Path of Exile 2 [PC, XBSX|S, PS5]

[Scott_Arm]

Early access begins December 6th. It's like a more complicated Diablo, and I hate Diablo, but this one has twin-stick controls. You can actually move and use your abilities at the same time! Holy shit, we're not trapped in the 90s anymore. Actually looking forward to trying it out.

Path of Exile

pathofexile2.com

 

[Davros]

You like your twin stick controls dont you - learn to use a keyboard and mouse like a proper gamer

 

[Cyan]

from what I could gather from previews, this game seems to be a lot better than modern Diablo games, like it's what Diablo should be. I am interested in this game since I played the first, but not much. However, I am into tactical turn based rpgs like Aliens: Dark Descent nowadays so we shall see

 

[Scott_Arm]

You like your twin stick controls dont you - learn to use a keyboard and mouse like a proper gamer

Well, that is how I'm going to be playing You move with wasd and aim with mouse. Essentially like twin-stick. Independent move and aim. On console it'll be literally twin stick. Most of these iso arpgs you move in the direction of your cursor, which is just an awful and outdated movement system. They just do it because that's how diablo did it in 1997 or whatever.

 

[iroboto]

Well, that is how I'm going to be playing You move with wasd and aim with mouse. Essentially like twin-stick. Independent move and aim. On console it'll be literally twin stick. Most of these iso arpgs you move in the direction of your cursor, which is just an awful and outdated movement system. They just do it because that's how diablo did it in 1997 or whatever.

lol
I think Diablo when using twin stick controls also lets you move and use abilities, though only with controller. Mouse and keyboard unfortunately just doesn't let you do that.

 

[Scott_Arm]

I just started playing a bit. With shadows and GI on high the game looks great and plays very well. Having independent move and aim is the huge improvement over Diablo that I thought it would be. Game feels great so far.

 

[techuse]

Is the allure of this game just a grind for gear with higher stats?

 

[GhostofWar]

Is the allure of this game just a grind for gear with higher stats?

The allure of the original was the build diversity using the passive tree, item modifiers and skill gem supports. The sequel doesn't have that scope yet, although the devs said they wanted to make this more friendly to the average player so maybe it will never get to that point. The allure at the moment seems to just be it's not easy and maybe people like the direct control (wasd movement), although i'm starting to see some builds that are looking very close to poe play styles so it may have some depth.

They also do leagues which is a clean restart for everyone with some new mechanics and balance changes every 6 months to a year.

Here's a tongue in cheek video to make you laugh at how unfriendly the originals systems are for new players. Just chasing items with bigger numbers isn't how you really succeed in the original.

 

[Gerry]

Despite putting quite a few hours into Diablo IV this year I've never really been tempted by PoE. I've been put off by what appears to be the sheer complexity of all the systems. I find Diablo enough for me, just trying to keep track of all the different materials and interactions between various skills. I don't think I have enough time in my life for something like PoE. I was reading someone on Reddit saying how they'd put 3500 hours into PoE, which just blew my mind. I just can't imagine spending something like a solid year of my life on a single game. Also some of the PoE evangelists you see posting are just... off-putting. It does seem to attract some of the worst types of people in the gaming community.

Having said that, PoE2 does look good, and I'll maybe give this a go if it really is a bit more friendly to the non-3500hrs players out there.

 

[Scott_Arm]

I’m enjoying it so far. My main complaint would be that the main dungeon clearing is too easy, though not as easy as diablo 4. Bosses are a lot more interesting. I’m playing warrior and it may just be any easy class. The skills feel a lot more satisfying to use in this one, and the animations and effects are a lot cooler. Still early. Managing the passives tree isn’t that bad if you’re not worried about hyper optimization. The support gems are fairly straightforward and allow you to modify skills

 

[Scott_Arm]

I'm in act 2. I think the game is okay. Playing warrior. Basically setup to be more like a pure tank for when I'm playing co-op with my friends. The game feels incredibly easy in co-op, and only slightly harder solo. I keep reading about how difficult the game is, but I don't get it. I don't read up on builds or any of that trash. I die a bit, but not much. I think these games are more about power fantasies, and people clearing the screen as fast as possible, or one-shotting bosses. They're not actually designed to be difficult mechanically. About the only thing that can trip you up is large aoe attacks. Same as diablo. Diablo 3 it was enemies that spawned those spinning lasers on the ground, and in Diablo 4 it was enemies spawning so many pools of blood on the ground that you don't have much room to move. Ends up being a resistance check. But it's a cheap way of adding difficulty, vs having interesting combat mechanics. Poe2 is better than that, but it's a lot less like a souls-like than people were suggesting. The longer I play the more it just feels like diablo and dodging etc aren't as important as just clearing the screen fast.

 

[Scott_Arm]

The graphics are very very good. Some of the spell/skill effects are awesome, and the boss designs are very good. Lighting and shadows look superb. Game is ramping up a bit toward the end of act 2. Good session today. Still not super hard, but I have to pay enough attention that it's keeping me engaged.

 

[BoardBonobo]

I got as far as Count Ogham and called it quits. It's fun but I chose Sorceress for my character which was a mistake. If I'd picked warrior then it would have been pretty easy in comparison I think as ninety percent of the drops I got were for warriors including some really cool Orange (Lengendaty?) level armour. But nothing at all good really dropped for my character. Maybe they need to do some balancing before the real release.

The slog to get to Ogham was just tedious, endless streams of spongy enemies and no decent loot and then the Count himself in that tiny arena. Not for me unfortunately.

 

[Scott_Arm]

@BoardBonobo Warrior seems to be considered the worst class in the game. Mercenary, monk, sorceress seem to be the strongest ones. The game doesn't have the same high drop rate as Diablo until act 2. I was pretty much using blue items for most of act 1.

 

[BoardBonobo]

@BoardBonobo Warrior seems to be considered the worst class in the game. Mercenary, monk, sorceress seem to be the strongest ones. The game doesn't have the same high drop rate as Diablo until act 2. I was pretty much using blue items for most of act 1.

I can see that being the case later in the game, once you have access to the higher level powers but getting there is pretty hard I think. Maybe harder than it should be. I tested anyway and created a new warrior character and it has been a breeze so far. Easily bested Ogham and the previous bosses (and all the mini bosses).

 

[iroboto]

@BoardBonobo Warrior seems to be considered the worst class in the game. Mercenary, monk, sorceress seem to be the strongest ones. The game doesn't have the same high drop rate as Diablo until act 2. I was pretty much using blue items for most of act 1.

I heard this was because in the EA the warrior doesn’t have complete access to everything? Is that right ?

 

[Scott_Arm]

I heard this was because in the EA the warrior doesn’t have complete access to everything? Is that right ?

Not sure. A lot of weapon types are missing, and some skill gems are missing. Maybe some skills as well. You'll see "Coming soon" marked in spots where content is not finished. I think most people just find the game heavily favours high-dps ranged. The way the ascension trials work is a sore point for warriors as well, because one of the failure conditions is losing honour, and you lose honour by taking damage. So during your ascension you can't do the thing that warriors are good at, which is tanking.

 

[BoardBonobo]

I've also noticed that better, and different, items are dropping with the warrior. I have charms which I never get with the Sorceress etc. It's odd :/