'Path of Exile 2' shows many gamers still want DEPTH...

Summary

The video critiques the gaming industry's trend of oversimplifying mechanics to appeal to a broader audience. Highlighting AAA titles like *Dragon Age: The Veilguard*, *God of War Ragnarok*, and *Assassin’s Creed Valhalla*, the speaker argues that this approach sacrifices depth and challenge. In contrast, *Path of Exile 2* is praised for its complexity, rewarding players who invest in understanding its deep skill trees and intricate mechanics. The speaker is excited about *Path of Exile 2*'s potential to redefine ARPGs, emphasizing the need for more games with substance and intentional design.

Takeaways

• 😀 Path of Exile 2's complexity and depth are highlighted, with a focus on the intricate skill tree and support gem mechanics.
• 😀 Unlike games with shallow skill trees (e.g., Assassin's Creed Valhalla), Path of Exile requires intentional, strategic decisions that impact gameplay significantly.
• 😀 The skill tree in Path of Exile is expansive, allowing for a highly customized and personalized playstyle.
• 😀 The complexity of Path of Exile’s system, including skill and support gem pairings, is something that excites players looking for depth and challenge.
• 😀 Path of Exile offers a sense of accomplishment through understanding its systems and rewarding players who put time into mastering them.
• 😀 The game is unapologetically complicated, with numerous guides and community resources available to help new players understand its mechanics.
• 😀 Path of Exile 2’s upcoming endgame content is highlighted as something that adds further layers of customization and complexity to the game.
• 😀 The creator is excited about Path of Exile’s depth as a contrast to more simplified RPGs that have flooded the market recently.
• 😀 Path of Exile 2 will launch into early access with a $3 entry fee, with a full free-to-play model expected once it leaves early access.
• 😀 The game is expected to have millions of players, with potential technical challenges during launch, but the creator is hopeful for a smooth experience.
• 😀 The creator, despite not being an ARPG expert, expresses excitement about dedicating time to exploring Path of Exile, anticipating it to be a consuming, rewarding experience.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is comparing the depth and complexity of *Path of Exile 2* to the simplification of modern AAA games like *Dragon Age: The Veil Guard*, *Assassin's Creed Valhalla*, and *God of War Ragnarok*. It highlights the appeal of *Path of Exile 2* for players who seek intricate gameplay systems and meaningful choices.

How does the speaker describe the current trend in modern AAA games?

The speaker describes the current trend in modern AAA games as one of simplification, where games are designed to appeal to a broad audience by dumbing down gameplay, often sacrificing depth and player agency. This trend is seen in titles like *Dragon Age: The Veil Guard* and *Assassin's Creed Valhalla*.

What aspects of *Dragon Age: The Veil Guard* are criticized in the video?

The video criticizes *Dragon Age: The Veil Guard* for its lack of meaningful player agency and the simplification of its narrative and character-building systems. The game’s choices are described as feeling shallow and inconsequential.

What is the significance of *Path of Exile 2*'s skill tree and customization?

*Path of Exile 2* is praised for its highly complex and rewarding skill tree, where every decision can have cascading consequences. Unlike simplified skill trees in other games, this one demands careful planning and offers substantial rewards for players who master it.

How does *Assassin's Creed Valhalla*'s skill tree differ from *Path of Exile 2*?

The *Assassin's Creed Valhalla* skill tree is described as relatively shallow, with many nodes offering minimal benefits, like slight damage increases for specific actions. In contrast, *Path of Exile 2* features a deep, intentional skill tree where each choice significantly impacts the character’s abilities and overall strategy.

Why does the speaker find *Path of Exile 2* appealing despite its complexity?

The speaker finds *Path of Exile 2* appealing because it embraces complexity and challenges players to invest time in understanding its systems. It offers a rich, rewarding experience for those who enjoy deeply customizable gameplay, something that has been lacking in many recent games.

What is the issue with the 'auto-assign' button in *Assassin's Creed Valhalla*?

The 'auto-assign' button in *Assassin's Creed Valhalla* is seen as a symptom of the game's oversimplification. It allows players to bypass thoughtful decision-making when assigning skill points, which undermines the importance of the skill tree and player agency.

How does *Path of Exile 2* reward players for their understanding of the game?

In *Path of Exile 2*, players are rewarded for their understanding of the game's complex systems, particularly the interactions between skills, support gems, and character builds. The more players learn and optimize their builds, the more powerful and effective their characters become, making their time investment highly rewarding.

What is the significance of *Path of Exile 2*'s complexity in the current gaming industry?

*Path of Exile 2*’s complexity stands out in the current gaming industry, where many games are simplified to cater to casual players. The game represents a return to depth and challenge, offering an antidote to the trend of 'dumbing down' games for mass-market appeal.

What kind of content does the speaker recommend to learn more about *Path of Exile 2*?

The speaker recommends watching the *Path of Exile 2* endgame content reveal video, which is an hour and twenty-minute deep dive into the game's mechanics, skill trees, and streamlining features. This video showcases the game's depth while explaining its systems in a more digestible format.