Unmasking the Epic Battle: Path of Exile 2 vs Diablo 4

Highlights

Path of Exile 2 and Diablo 4 may seem like fierce competitors, but there is room in the gaming industry for multiple successful live-service games.

Path of Exile 2 may surpass Diablo 4 in certain aspects like its extensive class customization options and a captivating campaign featuring over a hundred distinct bosses. However, it's premature to declare a definite victor between the two games as they both might encounter obstacles with regards to their seasonal content and endgame sections. These games can coexist harmoniously and even impact each other's future updates and rectifications.

Following the recent release of new footage and information about Path of Exile 2, players quickly noticed the similarities and differences it has with Diablo 4. Diablo 4 had initially received positive reception, but faced issues with its first season launch. Grinding Gear Games, the creators of Path of Exile, are well aware of the challenges and successes of seasonal content and the live-service model, as they have implemented it in the original game and plan to do so in the sequel. Diablo 4's Season of the Malignant exposed underlying problems with the game's balance, leading some to already refer to Path of Exile 2 as the "Diablo 4 killer."

This is a common occurrence in the world of video games, especially with live-service games. Destiny 2 is a prominent example of this phenomenon. Initially, Destiny 2 did not have a seasonal model, but later embraced it. Despite multiple games being touted as "Destiny 2 killers," the game has persevered. It is likely that a similar situation will occur with Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2.

Path of Exile 2 and Diablo 4 Don't Have to be in Brutal Competition With One Another

Destiny 2's continued presence in the gaming industry is not a result of other games' failures, but rather a reflection of the industry's ability to accommodate multiple successful stories, whether they are live service games or not. This trend is likely to be seen with Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2 as well, despite their differences. On paper, Path of Exile 2 appears to surpass Diablo 4 with its extensive customization options and a campaign featuring over a hundred unique bosses.

Additionally, Path of Exile 2 boasts an advantage over Diablo 4 in terms of classes, offering a total of 12 with three Ascendancy classes each compared to Diablo 4's five. However, it remains to be seen how Path of Exile 2 will handle its endgame sections and seasonal content, which typically involve "Leagues" lasting three months and introducing fresh gameplay mechanics and exclusive rewards.

Blizzard's approach to Diablo 4 has received criticism from players due to the lackluster offerings of its battle pass and unappealing seasonal additions. However, considering the experience with the original Path of Exile, the sequel may encounter similar issues with Diablo 4's Eternal and seasonal characters being the only way to access future seasons. This makes it difficult to declare Path of Exile 2 as the clear "winner" between the two games, especially when considering Diablo 4's unique advantages and the potential for future expansions. It's worth noting that Path of Exile 2's closed beta will not launch until June 2024, which is still a considerable time away. Ultimately, there are both pros and cons to playing Diablo 4 or Path of Exile 2, and this doesn't mean that only one of them can succeed. In fact, they have the potential to influence each other through updates and even learn from each other's mistakes. This demonstrates that not only can they coexist peacefully, but they can also thrive simultaneously in the market.

Path of Exile 2 is in development.