Since the release of Path Of Exile 2 trailer on May 30, 2024, PoE has been a darling of ARPG community, often compared to games like Diablo 4, but widely praised for its unique gameplay, rich features, and depth. Path Of Exile 2’s planned improvements combine with the series’ already excellent foundation to make it a genuine contender for any aspiring to be the best ARPG in the genre.

Path Of Exile Continues To Innovate

Some fans have compared Path Of Exile 2 to Diablo 4. Despite being nearly a decade old, Path of Exile still has a huge player base. The free-to-play game is known for its massive skill trees and rich boss mechanics, and it also has the advantage of six-player co-op compared to Diablo 4’s four-player co-op mode.

Path Of Exile 2 will also introduce multiple new class options, and the first work offers more possibilities for diversity because of its team size. Path Of Exile 2 will continue to be fully supported with new updates.

In an experimental attempt at a live service game, the developer promised to add expansions to both games at the same time and support micro-transactions between the two games using Path Of Exile 2 Currency. Free-to-play games like Path Of Exile 2 are more attractive to gather a large group of friends for cooperation and expanding the action role-playing game market.

PoE 2 Will Feature Couch Co-Op

PoE 2 will introduce a couch co-op option for all versions of the game. This mode requires two controllers and allows players to play together under the same account using separate accounts or guest accounts. The redesigned controller scheme uses dual stick controls to simplify the operation of using controllers.

The developers said that this feature was initially introduced as an experiment. They first introduced a new HUD to accommodate two people playing followed by other optimizations that make it easier to manage inventory on the same screen. This feature is designed to provide a more fun experience in playing with friends and family.

PoE 2 Will Debut On Consoles

Path Of Exile 2 will support PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC platforms at launch, and will enable cross-platform play and progress sharing. The development team has optimized the control scheme, providing more movement options and a brand new interface design. The left stick is responsible for character movement, and the right stick adjusts the direction, allowing players to flexibly retreat when casting spells or using skills.

Hype Of PoE 2 Reflects The Status Of Diablo 4

It is rumored that the development of Diablo 4 was too hasty, resulting in the game failing to meet the expected standards. Its online requirements have also caused some controversy.

Developer Grinding Gear Games pointed out that Diablo 4 may have encountered some problems, and the developer feedback has begun to solve these problems, but the essence of ARPG games is still to develop over time and get better through continuous updates.

Features such as allowing more players to participate in battles, as well as the continued maintenance of the first Path of Exile, have obviously stimulated discussions about the future direction of the series. Path of Exile 2 plans to introduce more career options, and support for up to six players to play together may further demonstrate the diversity of the game build.

PoE 2 Has More Features Than Diablo 4

Diablo 3 and Diablo 4 both offer couch co-op options, which are relatively rare in similar ARPGs. With its fascinating storyline and narrative, Diablo series has always occupied an unshakable position in the field.

However, over time, some ARPG enthusiasts began to notice the subtle differences between Diablo 4 and PoE and games like Last Epoch. These games have successfully attracted a part of the player base that originally belonged to Diablo series by increasing complexity, deeper skill trees, higher customization, and richer and more attractive end-game activities.

Diablo 4 was initially praised for its excellent storytelling and compact gameplay, but was later criticized by some players for not having a sufficiently attractive endgame.

More Games Should Have A Couch Co-Op Option

Over time, many games have moved to online-only multiplayer modes, making the once-mainstream couch co-op option fade into obscurity. However, there are still some standout games like It Takes Two, Cuphead, Stardew Valley, and others that use couch co-op as part of the main gameplay and competitive advantage, giving players the option to play games in their living room with friends or family.

These games are often inspired by early action RPGs, such as Gauntlet, where players can choose from four different classes, which were originally experienced in arcades. Hopefully, Path of Exile 2’s inclusion of a couch co-op option is just the beginning of other games incorporating it into future gaming trends.

As the gaming industry continues to grow, so does the demand for diverse and deeper gaming experiences. Path of Exile 2 shows its unwavering commitment to meeting these needs by introducing couch co-op, cross-platform support, and more class options. It also challenges competitors like Diablo 4 to push the industry toward more inclusion and innovation.

Hopefully, Path of Exile 2’s success will encourage more developers to explore and implement similar features, enriching player choice and raising the bar for the entire gaming space.