Summary
- The Path of Exile 2 developers are defending the challenging endgame, despite players' concerns.
- Co-director Jonathan Rogers stated, "...if you’re dying all the time then you’re probably not ready to keep going up the power curve."
- Players navigate through the intricate Atlas of Worlds in endgame, facing advanced challenges and bosses.
Path of Exile 2 co-directors Mark Roberts and Jonathan Rogers have responded to an outcry from fans who have commented on the unforgiving endgame difficulty. As a sequel to the acclaimed 2013 game, Path of Exile 2 introduces a new skill system with 240 active skill gems and 12 character classes to choose from. After completing the six-act story, players can dive into the brutal 100 endgame maps.
Since its early access launch in December 2024, the isometric action RPG has attracted a robust player base. This year, fans eagerly await crucial quality-of-life improvements while anticipating the full release. Path of Exile 2's first update of 2025, Patch 0.1.0, addresses bugs and crashes, especially on PlayStation 5, enhancing overall gameplay. It also tackles issues with monsters, skills, and damage.
In an exclusive interview with content creators Darth Microtransaction and GhazzyTV, Roberts and Rogers discussed the upcoming Patch 0.1.1 and shared their views on the endgame's difficulty. The developers defended the challenge, emphasizing that "The whole ‘death actually mattering’ thing is actually important. You have to have some level of failure being possible," and stated that the gameplay would not "feel the same" if the design reverted to a single portal system. Path of Exile 2 players have voiced their concerns about the endgame's difficulty, which features demanding player builds and fast monsters, making strategic encounters extremely challenging.
Path of Exile 2 Devs Defend Endgame's Difficulty
Regarding the loss of EXP during a player's Atlas run, Rogers explained, "It’s keeping you in the place where you’re supposed to be, as in if you’re dying all the time then you’re probably not ready to keep going up the power curve." However, the team at Grinding Gear Games is evaluating the various components that contribute to the endgame's difficulty, aiming to retain the most authentic experience for players. There are numerous advanced tips available to help players navigate Path of Exile 2’s endgame, such as conquering high-Waystone Tier maps, salvaging Quality gear, and strategically using portals. Despite these resources, many fans find the challenge overwhelming.
Path of Exile 2's endgame content unfolds in the Atlas of Worlds, where players progress by unlocking maps and defeating Beasts. Access to the Atlas is granted upon completing the main campaign on Cruel Difficulty. Each interconnected world within the Atlas presents high-level challenges tailored for advanced, dedicated players, featuring formidable bosses, complex maps, and the need for robust builds enhanced by gear and skill augmentations.
