The Massive Path of Exile 2 Hate is Ridiculous

Summary

In this video, the creator shares early impressions of *Path of Exile 2*, expressing excitement about the game’s complexity while raising several concerns. They highlight frustrations with loot scarcity, the difficulty of Ascension trials, and the steep learning curve in crafting and respec mechanics. Combat design, including a lack of phasing or dodge-roll mechanics, also receives criticism. Despite these issues, the creator emphasizes their enjoyment of the game, enjoying the new features and lore, and hopes Grinding Gear Games will stay true to their vision as the game evolves. Overall, the creator is cautiously optimistic about the future of *PoE 2*.

Takeaways

• 😀 The difficulty curve in *Path of Exile 2* (PoE 2) is steeper than expected, with some players finding the challenge overwhelming, especially when compared to *PoE 1*.
• 😀 Loot scarcity in *PoE 2* is a deliberate design choice, aiming for more meaningful and valuable items, which may initially frustrate players accustomed to *PoE 1*'s abundance of drops.
• 😀 Crafting materials in *PoE 2* are designed to be more valuable, pushing players to engage with loot in a more intentional and strategic manner rather than just hoarding items.
• 😀 The new trial system in *PoE 2*, such as the Trial of Seimas and Trial of Chaos, has received mixed reactions due to its perceived difficulty and time-consuming nature.
• 😀 Players express frustration over high respec costs for passive skill tree adjustments, which can be a barrier for experimenting with different builds.
• 😀 *PoE 2* introduces changes to combat mechanics, including the inability to phase through monsters easily, which some players find challenging but is intended to make combat feel more tactical.
• 😀 Environmental objects in *PoE 2* can currently only be interacted with by clicking on them, which some players find annoying because they cannot walk away easily after reading or interacting with these objects.
• 😀 Many players in Early Access are comparing *PoE 2* to *PoE 1*, sometimes feeling disappointed due to difficulty changes and system updates, but it’s important to recognize that *PoE 2* is a different game with a new vision.
• 😀 While some aspects of *PoE 2* might need tuning, the core philosophy of scarcity, challenge, and progression should be maintained to preserve the game’s integrity.
• 😀 The Early Access stage of *PoE 2* is about testing and refining, and while feedback is valuable, it’s crucial not to let player demands undermine the game’s intended direction.

Q & A

What is the primary complaint about loot drops in Path of Exile 2?

The main complaint is that loot drops in Path of Exile 2, especially in the early game, are not as abundant as in Path of Exile 1. Some players feel that they aren't receiving enough valuable items, and there is frustration over the lack of clarity regarding how to obtain loot and crafting materials.

How does the speaker respond to concerns about loot scarcity in the game?

The speaker argues that the scarcity of loot is intentional, designed to make items more meaningful. They suggest that players are not engaging with the crafting system properly, and that items should be used in crafting rather than just picked up. They believe the game's design encourages players to interact more with the loot system, which some players may not fully understand.

What is the speaker's stance on the new Ascension trials (Trial of the Seimas and Trial of Chaos)?

The speaker believes that the new Ascension trials are deeper, more engaging, and more challenging than the Labyrinth in Path of Exile 1. While some players complain about their difficulty, the speaker feels these trials are well-designed and should remain challenging, as they encourage players to engage more strategically with the game.

Why do some players dislike the new Ascension trials compared to the Labyrinth in Path of Exile 1?

Players seem to dislike the new trials because they are more involved and challenging. Unlike the Labyrinth, which many players found repetitive and easy, the new trials require more time and effort to complete, with a higher chance of failure, which some players find frustrating.

What issue is raised regarding the respec system in Path of Exile 2?

Some players feel that the respec costs for changing passive skill tree points are too high, particularly in the early game. They believe this punishment discourages experimentation and flexibility. However, the speaker disagrees, stating that respec costs should scale over time and that there needs to be a weight to character progression.

How does the speaker view the complaints about the difficulty of Path of Exile 2 compared to Path of Exile 1?

The speaker argues that many complaints stem from players expecting Path of Exile 2 to be just an improved version of Path of Exile 1. They emphasize that *Path of Exile 2* is a completely different game with a new design philosophy, and difficulty is part of the engaging experience. Players need to adjust to the new system, which is meant to be more rewarding and less about rushing through content.

What is the speaker’s opinion on the feedback from the Path of Exile subreddit?

The speaker believes that the vocal group on the *Path of Exile* subreddit is overly negative, mainly because they are comparing *Path of Exile 2* to *Path of Exile 1*. They argue that these players fail to understand that *Path of Exile 2* is a fresh start with new mechanics, and that early feedback should not dictate the game's future direction.

How does the speaker feel about changes suggested by players regarding combat mechanics?

The speaker is firmly against adding features like 'phasing' (the ability to pass through monsters) or other changes that could make combat easier. They argue that the current design, where players must face monsters directly, is crucial to the game's difficulty and tactical depth. Allowing players to dodge through enemies would fundamentally change the core experience of the game.

What does the speaker think about the game’s progression speed?

The speaker believes that the pacing of progression in *Path of Exile 2* is slower than in *Path of Exile 1* because the game encourages players to engage more with the mechanics, loot, and crafting systems. They argue that some players are frustrated because they expect to race through the content like they did in *Path of Exile 1*, but the new game is designed to be more deliberate and engaging.

What are the speaker’s final thoughts on how *Path of Exile 2* should evolve?

The speaker urges *Grinding Gear Games* to stay true to their vision for *Path of Exile 2*, despite the vocal complaints from some parts of the community. They believe that early access is an opportunity to fine-tune the game, but the core design—more meaningful loot, challenging gameplay, and slower progression—should remain intact. The speaker is optimistic about future updates and content expansions.