It feels like we’re only 30% there.

In its current state, I’d say that new players wanting to try Path of Exile 2 are probably better off waiting until the game officially releases free to play. However, if you’ve got experience with PoE1, this might feel like a breath of fresh air—it’s a solid departure in some ways and could offer something exciting for longtime fans. While I can’t recommend it as it is right now, I fully believe in the longevity and replayability of Path of Exile and Grinding Gear Games’ vision for the future.

Now, onto the game itself. Path of Exile 2 has potential, but it feels incomplete. Don’t get me wrong—the visuals are stunning. The environments, spell effects, and overall atmosphere are top-notch, some of the best I’ve seen in any ARPG. The audio is just as impressive, with subtle, immersive music that perfectly matches the tone of each area. But as polished as the game looks and sounds, the gameplay feels like it’s missing a lot.

Combat is mostly solid, but there are some major frustrations. Off-screen enemies (especially oversized bosses) can hit you without warning, and that just feels unfair. Even worse, I’ve had fights and Trials where enemies get stuck outside the arena, bricking the encounter and forcing a restart. That’s a brutal hit to momentum. Trials, in general, are overly punishing and take far too long—they feel more like a chore than a rewarding challenge.

Loot has seen some much-needed improvements—it’s better than before, even if there’s an overabundance of blues. Currency is mostly fine, but Exalts feel underwhelming, while gold is in a good spot. That said, be ready to spend at least $20 on stash tabs if you plan to stick around for the long haul. While the game is technically free, stash tabs are a necessity if you want to make the grind enjoyable.

Skills are a mixed bag. The removal of Flash Dash and the lack of movement skill variety feels like a step back. The default dash can’t be modified, which makes mobility feel clunky, especially during fast-paced fights. While I appreciate the videos showing how spells work, the overall customization feels lackluster compared to PoE1. I’d love to see more creative spell combos and synergies.

Performance is decent for the most part, but the game does crash randomly, and it’s not clear why. While rare, it’s frustrating when it happens. The pacing is a bigger concern—it’s much slower than PoE1, which might work for some players, but it drags for me. If they expect us to replay a 60-hour campaign every season, that’s going to be a hard pass. The new phasing mechanics also feel off. Getting pushback from just walking into things makes the game too easy, and it breaks immersion.

Right now, Path of Exile 2 feels like it’s about 30% complete. The visuals and audio are phenomenal, and loot feels better than ever, but the gameplay has glaring issues with bugs, balancing, and content depth compared to PoE1. That said, I believe in Grinding Gear Games’ vision for the future, and I know PoE2 has the potential to become something amazing. For now, though, I’d recommend holding off unless you’re a PoE veteran looking for something new.