Path of Exile

[Losse]

I just wanted to plug this free game here because its similar to sacred. Also, it is not pay to win. Its in open beta but they are not wiping characters.

http://www.pathofexile.com/

[Painless]

Very interesting, thank you. I found this on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os-4RGEORzw

[imortus]

Path of Exile is a very good game, y'all. I played a bunch of it in earlier beta and have been going through it again the last week or so. It's essentially the Diablo 3 everybody wanted, instead the Diablo 3 we ended up with.

It isn't perfect, but it is fun.

[Losse]

Its in beta so tons of tweaks and additions coming. Its like diablo 2 on crack.

[Nidhoggr]

I haven't played this in a few weeks, but I remember it was really fun. I still don't think anyone has reached lvl 100 yet.

[Losse]

91 in the casual ladder http://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/71278
91 on the hardcore also http://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/71276

[ThomasPierson]

I've been playing POE for a few weeks now and it's pretty fun and has a great story and a really nice asthetic.

[Zanriel]

I put some coins into the machine several months ago to get into the "closed" beta. I've put probably about 10-20 hours into it, but it just hasn't grabbed me for some reason. It just sits there on my hard drive, collecting dust.

My biggest complaints are I don't like the huge skill tree (skill forest) for starters. If you look at the passive skills you pick from when you level, it's this massive galaxy sized cluster of interconnected dots that you put points into. It's way too overwhelming, and I feel like it adds a lot of unnecessary complication where it doesn't need to be. A lot of people like the system though, because it means you can start with a squishy glass cannon, but invest into tank type passives to make hybrids and custom builds to your heart's content. On the other hand, it also lets you make really bad decisions that you might not be aware of until hours and hours into the game. There are options for respeccing, but it's limited and has a price tag.

Secondly, I can't get used to the loot system. There's no currency, but loot is traded to merchants for bits and pieces that you can combine for things like ID scrolls, TP scrolls, etc. The loot is also set up into different shapes and sizes you have to re-arrange to fit into your inventory, like a puzzle. It's the same system as Diablo 2, or Titan Quest. Skills and abilities are gained by slotting gems, which give you things like fireball, frost nova, etc. Those gems have their own XP tables and level up as you use them. They can also be combined with other gems to change their effects, like adding multi-shot, or creating mines out of them. What's wrong with just choosing spells from a list or a trainer? Okay, it's different, and "cool" I guess.

Lastly, I don't care too much for the aesthetics. From the character designs to the animations, to the environments. Just personal preference.

Hats off to the designers for going some new directions with an old formula, and offering it for "free" (with a cash shop, optional microtransactions). Personally, I just can't get into it. A lot of people rave about it though.

[Painless]

Good post, thank you for the input.

[Losse]

The skill tree is overwhelming at first and really is its own mini game. I spent 3 days just researching the forums for info on skill trees before I picked a serious character. I think in the long run it will be good, but at first it is daunting. I kind of prefer it to the handholding carebear skills found in most new games though. It really makes you think about your build like the good old days :)

The loot is what I like most. I look or at least can over every sing item that drops, even white items. Because everything in the game is upgradable with different orbs that drop. It is pretty much brilliant i think how there is no gold. It make you pick up all the scrolls. It make the dopamine drip out of your brain more than gold IMO cause literally anything that drops could be a good item. A white item with 6 sockets, a common skill gem but with improved quality, a health potion that heals your minions, the list goes on. There is a recipe list for all the trades that can be made on the wiki.

I really like the dark gritty fantasy world they have, and I like the graphics. I would say that the character models and gear could use a little upgrading though. Good news is, in last patch they did upgrade some of the graphics so hopefully they will continue to do this. I think they will.

Remember its still beta which means that atleast GGG thinks they need to make it better for release which is good news for all.

They also added whirlwhind skill this week! They call it cyclone.

They are patching in new content EVERY week now.

[Isolation]

PoE is ok but i already played it 10 years ago so i lost interest quickly (ie its basically diablo 2 with nothing new aside from an neat skill tree)

[Crispin]

Path of exile is great no doubt, and a very good option if you do not want to spend money.

however what sacred 2 offers is many great storylines, a more rpg feel, with lots of quests and development. Also the world is OPEN, a huuuuuge open world without many instances. Giving your a more free and a better immersion imo.

[Losse]

Oh yeah, i don't mean to take away from Sacred 2 here. Its a great game to play through. But when your done come try PoE :)