Path of Exile
PoE
Release Date: October 23, 2013
RPG, fantasy, hack'and'slash, free-to-play, isometric view, online, co-op, MMO, action RPG, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
Steam
An online action RPG from Grinding Gear Games, a developer team from New Zealand. The action of Path of Exile is set in a fantasy world which was destroyed by a grand cataclysm. The players assume the role of exiles who try to survive in the dangerous continent of Wraeclast. The gameplay is focused on cooperation in teams of several players that traverse instance-based locations together.
Path of Exile for PC and XONE is an online action RPG developed by Grinding Gear Games. The player assumes the role of a hero who was exiled from his homeland to a dilapidated and hostile continent of Wraeclast. It is only up to the players whether they will join forces with other castoffs in the fantasy post-apocalyptic world, or go on their own against the odds.
Gameplay
The game world is based on instances, which means that after leaving a city (these serve as social hubs), each team traverses an automatically generated land. It's best to have a group consisting of four to eight characters. In this respect, Path of Exile uses the solutions of Guild Wars. Apart from cooperation, we may also take part in a PvP tournament in which we fight other player characters, either 1v1, or in teams.
There are seven character classes available in the game: Marauder, Duelist, Ranger, Shadow, Witch, Templar, and Scion. The last one is unlocked only after we have completed the game on any difficulty level. Each hero is characterized by three traits: strength, dexterity, and intelligence. In Path of Exile, there are no free points for which we can increase character attributes at level advancement. The only way to do this is to choose the adequate items in the development tree.
In Path of Exile, character development is non-linear. The skill tree is a huge map that consists of 1350 entries. It is common to all character classes which are different only in terms of the starting point. Advancing to subsequent levels, a hero receives one point per level to spend on any skill. Occasionally, it is possible to obtain additional points as a reward for completing a quest.
All active skills in Path of Exile have the form of special gems that can be placed in most items’ slots. Only after it has been placed, the player can activate a given skill and only then does it start to gain experience points and, as a result, higher levels. Some Skill Gems are passive meaning they provide others with bonuses. These are used by “attaching” them to an adequate skill by joint slots in an item. Skills come in three different colors, while colors are divided, according to their rarity, into regular (white), magical (blue), rare (yellow), and unique (orange). The more unique the item, the broader the selection of passive skills.
Path of Exile has an innovate economy system that does not use any currency such as gold coins. The economy is based on various kinds of spheres that possess different powers. They are obtained by trading items in stores, or sometimes dropped from the bodies of defeated foes. For the weakest items, we are given the most common spheres, while acquiring superior ones is a complicated and time-consuming process. In total, there are over 20 spheres of various kinds in the game. The rarest ones require trading in items of different special ability combinations.
Technical aspects
The gameplay is presented from an isometric view that brings to mind the genre classics, such as Diablo or Sacred. It does not lack for bloody animations.
Similarly to most free online games, the developers introduced a number of optional micropayments. However, they only modify the appearance of given elements. Real money can buy additional character animations, dyes, or alternative spell effects. Path of Exile for PC and XONE is not your typical pay-to-win game.
Last updated on March 1, 2016
Last Update: January 17, 2014
Path of Exile Game Guide
Path of Exile strategy guide focuses on gameplay mechanics and describes all aspects of character classes and their advancement. You'll find here example character builds and some useful advice.
August 10, 2020
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Videos and Screens
[1:30] Path of Exile - Legacy of Phrecia Event Trailer
[1:50] Path of Exile Trial of the Ancestors trailer
The main pros of the game
- Free-to-Play Model: The game is genuinely free-to-play, with microtransactions limited to cosmetic items and storage space, ensuring no pay-to-win elements.
- Deep Customization: The skill tree is vast and complex, allowing for immense character customization and diverse build options, comparable to the skill systems in games like Final Fantasy X.
- Engaging Gameplay: Offers a rich and immersive gameplay experience with challenging mechanics and a dark, gritty atmosphere.
- Frequent Updates: Regular content updates and seasonal leagues keep the game fresh and engaging, providing new mechanics and challenges.
- Strong Community: A supportive and friendly player community willing to help newcomers, along with a wealth of online resources and guides.
- Robust Endgame: The game features a highly praised endgame with challenging bosses and a dynamic trading economy based on crafting and item exchange rather than traditional currency.
The main cons of the game
- Steep Learning Curve: New players may find the game overwhelming due to its complexity, particularly regarding the skill tree and various mechanics.
- Repetitive Content: Some players noted that the gameplay can become repetitive, especially when replaying the same story across multiple difficulties.
- Technical Issues: Users reported occasional connection problems and performance issues, particularly with high visual effects during gameplay.
- Limited Storytelling: While the lore is rich, the storytelling is often seen as lacking in presentation, with minimal cutscenes and voice acting.
- Trading Frustrations: The trading system can be cumbersome, requiring players to leave their game sessions to engage in trades, which some found frustrating.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Better Onboarding for New Players: Many reviews suggested that the game could benefit from a more intuitive tutorial or onboarding process to help new players understand the complex systems.
- Improved Trading System: Suggestions were made for a more streamlined trading system, possibly incorporating a trading post mechanic to facilitate easier exchanges without disrupting gameplay.
- Enhanced Story Presentation: Some players expressed a desire for more engaging storytelling elements, such as better cutscenes or voice acting, to enhance the narrative experience.
- Localization: While the game is now available in multiple languages, some users still noted the need for more comprehensive translations to cater to a broader audience.
Summary
- Overall, Path of Exile is highly regarded as a deep, engaging, and rewarding action RPG that excels in character customization and community support, despite some criticisms regarding its complexity and technical issues.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 2349 votes. 541 players anticipated the game.
3
GAMES
in Path of Exile Game Series
Game Series
Path of Exile Series
A series of free-to-play distributed hack'n'slash action RPGs that competes with, among others. Diablo. Cycle Path of Exile was created by New Zealand-based studio Grinding Gear Games, which has been in existence since 2006 and has focused on developing its brand since its inception.
3 video games
Path of Exile Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows October 23, 2013
PlayStation 4 March 26, 2019
Xbox One August 24, 2017
Developer: Grinding Gear Games
Publisher: Grinding Gear Games
Path of Exile System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Pentium IV 1.4 GHz, 2 GB RAM, graphic card 256 MB (GeForce 7800 or better), 5 GB HDD, Windows XP(SP3)/Vista/7/8
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video games
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video games
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New details about PoE Legacy of Phrecia. Event explained
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PoE developers revealed first details about upcoming new features
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video games
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PoE devs positively surprised fans. „Just had 19 Ascendancies lying around”
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video games
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Path of Exile devs spoke out on first installment's future. „The problem is, we were fooling ourselves”
The release of PoE 2 has not been unaffected by the first installment. The developers made an official announcement, which was met with a mixed reception from players.
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Are you puzzled by mining mechanic in PoE? We will tell you how to profit from your ores.
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