Quick summary
Path of Exile 2 is a free-to-play action RPG from Grinding Gear Games that continues the dark fantasy saga on the continent of Wraeclast. Built as a next-generation follow-up, it expands the original with upgraded presentation, reworked systems, and a large amount of fresh content. You can play alone or in small cooperative groups, but multiplayer sessions are capped at six players.
Significant upgrades and headline features
- Playable solo or in cooperative sessions with up to six people.
- Overhauled visuals and many reworked gameplay systems.
- Expanded content slate that includes new areas, enemies, and bosses.
- Far broader class and progression options compared with the original title.
Character systems and how progression works
Path of Exile 2 increases character variety and flexibility in several ways:
- Twelve starting class choices based on combinations of Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence, letting you pick an approach that suits your playstyle.
- Three Ascendancy specializations per start class, creating up to 36 distinct mid-to-late game archetypes.
- The Passive Skill Tree returns in an expanded form, giving access to well over a thousand nodes so builds can be highly customized.
- Freedom to shift and refine your build as you progress, enabling significant late-game character tuning.
Campaign scope and enemies
- The main campaign is structured into six acts and spans about a hundred different environments.
- Expect more than 600 enemy types across the world and roughly one hundred named bosses to overcome.
- The variety of biomes and encounter types aims to make revisits to Wraeclast feel fresh.
Multiplayer and limitations
- The game supports online cooperative play but limits each session to a maximum of six players.
- Despite the cap, cooperative runs offer meaningful interactions and group-oriented builds, while the solo experience remains comprehensive and challenging.
What early access includes
- A truncated early access campaign comprising three acts for early explorers.
- Approximately 50 unique bosses and around 400 monster varieties — roughly half of the planned full launch content.
- Co-op play enabled on a single account during early access so groups can test builds together.
Players gain early access either by having spent a certain cumulative amount in the first game on one platform or by purchasing new Early Access Supporter Packs that include exclusive cosmetics, in-game items, and physical collectibles.
Microtransactions and the transition from the first game
- Many cosmetics and microtransaction items from the original title will be brought over, but not all will be available immediately on day one.
- The team is actively integrating these systems; some items or features may be temporarily unavailable while they are rolled out.
Final impressions
Path of Exile 2 delivers a dense, challenging ARPG experience with deeper progression and a wealth of build possibilities. Its refreshed presentation and expanded class system make it a meaningful successor to the first game. Multiplayer is limited in scale, but both solo and group play remain rewarding, with a strong emphasis on player choice and customization.
Technical
- Windows
- English
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Japanese
- Korean
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Free