Path of Exile

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 554 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • grinding
Path of Exile Game Cover
Path of Exile was a great game in 2013, but a slew of free expansions have only made it better. It’s one of the best ARPGs out there, and absolutely the best value.
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Path of Exile is a free-to-play, dark fantasy action RPG with extensive customization and a complex skill tree. Explore a grim Albertan world, battling monsters and bosses to acquire powerful loot. A robust online economy and competitive PvP scene complement the engaging story and challenging gameplay.

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Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 554 reviews
gameplay18 positive mentions
grinding38 negative mentions
  • Endless replay value with a vast skill tree and character customization options.
  • Free to play with no pay-to-win elements, allowing for a fair gaming experience.
  • Consistent updates and community engagement from developers, keeping the game fresh and exciting.
  • Steep learning curve that can be overwhelming for new players.
  • Performance issues and lag can detract from the gameplay experience.
  • Lack of player interaction outside of hub towns, making the game feel lonely at times.
  • gameplay65 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is highly praised for its depth, variety, and regular updates through new leagues that introduce fresh mechanics and challenges, making it engaging for both new and veteran players. However, the steep learning curve and complex mechanics can be daunting for newcomers, and some players find the moment-to-moment gameplay to be somewhat lackluster. Overall, the game offers a rewarding experience with a strong community and developer support, though it may require significant time investment to master.

    • “The gameplay is absolutely fantastic.”
    • “One of the biggest pros is that the developer pushes new content out regularly in the form of leagues, which adds new game mechanics to freshen the gameplay.”
    • “It's so awesome, very deep mechanics, smooth gameplay, huge amount of fresh ideas for RPG.”
    • “The only reason I have deducted points from the gameplay is that it can be extremely daunting for newer players and the learning curve is quite steep.”
    • “At times the game feels downright hostile to new players as there are plenty of ways to permanently mess up your character build and the game does a rather terrible job of explaining many of the game mechanics.”
    • “I can tell there's a great game here, but it's hidden behind a ton of obtuse mechanics that take a while to decipher.”
  • story51 mentions

    The story in the game is generally well-received, with many players praising its depth, dark themes, and immersive lore, often comparing it favorably to other ARPGs. However, some critiques highlight its brevity, with the main storyline being completed in around 10 hours, and the need for players to engage with NPCs and environmental storytelling to fully appreciate the narrative. While the writing quality varies, the overall consensus is that the story is compelling and enhances the gameplay experience, despite some repetitiveness in quest structure.

    • “The game puts you into the role of one of seven possible characters, each with their own story, that has been exiled from their homeland and is forced to try and survive in the harsh and unforgiving terrain of Wraeclast.”
    • “Path of Exile's story is pretty good and fits the surroundings.”
    • “It has limited replayability though, however the storyline is one of the most immersive I have ever seen, it just blew me away and as it gets to its ending it really explores the deepest themes of human existence, morality, and transhumanism.”
    • “The storyline is too short and can be finished in 10 hours.”
    • “- weak writing and utterly forgettable story.”
    • “But the story just didn't grab my attention that well.”
  • grinding38 mentions

    The reviews highlight that grinding is a central and often tedious aspect of the game, with players expressing frustration over the extensive time required to farm items and levels. While some enjoy the challenge and depth it brings, many feel that the grinding is excessive and artificially inflates difficulty, making the experience less enjoyable, especially for newcomers. Overall, the game appeals to those who appreciate grinding mechanics, but it may deter players seeking a more streamlined experience.

    • “You either need to spend days farming items that grant you respec points or you can start fresh with a new character.”
    • “But it just keeps getting more grindy and tedious, and the difficulty is artificial and there's not much to learn that makes it easier.”
    • “The seasonal aspect of the game is cool, but realistically it just means you're spending the first week or two every season just grinding the same three areas over and over until you reach level 80, at which point you're ready to start grinding the maps for crafting material that you sell to get better items.”
  • graphics34 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the dark, gritty art style and atmospheric design that enhances the overall experience. While some users note that the visuals are not groundbreaking, they appreciate the aesthetic appeal and the effort put into details like weather effects. Overall, the graphics are considered good for a free-to-play title, though some players mention performance issues on lower-end systems.

    • “Although, as stated, it is far from graphically superior, the graphics and the design work really mesh well with this game and set the tone the whole way through.”
    • “It really works alongside the dark, foreboding land of Wraeclast and meshes extremely well with the environments that the player is tracking through to give the game an atmosphere that is really quite gloomy, yet aesthetically pleasing.”
    • “The game's graphics and atmosphere are gritty and dark, yet all acts have a very unique feeling to them and the devs have really put a lot of effort into realistic weather effects.”
    • “Graphically, the game isn't absolutely spectacular.”
    • “Bland graphics, bad animations, lack of variety in mobs, laughable tryhardy currency system, and the over reliance on spamming a single ability.”
    • “9/10 (graphics are good but not great).”
  • music12 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised, featuring an epic and fitting soundtrack that enhances the dark and somber atmosphere, with many users noting its quality and memorability. While some sound effects are considered passable, the overall sound design, including the music, contributes significantly to the game's immersive experience. Players express a desire to access the soundtrack outside of the game, highlighting its appeal.

    • “The music is rather good and fits the dark and somber mood of the game.”
    • “The atmosphere, music, and pace are all excellent, and I've tried out other hack 'n' slash games (like Torchlight), but none of them come close to this.”
    • “Has an amazing soundtrack and interesting and deep lore (although a lot of it is hidden in the wikia).”
    • “Sound effects and music are passable, but not particularly memorable.”
    • “Around 5 hours of soundtrack.”
    • “Sound/music is not impressive.”
  • replayability10 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, featuring endless builds, evolving gameplay, and randomly generated levels that keep the experience fresh. Players appreciate the depth of character development and the engaging end-game map system, although some note that the storyline, while immersive, may limit replay value for those seeking varied gameplay. Despite this, the game remains a strong recommendation for its addictive nature and community-driven elements.

    • “Endless replay value, endless builds, endless wins.”
    • “The ability for players to change the direction of character development is really quite unparalleled, and I cannot recommend this game highly enough for balance, replayability, and sheer addictive enjoyment.”
    • “A big problem with loot-based ARPGs is that the end-game is usually underwhelming, which limits the replay value.”
    • “It has limited replayability, though the storyline is one of the most immersive I have ever seen. It just blew me away, and as it gets to its ending, it really explores the deepest themes of human existence, morality, and transhumanism.”
    • “The game is ever-changing and ever-evolving, which creates an added layer of replayability on top of all the other layers that exist within the ARPG genre.”
  • monetization10 mentions

    The game's monetization model is primarily focused on cosmetic microtransactions, allowing players to enjoy the experience without spending money. While some users find the prices for vanity items a bit high, the game is not pay-to-win and does not pressure players into making purchases, making it a fair free-to-play title. Overall, players can engage fully without needing to invest financially.

    • “Probably the only free game where the microtransactions are purely for vanity items.”
    • “There are microtransactions in the game, but you can still have an enjoyable experience without using them.”
    • “It's not pay to win and doesn't shove the cosmetic microtransactions down your throat.”
    • “The microtransactions do not give a gameplay advantage.”
    • “Do you want a game where the only microtransactions are cosmetics?”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as dark, gritty, and aesthetically pleasing, effectively complementing the foreboding environments of Wraeclast. Players appreciate the high-quality graphics, well-voiced dialogue, and immersive music that enhance the overall experience, although some may find the gloominess off-putting. Overall, the game's atmosphere stands out in the hack 'n slash genre, with unique elements and realistic weather effects contributing to its depth.

    • “-graphically, this game is gorgeous for an ARPG, especially if you like a dark, gritty atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere, music, and pace are all excellent, and I've tried out other hack 'n' slash games (like Torchlight), but none of them come close to this.”
    • “It really works alongside the dark, foreboding land of Wraeclast and meshes extremely well with the environments that the player is tracking through to give the game an atmosphere that is really quite gloomy, yet aesthetically pleasing.”
    • “Graphically, this game is gorgeous for an ARPG, especially if you like a dark, gritty atmosphere.”
    • “The game's graphics and atmosphere are gritty and dark, yet all acts have a very unique feeling to them and the devs have really put a lot of effort into realistic weather effects.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some players report excellent performance and good optimization, others experience serious performance issues and poor optimization, particularly when it comes to high-end visual effects that can hinder gameplay on less powerful systems. Proper skill tree optimization is also crucial for success against tougher enemies, adding another layer of complexity to the overall experience.

    • “Level up your masters which will reward you with many kinds of options, gear optimization, Atziri (end-game boss), and labyrinths which will reward you with powerful passives in the ascendancy tree.”
    • “It's free, and it seems to be very well optimized at the moment.”
    • “The game runs great and is very well optimized.”
    • “The game also suffers from rather serious performance issues and terrible optimization.”
    • “Game performance and extreme over-the-top VFX on skills make it difficult to group up unless you have a supercomputer.”
    • “If your skill tree is not optimized properly towards what types of spells and attacks you plan on doing, then you will not be able to defeat the higher tier enemies and end up grinding hard.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in this game is highly praised for its complexity and depth, offering players a unique and customizable experience that stands out in a market often favoring simplified systems. The ability to influence character progression significantly enhances replayability and enjoyment, making it a standout feature that is highly recommended by users.

    • “On the other hand, it's quite refreshing to see a complex character development system in this day and age when most games go for the dumbed-down approach instead.”
    • “The ability for players to change the direction of character development is really quite unparalleled, and I cannot recommend this game highly enough for balance, replayability, and sheer addictive enjoyment.”
    • “The customization and character development opportunities are so diverse and varied that I doubt you could get the same player outcomes if you tried; the variables are just astounding.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report excellent optimization and smooth performance, others experience frequent bugs and game-breaking issues that hinder progress. Additionally, performance can be heavily impacted by hardware limitations, leading to low frame rates and crashes for some users. Overall, the game shows potential but requires further stability improvements.

    • “The game runs great and is very well optimized.”
    • “Classic Diablo-esque feel; skill trees look like a map of the stars—there are so many options, and it runs great.”
    • “The game is extremely buggy, with near-constant issues. I struggled to get as far as I did, and now a true game-breaking bug has me reinstalling the game every time it occurs.”
    • “I love the game, but I need a better computer to run most of it. With only 384 MB of graphics, I often experience 1-15 FPS, and sometimes the game crashes or freezes, making it unplayable. I hope the developers continue to improve the game experience.”
    • “The stability issues are frustrating; the game frequently crashes and has numerous bugs that hinder gameplay.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by a lighthearted community that embraces fun interactions, with players finding amusement in the game's mechanics and features. The playful tone is evident in the way players engage with the game, making it accessible and enjoyable even for free players. Overall, the humor contributes positively to the gaming experience.

    • “Helpful, passionate, and well-humored community of players.”
    • “Skilling is funny; you can almost do everything you want, and even as a free player, you can reach a good power level, but well, optic effects cost as usual.”
    • “And now, something funny: ggg declares this as a feature to prevent cheating.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

62% average critic score

Buy Path of Exile

Play time

78hMedian play time
383hAverage play time
29hMain story
1223hCompletionist
60-80hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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