Path of Exile

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

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,117 reviews

gameplay36 positive mentions

grinding76 negative mentions

Endless replay value with a vast skill tree and character customization options.
Completely free-to-play with no pay-to-win elements; microtransactions are purely cosmetic.
Active and supportive developer team that consistently releases new content and updates.

Steep learning curve that can be overwhelming for new players, often requiring external guides.
Performance issues and lag can detract from the gameplay experience, especially in party settings.
The trading system can be cumbersome, lacking a convenient auction house feature.

gameplay
130 mentions
28 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
8 % negative 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. However, it presents a steep learning curve that can be daunting for newcomers, with complex mechanics that may feel overwhelming at first. While the moment-to-moment gameplay can be seen as simplistic, the overall experience is engaging and rewarding, especially for players willing to invest time in mastering the game's systems.
- “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.”
- “Unfortunately, the actual moment-to-moment gameplay is rather lackluster and simple.”
story
102 mentions
35 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story in Path of Exile is generally praised for its depth and engaging themes, with many players appreciating the dark and gritty atmosphere that complements the lore. However, criticisms arise regarding its brevity, as the main storyline can be completed in about 10 hours, leading to repetitive gameplay through multiple difficulty levels. While some players find the narrative compelling and immersive, others feel it lacks strong writing and memorable elements, suggesting that more diverse quests and character-specific storylines could enhance the experience.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Unlike other ARPGs of similar play style, Path of Exile is able to effectively deliver a quality story along with the extremely well done gameplay.”
- “The only thing I didn't like was that the story was so short (4 arcs which is like 4-5 hours each if you take your time and explore everything) and then they would just restart you into a more difficult mode.”
- “- weak writing and utterly forgettable story”
- “Unfortunately, the lack of any kind of overall story (at least from what I've gone through) leaves it a big drab for me.”
grinding
76 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring players to invest countless hours into farming for gear and levels. Many reviewers feel that the difficulty is artificially inflated to prolong gameplay, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment. While some players appreciate the grind as a core element of the genre, the overwhelming consensus is that it detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a chore than a rewarding challenge.
- “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.”
graphics
68 mentions
38 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the dark, gritty atmosphere and artistic design that enhances the overall experience. While some users find the visuals beautiful and well-integrated with the game's themes, others criticize them as bland or lacking variety. Overall, the graphics are considered good for a free-to-play title, with a score averaging around 7/10, though they may require a powerful computer to run optimally.
- “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.”
- “Bland graphics, bad animations, lack of variety in mobs, laughable tryhardy currency system, and the over reliance on spamming a single ability.”
- “Graphically, the game isn't absolutely spectacular.”
- “9/10 (graphics are good but not great).”
music
25 mentions
68 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its epic soundtrack, which effectively complements the dark and somber atmosphere, earning high ratings around 9/10. While some reviews note that sound effects are passable and not particularly memorable, the overall composition and depth of the soundtrack are highlighted as extraordinary, enhancing the gaming experience significantly. Many players express a desire to access the soundtrack outside of the game, indicating its strong impact.
- “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.”
- “The visuals and soundtracks are extraordinary.”
replayability
20 mentions
50 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with players praising its endless builds, evolving gameplay, and randomly generated levels that keep the experience fresh. While some note that the storyline is immersive, there are concerns about limited replayability in certain aspects, particularly regarding end-game content. Overall, it is highly recommended for those seeking a dynamic and engaging experience in the ARPG genre.
- “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.”
- “Highly replayable, but be ready to learn and start over as you get miles further with game knowledge and a strong build.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Randomly generated levels and items for extreme replayability.”
monetization
20 mentions
20 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The game's monetization model is centered around cosmetic microtransactions, which are purely for vanity items and do not impact gameplay, ensuring a fair experience for all players. While some users find the prices for these items a bit steep, many appreciate that the game remains enjoyable without spending money. Overall, it is a free-to-play title that allows players to engage fully without feeling pressured to purchase additional content.
- “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?”
atmosphere
17 mentions
18 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as dark, gritty, and foreboding, effectively complementing the environments and enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the aesthetic quality and unique feeling of each act, along with well-voiced dialogue that suits the tone. While many find the gloomy atmosphere aesthetically pleasing, some players express a preference for a less somber setting.
- “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 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.”
- “Kinda enjoyed but I don't like the gloomy 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.”
- “A great hack and slash isometric RPG that follows the path and dark atmosphere of Diablo 2 while adding many more skills and lots of user builds to have fun with.”
optimization
14 mentions
29 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with some players reporting serious performance issues and poor optimization, while others praise its current state as well-optimized and running smoothly. However, the demanding visual effects can hinder performance, particularly for those with less powerful hardware, making it challenging to group up effectively. Overall, optimization appears to vary significantly based on individual setups and gameplay choices.
- “It's free, it's 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 development
8 mentions
38 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The character development in this game is extensive and complex, offering players a unique and customizable experience that stands out in a market often favoring simplified systems. The ability to alter character progression is highly praised, contributing to the game's balance, replayability, and overall enjoyment, with a vast array of options leading to diverse player outcomes.
- “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.”
stability
8 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report that it runs well and is optimized, many others experience frequent bugs, crashes, and performance issues, particularly on lower-end hardware. This has led to significant frustration, with some players needing to reinstall the game to resolve game-breaking bugs. Overall, improvements are needed to enhance the stability and gameplay experience.
- “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, runs great.”
- “The game runs great and is very well optimized.”
- “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. It sucks only having 384 MB of graphics. I've been playing this game at 1-15 FPS, and sometimes it crashes or freezes up, making it unplayable.”
- “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.”
humor
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by a lighthearted community that embraces playful banter, with players finding amusement in the game's mechanics and features. The developers also contribute to the humor by framing certain game elements as intentional design choices to prevent cheating, adding a layer of wit to the experience. Overall, the game fosters a fun and engaging atmosphere where players can enjoy both the gameplay and the camaraderie.
- “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.”