New Free-To-Play ARPG Path Of Exile 2 First Impressions

I never played Path of Exile. Not really. I tried the free-to-play ARPG randomly once years ago and bounced off almost immediately. The sheer complexity scared me away. The menus, the skill tree, the item stats — it all looked overwhelming. But when Path of Exile 2 ran its free weekend, I figured it was a good chance to try again. I downloaded it, jumped in, and to my surprise, everything clicked. I finally understand why people have been obsessed with this series for more than a decade. The hype is real.

From the first few minutes, it was clear that Path of Exile 2 is designed to be friendlier to newcomers like me. The game eases you in with story beats, tutorials, and short cinematics. It does not assume you know what you are doing. The controls felt sharp and responsive, while the animations had real weight behind them. Every arrow I fired landed with satisfying force. (I rolled Huntress.)

Combat is what truly won me over. Compared to what I have seen of the original, this sequel feels faster and more visceral. Dodging, parrying, and timing attacks felt Soulslike in a good way. Encounters were not just about spamming abilities and watching numbers go up. They demanded positioning, reaction, and awareness. Even early bosses came with mechanics that forced me to pay attention instead of face-tanking damage. It felt like a breath of fresh air in a genre where mindless clicking usually does the trick.

The visuals deserve recognition too. I always thought the first Path of Exile looked dated, even with its gothic charm, but Path of Exile 2 is gorgeous. The lighting, environmental detail, and effects bring the world alive in a way I did not expect. One moment I was trudging through a swamp shrouded in mist and twisted trees, and the next I was exploring a cavern glowing with crystal light reflected across puddles. It is not just good for an ARPG, it is legitimately atmospheric and immersive. Even the camera, which can make or break games like this, worked flawlessly.

Then there is the skill system, which Path of Exile is infamous for. In the first game, skills were tied to gear, making experimentation stressful. Path of Exile 2 fixes that. Skills have their own slot system now, separate from equipment, which meant I could freely try abilities without constantly rearranging my loadout. I did not feel like I was ruining my character every time I swapped something. For someone like me, who values experimentation over optimization, that change was important.

Of course, loot remains the lifeblood of the game. Monsters, bosses, and chests showered me with gear, and while I do not yet fully understand the intricacies of mods and crafting, I never felt like I needed to. There is still incredible depth here for those who want it. The infamous passive skill tree is back, and looking at it did melt my brain a little. But the important thing is that Path of Exile 2 gives you permission to ignore it at first. You can play casually and feel strong, or you can dive into spreadsheets and theorycrafting if that is what excites you.

The game is incredibly approachable. There is still complexity under the hood, but Path of Exile 2 does not force it on you. Instead, the game invites you in, lets you have fun, and trusts that curiosity will eventually push you deeper. That is a smart design choice, and it works.

By the time the free weekend wrapped up, I felt disappointed it was ending. I wanted to keep playing. Path of Exile 2 turned me into a believer. If this weekend was meant to convince holdouts, I would say mission accomplished. I am already looking forward to diving back in when the game officially launches.