"Path of Exile 2 Devs Discuss Endgame Challenge"

Summary

• The Path of Exile 2 developers are defending the challenging endgame despite player concerns.
• Co-director Jonathan Rogers stated, "...if you’re dying all the time then you’re probably not ready to keep going up the power curve."
• Players navigate through the intricate Atlas of Worlds in the endgame, facing advanced challenges and bosses.

Path of Exile 2 co-directors Mark Roberts and Jonathan Rogers have addressed the community's concerns about the demanding endgame difficulty. As a sequel to the 2013 original, Path of Exile 2 introduces a new skill system featuring 240 active skill gems and 12 character classes. After completing the six-act story, players gain access to the intense 100 endgame maps.

Since its early access launch in December 2024, the isometric action RPG has attracted a robust player base, with 2025 set to bring significant quality-of-life enhancements. The game's first update of the year, Patch 0.1.0, tackles various bugs and crashes, particularly on the PlayStation 5, and improves gameplay by addressing issues with monsters, skills, and damage.

In an exclusive interview with content creators Darth Microtransaction and GhazzyTV, Roberts and Rogers discussed the upcoming Patch 0.1.1 and shared their perspective on the endgame's difficulty. They defended the challenge, emphasizing that "The whole 'death actually mattering' thing is actually important. You have to have some level of failure being possible," and noted that the gameplay would not "feel the same" if reverted to a single portal system. Players have voiced concerns over the current endgame design, which features demanding player builds and fast monsters, making strategic encounters extremely challenging.

Path of Exile 2 Devs Defend Endgame's Difficulty

Regarding the loss of EXP during an Atlas run, Rogers explained, “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 evaluating the various elements that contribute to the endgame's difficulty to ensure players have the most authentic experience possible. Despite advanced tips available for conquering high-Waystone Tier maps, salvaging Quality gear, and utilizing portals effectively, many players still find the challenge overwhelming.

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