Summary
- The Path of Exile 2 developers are standing firm on the challenging endgame, despite player feedback.
- Co-director Jonathan Rogers emphasized, "...if you’re dying all the time then you’re probably not ready to keep going up the power curve."
- Players must navigate the complex Atlas of Worlds in the endgame, tackling advanced challenges and formidable bosses.
Path of Exile 2 co-directors Mark Roberts and Jonathan Rogers have addressed the community's concerns about the game's demanding endgame. As a sequel to the acclaimed 2013 game, Path of Exile 2 introduces a revamped skill system featuring 240 active skill gems and 12 unique character classes. After completing the six-act narrative, players are thrust into the grueling challenge of 100 endgame maps.
Since its early access launch in December 2024, the isometric action RPG has attracted a robust player base. The year ahead is set to bring significant quality-of-life enhancements as fans eagerly await the full release. Path of Exile 2's first update of 2025, Patch 0.1.0, has already tackled a range of bugs and crashes, especially on the PlayStation 5, and refined aspects of 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 defended the endgame's difficulty. They stressed the importance of meaningful death, stating, “The whole ‘death actually mattering’ thing is actually important. You have to have some level of failure being possible,” and highlighted that reducing the challenge, such as reverting to a one-portal system, would alter the game's essence. Players have previously voiced their struggles with the endgame, which features demanding builds and swift monsters, making strategic gameplay a formidable challenge.
Path of Exile 2 Devs Defend Endgame's Difficulty
Regarding the loss of EXP during an Atlas run, Rogers noted, “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.” The team at Grinding Gear Games is actively evaluating the various elements contributing to endgame difficulty to ensure the most authentic experience for players. Despite numerous advanced tips available to help navigate Path of Exile 2’s endgame—such as mastering high-Waystone Tier maps, salvaging Quality gear, and strategically using portals—many fans continue to find the challenge overwhelming.
Path of Exile 2’s endgame unfolds within the Atlas of Worlds, where players aim to progress by unlocking maps and defeating the Beasts that inhabit them. 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 dedicated players, including tough bosses, intricate maps, and the need to optimize robust builds through gear and skill enhancements.
