Path of Exile 2 Devs Comment on Endgame Difficulty

Summary

• The Path of Exile 2 developers are standing firm on the game's challenging endgame, despite player feedback.
• Co-director Jonathan Rogers emphasized, "...if you’re dying all the time then you’re probably not ready to keep going up the power curve."
• Players explore the complex Atlas of Worlds in the endgame, facing formidable challenges and bosses.

Path of Exile 2 co-directors Mark Roberts and Jonathan Rogers have addressed the community's concerns about the game's demanding endgame. As a sequel to the beloved 2013 game, Path of Exile 2 introduces a revamped skill system featuring 240 active skill gems and 12 diverse character classes. Upon completing the six-act storyline, players unlock the challenging 100 endgame maps.

Since its early access launch in December 2024, the isometric action RPG has attracted a robust player base. This year, fans eagerly await quality-of-life enhancements while anticipating the full release. Path of Exile 2's first update of 2025, Patch 0.1.0, tackles various bugs and crashes, especially on the PlayStation 5, and improves gameplay mechanics related to monsters, skills, and damage.

In a recent interview with content creators Darth Microtransaction and GhazzyTV, Roberts and Rogers discussed the upcoming Patch 0.1.1 and defended the endgame's difficulty. They emphasized the importance of meaningful consequences in gameplay, stating, "The whole ‘death actually mattering’ thing is actually important. You have to have some level of failure being possible." They argued that altering the design to revert to a single portal system would diminish the game's feel. Players have voiced their frustrations over the endgame's demanding nature, characterized by aggressive monsters and the need for strategic, robust builds.

Path of Exile 2 Devs Defend Endgame's Difficulty

Regarding the experience loss during Atlas runs, Rogers clarified, “It’s keeping you in the place where you’re supposed to be, as in if you’re dying all the time then you’re probably not ready to keep going up the power curve.” The team at Grinding Gear Games is actively reviewing the elements that contribute to the endgame's difficulty, aiming to preserve an authentic experience. Despite advanced tips available for navigating high-Waystone Tier maps, salvaging Quality gear, and using portals effectively, many players still find the challenge overwhelming.

Path of Exile 2's endgame unfolds within the Atlas of Worlds, where players aim to progress by unlocking maps and defeating the Beasts that inhabit them. Access to the Atlas is granted after completing the main campaign on Cruel Difficulty. Each interconnected world within the Atlas presents high-level challenges tailored for dedicated players, featuring tough bosses, intricate maps, and the need for optimized builds through gear and skill enhancements.