Path of Exile 2 to Arrive in Early Access for PC and Consoles

Grinding Gear Games, the masterminds behind the popular free-to-play action RPG Path of Exile, are back with Path of Exile 2, a highly anticipated next-generation installment. And the best part? It’s coming to Playstation 5, bringing with it an exciting new feature – couch co-op.

Path of Exile has always been a game that thrives on multiplayer experiences, but until now, players needed multiple devices to enjoy it together. With Path of Exile 2, the developers have set out to change that by bringing the joy of playing with friends to the comfort of your living room. Players can now engage in collaborative gameplay on a single account or log in with two separate Path of Exile accounts on the same console.

But that’s not all – Path of Exile 2 is also introducing full cross-play and cross-progression. This means you can play with your friends across different platforms without losing any progress. It’s a game-changer for the community and opens up a world of possibilities for gamers.

Now, let’s dive into some of the key features that make Path of Exile 2 a highly anticipated title in the RPG genre.

First off, we have the twelve character classes. Path of Exile 2 offers players a diverse range of options with two classes for each combination of Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence. These class variants cater to different playstyles, serving as a solid foundation for character builds. But here’s the exciting part – you can mix and match skills from various classes to create your own unique character build. With twelve character classes, each featuring three Ascendancy specializations, players have a whopping 36 Ascendancy Classes to choose from.

Next up is the revamped Skill Gem system. Path of Exile 2 introduces a staggering 240 Skill Gems that grant powerful active skills. Additionally, there are 200 Support Gems that modify the behavior of these skills. As you progress through the Campaign, you’ll earn these Gems and have the freedom to combine them to create your perfect build. This new system simplifies the process by allowing Support Gems to be socketed directly into Skill Gems, eliminating previous frustrations while maintaining depth. With this change, you can now fully optimize every skill your character uses.

The iconic Passive Skill Tree also makes a return in Path of Exile 2, offering players a staggering 1,500 skills to customize their gameplay experience. But what’s new this time around is the Dual Specialization feature. You can now allocate passive skill points to two different sets of skills, which activate when the appropriate weapon or skill type is used. This allows for specialization in multiple areas without sacrificing flexibility.

In terms of items, Path of Exile 2 introduces a vast array of new equipment base types. With 700 unique equipment base types, each with its own separate item, players can expand their arsenal with weapons like Spears, Crossbows, and Flails. Supplementary items such as Focuses, Traps, and redesigned Scepters add even more depth to your character’s loadout.

Boss battles are a staple of any RPG, and Path of Exile 2 doesn’t disappoint. Every area of the Campaign is packed with unique boss encounters, totaling over a hundred bosses to challenge your skills. Each boss comes with its own set of mechanics, ensuring that no two battles feel the same.

And once you’ve completed the six-act campaign, you’ll gain access to Path of Exile 2’s endgame content. With over 100 endgame maps, each featuring its own boss encounter, there’s plenty to keep players engaged long after the main story is finished. While details about the endgame are still under wraps, we can expect exciting surprises that will surely delight fans.

Lastly, Grinding Gear Games wants to assure players that Path of Exile 2 remains true to its roots as a fair-to-play game. It’s a separate game from the original Path of Exile, and both games will continue to receive expansions in the future. The best part? They are completely free-to-play and will never adopt a “pay-to-win” model. Purchases made in either game are shared between the two.

While an official Early Access date for Path of Exile 2 is yet to be announced, fans can expect a simultaneous release on multiple platforms by the end of this year. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates as we eagerly await the next chapter in the Path of Exile saga.