As the release of Path of Exile 2 (POE2) draws nearer, the buzz in the action RPG community grows louder by the day. Developed by Grinding Gear Games, POE2 is more than just a sequel—it is a reimagining of what an ARPG can be in the modern gaming era. With a complete visual overhaul, deeply refined gameplay mechanics, reworked class design, and a renewed focus on player agency, POE2 isn’t just raising the bar—it’s reinventing it.

A Legacy Reforged

The original POE2 Currency, released in 2013, carved out a distinct place in the ARPG landscape, rivaling titans like Diablo III with its complex build systems, dark gothic aesthetics, and player-friendly monetization model. Over the years, the game evolved through dozens of expansions, leagues, and balance changes, fostering a hardcore community that valued its depth and challenge.

However, with over a decade of content layered onto its foundation, the original game became daunting to new players and increasingly difficult to iterate on without fundamental restructuring. Path of Exile 2 is Grinding Gear’s answer: a clean slate that honors the legacy while boldly stepping into the future.

Dual Campaigns, One Universe

One of the most ambitious features of POE2 is its dual-campaign structure. Rather than replacing the original campaign, POE2 will coexist with it. Players will be able to choose between the old and new campaigns, both of which feed into the same endgame system—the famed Atlas of Worlds.

This approach is groundbreaking in the genre. It allows Grinding Gear to keep veteran content alive while offering a fresh narrative and progression system for newcomers. The sequel’s campaign will feature seven acts, set years after the events of the original. It introduces a darker, more grounded story steeped in themes of political corruption, tribal warfare, and the haunting consequences of divine power.

Visual Overhaul: A New Standard of Grit and Beauty

From the very first gameplay reveals, it was clear that POE2 would be a visual leap forward. The new engine supports physically-based rendering, dynamic lighting, and a host of modern graphical effects that breathe life into Wraeclast’s war-torn world.

Armor clinks realistically, enemies dismember with satisfying gore physics, and spell effects look more devastating than ever. The environments are richly detailed, often telling their own stories through background motion, debris, and NPC activity. This overhaul doesn’t just improve fidelity—it enhances immersion and storytelling.

Reimagined Class and Skill Systems

One of the most substantial changes in POE2 lies in its revamped character progression and class structure. While the original game featured seven classes and an enormous passive skill tree, POE2 introduces 12 new character classes—two for each of the original’s class archetypes. These new classes bring unique animations, attack styles, and skill introductions tailored to different player fantasies.

Moreover, the iconic skill gem system has undergone a major redesign. In the original, skill gems were socketed into gear, and support gems modified them. This led to heavy gear dependency and frequent frustrations when upgrading items. POE2 solves this with a new socketing system where support gems are directly attached to active skill gems, turning each skill into a self-contained, upgradeable toolkit. This change drastically reduces friction in build crafting and allows players to focus more on gameplay than gear Tetris.

Animations and Combat: Fluid, Tactical, Responsive

Combat in POE2 is smoother, more deliberate, and visually impactful. All player and enemy animations have been rebuilt from the ground up using motion capture, leading to a sense of physicality and weight unseen in most ARPGs. Dodge rolls, weapon swings, and spellcasts feel tighter and more satisfying, with more readable telegraphs and enemy wind-ups.

Grinding Gear Games has also placed an emphasis on tactical engagement. Bosses have longer, more varied phases, with combat mechanics that demand positioning, timing, and skill mastery. The goal is to reward not just build strength but also player performance.

Passive Skill Tree and Ascendancies: Still Deep, Now Smarter

The massive passive skill tree that has become POE’s signature feature remains a central part of POE2—but with improvements. The layout is more intuitive, new keystone abilities offer more diverse playstyles, and each node now carries greater weight. The team has also introduced an improved interface to help players plan builds more easily, making theorycrafting less intimidating.

Ascendancy classes—the specialized sub-classes unlocked through the campaign—have also been expanded and rebalanced. POE2 aims to encourage more experimentation and viable off-meta builds, giving players even more freedom to create something truly unique.

Gear Progression and Economy

Loot remains king in POE2. Grinding Gear Games continues to champion its deep, deterministic crafting system, giving players control over how they build and refine their gear. However, the sequel introduces smarter loot drops and improved item filters to reduce the overwhelming flood of irrelevant gear.

Crafting has been made more intuitive without sacrificing depth, and several new crafting orbs and mechanics have been introduced to diversify item creation. Trade, a central pillar of the POE economy, is also receiving quality-of-life updates that allow for smoother interactions between players.

The Return of Hardcore Endgame

While the campaign lays the foundation, it’s the endgame that defines POE’s staying power. POE2 continues to support the Atlas of Worlds system, now refined to allow deeper customization of maps and boss fights. Players can tailor their experience toward loot, experience, or challenge by influencing the types of encounters they prefer.

New endgame bosses and mechanics are being added to complement the new campaign, ensuring that the journey continues well beyond the final act. Leagues—the seasonal challenges that regularly shake up POE’s meta—will continue in POE2, offering fresh mechanics, exclusive rewards, and community competitions.

Monetization and Player Respect

One of POE’s most celebrated features has always been its fair monetization model. Grinding Gear Games has repeatedly promised that POE2 will follow the same philosophy: a completely free-to-play game with zero pay-to-win elements. All microtransactions will remain cosmetic or convenience-based, such as stash tabs or character effects.

This continued commitment to ethical monetization sets POE2 apart from many modern live-service games and reinforces the developers’ bond with their community.

A Community-Driven Vision

Perhaps more than any other developer in the ARPG space, Grinding Gear Games has maintained a dialogue with its player base. The evolution of POE2 is deeply influenced by community feedback, veteran player insight, and years of league data.

The team regularly hosts livestreams, patch note breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes showcases that not only inform the community but invite them into the process. POE2 feels like a game made with the players, not just for them—a distinction that’s increasingly rare in today’s industry.

A Genre-Defining Sequel

Path of Exile 2 isn’t just a sequel—it’s a statement. It signals the maturation of a franchise that has grown from an indie darling into a genre-defining titan. It aims to balance depth with accessibility, power with mastery, and tradition with innovation.

For fans of the original game, it promises a revitalized experience. For newcomers, it offers an exciting entry point into one of the most rewarding ARPGs ever made. And for the genre as a whole, it represents a challenge—a new gold standard that other developers will have to meet.

As the release date approaches, expectations are sky-high. But if Grinding Gear Games can deliver on even half of what they’ve promised, POE 2 Currency Orbs may not only meet those expectations—it might redefine what players expect from an action RPG in the first place.