characters, fully integrated.

The biggest impact this will have, at first, is that no one knows will know what’s good anymore, and people will have to scramble around and experiment to find out what’s meta and what isn’t and cool new interactions with skills and unique items.

Ranger is one of the few classes showing all her new ascendancies, though not all notables. The Survivalist, which focuses primarily on adaptability in combat, the Beast Master, which has all sorts of unique new things, like shape-shifting and Pet Minions; and the Tactician, which revolves around using spears, mixing ranged and melee attacks, and empowering ballistae!

Other known ascendancies are the Defiler and the Arcanist, Witch classes, and the Reaver, a Marauder-based class focused on buffing allies mid-battle.

Path of Exile 2 Trailer

This is one of the latest trailers, showcasing what the story of Path of Exile 2 will be about.

It shows a bunch of gameplay of different skills, classes, archetypes, enemies and locations, all narrated by some ominous leader.

Path of Exile 2 Developers

Grinding Gear Games is an independent video game development studio based in New Zealand. The company was founded in 2006 by Chris Wilson, Jonathan Rogers, and Erik Olofsson. Initially, the team worked on a game called “Path of Exile” as a hobby project. However, they decided to turn it into a full-fledged game due to positive feedback from beta testers.

Path of Exile, released in 2013, is an online action role-playing game set in the dark fantasy world of Wraeclast. It quickly gained popularity for its deep gameplay mechanics, extensive character customization, and the “ethical microtransactions” model focused on cosmetic items rather than pay-to-win features. Path of Exile has since become a major success and has garnered a dedicated player base.

Here are some interesting facts about Grinding Gear Games:

Independent Studio: Grinding Gear Games is known for its independent status. The company has self-published Path of Exile without the support of a major publisher, allowing them to maintain creative control over their game and make decisions that prioritize the player experience.
Transparent Development: The developers at Grinding Gear Games have a reputation for being transparent with their community. They actively engage with players through forums, social media, and regular development updates. This open communication fosters a strong connection between the developers and the player base.
Continuous Updates and Expansions: Grinding Gear Games is committed to delivering new content and updates for Path of Exile. The game receives regular expansions introducing new storylines, gameplay mechanics, and items. These expansions are often accompanied by leagues, which provide additional challenges and rewards for players.
Community Involvement: The company places a strong emphasis on community involvement. They actively seek player feedback, host events and competitions, and even collaborate with community members to create unique in-game items or design challenges. This approach fosters a sense of community and encourages player engagement.
Expansion to Other Platforms: Initially released for PC, Path of Exile has expanded to other platforms. The game debuted on Xbox One in 2017 and later on PlayStation 4 in 2019. This allowed the player base to grow further and reach a wider audience.
Development of Path of Exile 2: Grinding Gear Games announced the development of Path of Exile 2 in November 2019. Path of Exile 2 is a sequel to the original game and aims to improve its mechanics and visuals while providing a new storyline and gameplay experience. The release date for Path of Exile 2 has not been announced yet but it's expected somewhere around 2024.

Grinding Gear Games has established itself as a respected game development studio with a dedicated and passionate community. Their commitment to player-focused design, transparent communication, and continuous improvement has contributed to the success and longevity of Path of Exile.

Path of Exile 2 News

Here we see for the first time a Crossbow user in Wraeclast, using a form of Arrow Nova.

We’re still unsure what this is beyond being part of the trailer, but it seems that it will be either a god we are awakening or a ritual we’re performing.

These trailers came out in early June 2023, and they showcase two completely different gameplays, one for a witch, with several new skills and ways of playing, while the other is showcasing a staff user that truly uses staves for the first time, all with new skills and different mechanics.

For more information, check Path of Exile 2’s official website here: pathofexile2.com