Path of Exile 2 review: the deepest ARPG ever made

Path of Exile 2 in 2026 is the most ambitious ARPG ever made. Grinding Gear Games built on the original Path of Exile (the deepest ARPG of the 2010s) and made everything deeper, bigger, and more accessible. The campaign is 25+ hours, the endgame is 500+ hours, and the F2P model is the most generous in the genre.

What works

The campaign

The PoE 2 campaign is 25+ hours and one of the best in any ARPG. The story is more focused than PoE 1's (a single linear narrative instead of 10 acts of disjointed story), the act bosses are the most memorable in the genre (the Act 2 crocodile boss, the Act 3 vaal boss, the Act 4 king of the faridun), and the difficulty curve is punishing in a good way (the campaign is the first ARPG since Diablo 2 that respects the player enough to one-shot them).

The endgame

The PoE 2 endgame is the deepest in any ARPG, period. The new Atlas system is a 500+ hour progression with 100+ different map types, 50+ endgame bosses, and infinite build experimentation. The mapping experience is the best in the genre (every map has a unique layout, every map can be modified with sextants, every map can be turned into a boss map with a specific atlas node). The crafting system is the deepest in any game (you can craft items with 20+ different currencies, every craft has a deterministic outcome if you understand the system).

The class system

PoE 2 has 12 base classes (Warrior, Ranger, Sorceress, Monk, Witch, Mercenary, Huntress, Druid, Paladin, and the 3 DLC classes). Each class has 3 ascendancy subclasses, and every ascendancy has 3 specialization paths. That's 36+ distinct character builds, and that's before you count the skill gem combinations. The build variety is unmatched by any ARPG (Diablo 4 has 5 classes × 5 builds each = 25 builds; PoE 2 has 100+ viable builds per class).

The F2P model

PoE 2 is one of the most generous F2P models in any ARPG. Every class is free, every skill gem is free, every ascendancy is free, every skill point is free, every storage tab is free (with some grind). The only things you pay for are cosmetics (armor skins, weapon effects, pet cosmetics, portal effects) and stash tabs (extra storage, not pay-to-win). No pay-to-progress, no paid-only classes, no loot boxes. This is the cleanest F2P model in ARPGs.

The graphics and feel

PoE 2's graphics are functional, not beautiful. The art direction is grimdark and atmospheric (the Act 2 desert, the Act 3 jungle, the Act 4 citadel are all distinct), the animations are weighty (every hit feels impactful), and the spell effects are the most spectacular in ARPGs. The game looks like a modern Diablo but plays like Path of Exile 1 — which is exactly what the fans wanted.

What doesn't

The campaign is brutal

PoE 2's campaign is the most punishing in any ARPG. The act bosses can one-shot you from full health, the trash mobs have telegraphed one-shot abilities that are hard to read, and the difficulty curve is genuinely hard for new players. If you've never played PoE before, expect to die 50+ times on your first playthrough. This is by design (the campaign is supposed to teach you the game) but it's offputting for casual players.

The endgame grind is real

PoE 2's endgame is the deepest in any ARPG, but it requires 100+ hours of grinding to feel your build. The first 50 hours are slow (you don't have the gear to push high-tier maps), the next 50 hours are medium (you can push mid-tier maps), the next 200+ hours are the real game (high-tier maps, pinnacle bosses, deep crafting). If you don't have 200+ hours to commit, you'll bounce off the game.

The microtransaction store

PoE 2's microtransaction store is the cleanest in the genre (cosmetics only, no pay-to-win) but it's overwhelming at launch. There are 100+ cosmetic packs, each with different armor sets, weapon skins, portal effects, and pet cosmetics. The pricing is reasonable ($5-20 per pack) but the sheer volume is overwhelming. New players will spend 20+ minutes just browsing the store.

Some builds are league-only

PoE 2 runs on a 3-month league cycle. Each league introduces a new mechanic + a few new skill gems. Some league-only gems are absurdly strong (the 0.4 league's "Lightning Arrow" gem was the best ranged build in the game) and the leagues are the only way to access them. If you only play Standard (the permanent league), you miss out on the strongest builds.

The graphics

PoE 2's graphics are functional, not beautiful. The art direction is excellent (the world design is grimdark and atmospheric) but the textures and lighting are dated. Compared to Diablo 4 or Last Epoch, PoE 2 looks like a 2018 ARPG. This is by design (the game is meant to be played on low-end hardware) but it stands out in 2026.

The F2P model in detail

PoE 2 is the gold standard for F2P ARPGs. Here's what you get for $0:

• All 12 classes (Warrior, Ranger,

Sorceress, Monk, Witch, Mercenary, Huntress, Druid, Paladin, and 3 DLC classes)

• All 100+ skill gems
• All 36+ ascendancy subclasses
• All campaign content (25+

hours)

• All endgame content (500+

hours of mapping)

• All crafting currencies
• All league content (after

the league ends, it moves to Standard)

• 50+ storage tabs (with

grinding)

Here's what costs money:

• Cosmetic armor skins ($5-20

per pack)

• Cosmetic weapon effects

($5-15 per pack)

• Cosmetic pet skins ($3-10

per pack)

• Cosmetic portal effects

($3-10 per pack)

• Stash tabs (extra storage,

$3-5 per tab, not pay-to-win)

• Character slots ($5 per

slot, not pay-to-win)

No pay-to-progress. No paid-only classes. No loot boxes. This is the cleanest F2P model in any ARPG.

Should you play it?

If you've ever played Diablo 2, Diablo 3, Last Epoch, or PoE 1, yes. PoE 2 is the deepest ARPG ever made, the F2P model is the most generous, and the build variety is unmatched. The campaign is brutal but rewarding, the endgame is endless, and the community is the most dedicated in ARPGs.

If you've never played an ARPG, maybe. PoE 2 is not a casual game. The campaign is brutal, the endgame is grindy, and the build complexity is overwhelming for new players. If you want a casual ARPG, try Last Epoch first.

If you want a story-focused ARPG, try Last Epoch or Diablo 4 first. PoE 2's story is good but the endgame is the main attraction.

The verdict

PoE 2 is the deepest ARPG ever made. The campaign is brutal but rewarding, the endgame is endless, the F2P model is the most generous in the genre, and the build variety is unmatched. The graphics are functional, the microtransaction store is overwhelming, and the learning curve is steep. If you commit 200+ hours, you'll get the best ARPG experience in any game. Recommended.

FAQ

Is Path of Exile 2 really F2P?

Yes. Every class, every skill, every ascendancy, every campaign, and every endgame is free. The only paid content is cosmetics and stash tabs.

Is PoE 2 harder than PoE 1?

Yes, significantly. The campaign is the hardest in any ARPG and the endgame requires more grind than PoE 1.

What's the best class for a new player?

Sorceress or Ranger. Both have ranged combat (safer than melee), clear skill expression (easy to learn, hard to master), and multiple strong ascendancies. Witch is also good for the Arc build (the strongest league-start build in 0.4).

How long is the PoE 2 campaign?

25+ hours for a first playthrough, 40+ hours for a thorough playthrough (all side content), 100+ hours for a complete playthrough (all optional bosses, all atlas nodes).

How long is the PoE 2 endgame?

500+ hours to push the hardest content. The first 100 hours are the "discovery" phase (you learn the systems), the next 200 hours are the "progression" phase (you push higher tier maps), the final 200+ hours are the "mastery" phase (you push pinnacle bosses + deep crafting).

Can I play PoE 2 solo?

Yes, 100% of the content is playable solo. The party system exists but it's optional.

Is PoE 2 better than Diablo 4?

For depth: yes, significantly. For graphics: no, Diablo 4 is prettier. For casual play: no, Diablo 4 is more accessible. For F2P: tied (both are generous).