Path of Exile vs Diablo 4 (From the Diablo Fanboy)

Summary

In this video, the speaker compares **Diablo 4** and **Path of Exile**, sharing their experiences as a casual gamer who’s spent hundreds of hours in both games. While they initially loved **Diablo 4** for its story and accessibility, they grew frustrated with its itemization and limited endgame content. After trying **Path of Exile**, they were impressed by its depth and complexity, despite the steep learning curve. The speaker acknowledges that both games cater to different types of players and expresses hope for improvements in both titles, especially with the upcoming **Path of Exile 2** and future **Diablo 4** updates.

Takeaways

• 😀 Diablo 4 is an accessible ARPG for casual players, offering a streamlined experience with engaging campaign content and seasonal updates.
• 😀 The endgame content in Diablo 4, including Nightmare Dungeons, can feel repetitive and lacks long-term engagement, especially for players who crave deeper gameplay mechanics.
• 😀 Path of Exile is a complex ARPG designed for players who want deep mechanics, endless build possibilities, and a challenging progression system.
• 😀 The onboarding process in Path of Exile is harsh, with a steep learning curve that often causes new players to quit before reaching the endgame.
• 😀 Path of Exile’s Atlas system is a standout feature, offering players a wide range of endgame options and allowing them to focus on different mechanics like mapping, crafting, and heists.
• 😀 Diablo 4’s monetization strategy, particularly the high prices of cosmetic items, feels out of place given the game’s full-price tag, leading to player dissatisfaction.
• 😀 Path of Exile, while also having expensive cosmetics, justifies its pricing more due to the game being free-to-play and offering deep, rewarding content.
• 😀 Diablo 4’s story and lore are more cohesive and accessible, making it easier for casual players to dive in and enjoy the narrative experience.
• 😀 Path of Exile’s complexity, while daunting for newcomers, is deeply rewarding for those who invest the time to master its systems and explore all the game has to offer.
• 😀 The two games cater to different audiences: Diablo 4 is ideal for casual players looking for a quick, enjoyable experience, while Path of Exile is suited for hardcore players seeking depth and long-term engagement.

Q & A

What are the main differences between Diablo 4 and Path of Exile in terms of gameplay?

The main difference lies in the depth and complexity of Path of Exile compared to Diablo 4. Diablo 4 is more streamlined and designed for casual players who are happy with a shorter playtime, offering a better campaign experience with a more cohesive story. In contrast, Path of Exile is a much more complex game that caters to players who enjoy deep mechanics, extensive currency systems, and min-maxing, requiring a higher investment of time and effort.

Why does the narrator feel burnt out after playing Diablo 4 for a while?

The narrator feels burnt out due to the lack of substantial content in Diablo 4's endgame. The game originally directed players to run Nightmare Dungeons, but this felt repetitive and didn't offer much variety. Despite improvements in later seasons, such as Season 2 introducing vampire powers and outdoor events, the underlying issue of poor itemization remained, making the endgame experience feel tedious.

What does the narrator mean by 'itemization' in Diablo 4, and why is it a problem?

Itemization refers to the way items and loot are managed in the game, such as how they are dropped, sorted, and used. In Diablo 4, the process of sorting through items after a dungeon run became a chore for the narrator, with the inventory system being cumbersome and not user-friendly. This made the game less enjoyable, especially when dealing with excess loot that didn't feel rewarding.

How does Path of Exile compare in terms of complexity?

Path of Exile is described as a much more complex game than Diablo 4. It features a vast array of mechanics and systems that continually surprise the player. The complexity comes from intricate systems like skill points, crafting, and the endgame content, such as the Atlas Tree, which can keep players engaged for hours. For players willing to push through its brutal learning curve, it offers an incredibly rewarding experience with unmatched depth.

What is the narrator's opinion on the onboarding experience for new players in Path of Exile?

The narrator finds the onboarding process in Path of Exile to be harsh and not beginner-friendly. The game throws a lot at players early on, which can be overwhelming. Many new players quit before even reaching Act 2, which the narrator believes is a shame because the game offers incredible depth for those who persist through the initial difficulty.

How does the narrator describe the difference in appeal between Diablo 4 and Path of Exile?

Diablo 4 is described as appealing to casual gamers who are happy with a 20-30 hour experience before moving on. It’s a game designed for short bursts of enjoyment with a focus on storytelling and a more approachable gameplay loop. Path of Exile, on the other hand, is geared toward hardcore players who are invested in deep mechanics, currency systems, and long-term progression, making it less accessible to casual gamers.

What is the narrator's perspective on the microtransactions in Diablo 4 and Path of Exile?

The narrator finds Diablo 4's microtransactions excessive, with in-game items like armor sets costing up to $50, which feels unfair given the game’s full $60 price tag. The high prices of microtransactions in Diablo 4 make it feel insulting, especially when compared to other games like Hell Divers 2, which offer cheaper microtransactions. While Path of Exile also has expensive skins, the narrator feels they are more acceptable due to the game being free-to-play and the significant amount of content it offers.

What are the narrator's hopes for the future of Diablo 4 and Path of Exile?

The narrator hopes that Diablo 4 will address its itemization problems and provide a better endgame experience, as well as maintain strong storytelling. They also hope that Path of Exile 2 will continue to build on the game's impressive depth while improving the new player onboarding experience to make it more accessible to casual players. The narrator is optimistic about both games’ futures, despite their current flaws.

How does the narrator compare the campaign experiences in Diablo 4 and Path of Exile?

The narrator believes Diablo 4 has a better campaign overall, with a more streamlined and cohesive way of delivering its story and lore. In contrast, while Path of Exile has a rich world and narrative, its focus is more on gameplay mechanics than storytelling. The complexity of Path of Exile’s mechanics often takes precedence over its narrative.

What is the significance of the Atlas Tree in Path of Exile’s endgame?

The Atlas Tree is a key element of Path of Exile’s endgame, allowing players to customize and shape their experience by selecting different mechanics to focus on. This mechanic blew the narrator away because it adds an immense amount of depth and replayability, offering nearly infinite possibilities for how players can approach the endgame. The narrator compares it to the feeling of discovering new layers to the game that continually surprise them.