When you’ve been anticipating a game like Path of Exile 2 for what feels like forever, the moment you finally get to play it feels almost surreal. That was precisely the case during the Path of Exile 2 preview event held in Los Angeles earlier this month. After years of development, slow drips of information, and gameplay teasers, the doors to POE2 were finally flung open — even if just for a weekend. What followed was an exciting dive into a reimagined, yet distinctly familiar, world that has captivated the ARPG community for over a decade.

Let’s get this out of the way: POE2 Currency is not just an expansion or graphical facelift of the original. It’s a full sequel — one that refines the complex systems Path of Exile is known for, smooths over its rough edges, and elevates the entire experience without compromising the deep gameplay fans love. And as someone who spent that preview weekend immersed in its dark fantasy world, I can confidently say POE2 doesn’t just meet expectations—it exceeds them.

First Impressions: A World Reforged

From the moment you log in, the changes are evident. The visual fidelity has taken a massive leap forward. POE2 boasts a new graphics engine, delivering more detailed environments, dynamic lighting, and visceral animations. Whether it’s the glint of steel in a sword clash, the eerie glow of spell effects, or the grim decay of a forgotten ruin, every frame feels like an upgrade. The gritty, oppressive tone of Path of Exile remains, but now it's delivered with a level of polish and realism that brings Wraeclast to life like never before.

What truly stands out, however, is how POE2 manages to balance nostalgia with innovation. It’s undeniably Path of Exile, but it also feels fresh, fluid, and welcoming in ways the original sometimes struggled with.

Combat: Fluid, Tactical, and Satisfying

Combat has seen significant improvements in both feel and mechanics. One of the standout enhancements is how smooth the animations and inputs are. Attacks feel weightier, casting spells has satisfying impact, and dodging or repositioning during encounters feels more responsive. POE1 veterans will notice this immediately—the clunkiness that sometimes plagued early gameplay has been replaced with a combat system that encourages tactical movement and rewards timing.

The addition of weapon swapping as a more integral mechanic is especially exciting. While it existed in the original game, it often felt underused or cumbersome. In POE2, it’s been streamlined, making it more accessible and viable in moment-to-moment gameplay. Players are encouraged to adapt and experiment mid-combat, adding a new layer of strategy to encounters.

Classes and Builds: Familiar Archetypes, Fresh Execution

Path of Exile 2 launches with a full suite of new character classes—19 in total—that expand on the core fantasy archetypes while also introducing unique mechanics. Each class feels distinct not only in terms of stats and starting location on the passive tree, but also in playstyle and narrative role.

Returning players will find echoes of POE1’s iconic classes, but with enough variation to warrant exploration. New players, meanwhile, won’t feel lost in a sea of outdated mechanics or unbalanced meta builds. Instead, the class design in POE2 encourages creative theorycrafting from the start. This is due in part to the revamped passive skill tree system, which, while still vast and intimidating, has been streamlined for clarity and progression flow.

If you were overwhelmed by the original passive tree’s complexity, you’ll be relieved to know that POE2’s version makes it easier to plan and commit to builds without sacrificing depth. It’s still the “skill tree monstrosity” fans know and love (or fear), but it’s been organized in a way that invites exploration instead of confusion.

Storytelling: A Stronger Narrative Presence

One of the most noticeable differences between Path of Exile and its sequel is the narrative structure. POE1 was famously light on story for large portions of its campaign, instead relying on cryptic lore and fragmented dialogue to convey its world. That worked for some, but often felt like background noise for those primarily focused on loot and builds.

In POE2, the story takes a much more central role. Characters are more fleshed out, voice acting is prominent, and the world reacts to your actions in meaningful ways. Cutscenes are used sparingly but effectively, adding cinematic depth to major events. And the quests feel more tied to the world’s internal logic rather than being simple kill-and-fetch objectives.

This focus on storytelling doesn't detract from the core gameplay but instead enhances it. You’re not just a nameless exile grinding for gear—you’re a participant in a living, breathing world struggling to survive and evolve.

Streamlined Complexity: Easing the Learning Curve

Let’s be honest—Path of Exile has a reputation for being intimidating. Its depth is both its greatest strength and most notorious barrier to entry. Grinding Gear Games seems fully aware of this and has made major strides in POE2 to maintain complexity while making the onboarding process far more user-friendly.

Redundant mechanics and layers of legacy bloat have been reduced. Systems like skill gem sockets and item interactions feel more intuitive. Crafting, traditionally a domain for spreadsheet wizards, has been revised with better visual cues and clarity.

Veterans may need to rewire some muscle memory, especially when it comes to mechanics like flask management or movement skills. But the learning curve feels fairer overall. The sequel respects its roots but understands that onboarding should not feel like reading a college textbook.

Endgame and Longevity: The Real Test Ahead

While the preview focused mainly on early-to-mid campaign content, the question of POE2’s endgame still looms large. The original Path of Exile made its mark with the ever-evolving Atlas of Worlds and seasonal challenge leagues that added layers of replayability. Grinding Gear Games has hinted that POE2 will retain a similar league structure, but with fresh ideas and better integration with the core game loop.

The success of POE2 will hinge on how well it handles this post-campaign phase. The early gameplay is promising, but ARPG fans live for the grind, the loot chase, the build perfection. If the developers can bring the same refinement and quality seen in the campaign to the endgame, POE2 will have a long and healthy life ahead.

The Verdict So Far: POE2 Looks Like a Game Worth Losing Yourself In

Based on my hands-on time with Path of Exile 2, it’s clear that this is more than just a sequel. It’s a bold evolution—a game that honors its past while daring to improve in nearly every area. It keeps the deep, customizable gameplay that made POE1 iconic, but wraps it in smoother mechanics, better storytelling, and more modern design principles.

The visuals are breathtaking. The classes are satisfying to experiment with. The improved onboarding makes it more approachable without dumbing things down. And the combat? It might just be the best in the genre right now.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or someone who bounced off the original due to its daunting complexity, Path of Exile 2 offers something compelling. It’s the kind of game you log into for a test session, only to look up and realize hours have passed.

Final Thoughts

Path of Exile 2 is shaping up to be not just a worthy successor, but a new standard for ARPGs. In an industry filled with half-baked sequels and shallow reboots, POE2 is a rare gem: a sequel that listens, learns, and delivers.

With its full release still ahead, there’s a lot to look forward to—from new leagues and endgame content to inevitable expansions cheap POE 2 Divine Orbs. But if this preview was any indication, we’re in for a hell of a ride.

So, stretch those gaming fingers. Sharpen your theorycrafting skills. Because when Path of Exile 2 finally launches, it might just become your next obsession.