Path of Exile 2 Endgame: A Deep Dive into Lingering Issues in Early Access

Path of Exile 2, the highly anticipated sequel to Grinding Gear Games’ popular action RPG, launched into early access on July 28th, 2023, amidst a wave of excitement and anticipation. Promising a revamped campaign, new classes, and a complete overhaul of the endgame systems, players eagerly jumped in to experience the next evolution of Path of Exile. However, despite the initial hype and undeniable improvements, the early access endgame has revealed some significant issues that are causing concern amongst dedicated players. This article delves into the remaining problems plaguing Path of Exile 2’s endgame, drawing from widespread community feedback across forums like Reddit and official discussions, alongside my own personal experiences after clocking in over 100 hours in the Wraeclast of the sequel.

While Grinding Gear Games has been actively addressing feedback and implementing changes, these lingering issues threaten to hamper the long-term enjoyment and engagement of the endgame experience. From frustrating gameplay mechanics to questionable design choices, we’ll explore the challenges players are facing and discuss potential solutions. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer curious about the state of Path of Exile 2, this in-depth analysis will provide valuable insights into the current endgame landscape.

The Grind: Still Too Much, Too Repetitive

Path of Exile has always been known for its challenging and rewarding endgame grind. However, many players feel that Path of Exile 2 has swung the pendulum too far in the direction of repetition and time commitment. The core loop of mapping, while receiving a visual and content update, still suffers from a lack of meaningful variety.

• Mapping Fatigue: Running the same maps repeatedly, even with the new layouts and modifiers, quickly becomes tedious. The allure of discovering new content wears off as players find themselves trapped in a cycle of grinding for incremental upgrades.
• Excessive Time Investment: Reaching the pinnacle of endgame power requires an exorbitant amount of time, often demanding multiple hours of daily play. This creates a barrier to entry for casual players and can lead to burnout even for dedicated fans.

Personally, I found myself hitting a wall around level 85. The struggle to progress further felt less rewarding and more like a chore. The excitement of acquiring new gear was overshadowed by the sheer amount of grinding required to obtain it.

Lackluster Rewards: Where’s the Loot?

One of the core driving forces behind any ARPG is the pursuit of powerful and unique loot. Unfortunately, Path of Exile 2’s endgame currently falls short in delivering satisfying rewards.

• Rarity of Chase Uniques: The most sought-after unique items are excessively rare, making them inaccessible to the vast majority of players. This creates a sense of disappointment and diminishes the thrill of item discovery.
• Underwhelming Unique Itemization: Many unique items lack exciting or build-defining properties, making them feel like mere stat sticks rather than coveted treasures.

In my experience, the majority of uniques I found were quickly vendored or discarded. The lack of interesting affixes and the rarity of truly powerful items made the loot hunt feel unrewarding.

Skill Gem System: Too Restrictive?

Path of Exile 2 introduces a new skill gem system that aims to provide more build diversity. However, the current implementation has been met with mixed reactions.

• Limited Socket Options: The restriction on the number of support gems that can be linked to a skill gem limits build creativity and forces players into cookie-cutter builds.
• Support Gem Accessibility: Acquiring the necessary support gems to optimize a build can be a frustrating endeavor, further hindering experimentation and build diversity.

While the new system has potential, it currently feels too restrictive. I found myself gravitating towards established meta builds due to the limitations imposed by the socket system and the difficulty in acquiring optimal support gems.

The Atlas Passive Tree: Overly Complex and Confusing

The Atlas Passive Tree, a key component of endgame progression, has undergone a significant overhaul in Path of Exile 2. While intended to provide more customization and control over endgame content, the current iteration has been criticized for its complexity and lack of clarity.

• Overwhelming Choices: The sheer number of passive nodes and their intricate interactions can be overwhelming for new and returning players alike.
• Unintuitive Layout: The tree’s layout and visual presentation make it difficult to understand the flow of progression and the impact of individual nodes.

Navigating the Atlas Passive Tree felt like deciphering a complex puzzle. Even after spending hours researching and planning, I often found myself questioning the effectiveness of my choices.

Performance Issues: Stuttering and Crashes Persist

Despite being in early access, Path of Exile 2 suffers from persistent performance issues that negatively impact the gameplay experience.

• Stuttering and Lag: Many players report experiencing significant stuttering and lag, especially during intense combat encounters or in areas with a high density of enemies and effects.
• Crashes: Game crashes, while less frequent, still occur and can lead to frustrating progress loss.

These technical issues are particularly problematic in endgame content where smooth performance is crucial for success. I encountered several instances of stuttering and even experienced a few crashes, which disrupted my gameplay flow and caused frustration.

Looking Ahead: Potential Solutions and the Future of Path of Exile 2

Despite these challenges, Path of Exile 2 remains a promising ARPG with the potential to surpass its predecessor. Grinding Gear Games has a history of actively listening to community feedback and implementing changes based on player input. Here are some potential solutions to the issues outlined above:

• Increased Map Variety: Introduce more diverse map layouts, modifiers, and objectives to alleviate mapping fatigue and provide a more engaging experience.
• Improved Loot Distribution: Adjust the drop rates of unique items to make them more accessible while ensuring that chase uniques remain rare and desirable.
• Rebalanced Skill Gem System: Increase the number of support gem sockets or introduce alternative mechanics to provide more build flexibility and encourage experimentation.
• Streamlined Atlas Passive Tree: Simplify the tree’s layout and provide clearer explanations of passive node effects to improve user experience and accessibility.
• Ongoing Performance Optimization: Continue to address performance issues through optimization patches and bug fixes to ensure a smooth and stable gameplay experience.

The future of Path of Exile 2’s endgame hinges on Grinding Gear Games’ ability to address these issues and deliver on its promises. By actively engaging with the community and implementing meaningful changes, they can create a truly rewarding and captivating endgame experience that will keep players hooked for years to come.