The Core Problem with PoE 2

[NeloCoDreH]

Path of Exile 2 risks becoming a failure, and the main reason is its endgame. Even after fully building your character, it just doesn’t feel satisfying—your hero still feels slow and underwhelming. On top of that, being forced to play through the campaign twice makes the experience even worse. Many players don’t even make it past the first act, and only a handful ever reach the endgame. Now imagine starting a new season with this system—most people just won’t bother.

I built a warrior who can one-shot bosses. Sure, there will always be "experts" saying, "Well, don’t make a build that one-shots everything—problem solved!" But let’s be real: the essence of any ARPG is creating the fastest and most efficient build possible. One-shotting enemies and bosses is the ultimate goal in games like this. Players spend hundreds of hours farming divine orbs and Mirrors of Kalandra for this exact purpose. If the game becomes boring after reaching that goal, the issue lies with the game, not the player.

The spell and gem system is outright terrible. There’s also zero balance in difficulty. This leaves the gameplay in a weird state—it’s either way too easy or absurdly difficult, and neither feels rewarding.

Yes, the visuals are stunning—no one can deny that. But the maps are way too stretched out. Why am I running through massive empty spaces instead of engaging in meaningful combat? It feels like the developers artificially padded the game length just to boast, "Our campaign takes dozens of hours to complete!" In reality, 70% of your time is spent running through oversized areas, while only 30% is spent fighting bosses. This is a terrible formula that makes the game feel sluggish and repetitive.

Another strange issue is the overwhelming number of positive reviews. For a game with so many obvious flaws, the high ratings feel suspicious. It’s almost as if they’re being artificially boosted because the criticisms far outweigh the praise. If nothing changes, PoE 2 could turn into a ghost town within weeks. Confidence in the project is dwindling because it’s clear the game needs an almost complete overhaul to survive.

At its core, PoE 2 feels like an unfinished product. Yes, the visuals are amazing, but they’re just a shiny wrapper hiding a mountain of problems. Developers are quick to nerf overpowered spells, but they ignore the bigger, more fundamental issues. If they’re not willing to address these flaws, they’d honestly be better off releasing PoE 1 on a new engine. We were expecting a masterpiece, but what we got is a divisive project that leaves players more frustrated than entertained. It’s bad. Really bad. There’s simply nothing to enjoy here—Path of Exile 2 is completely unfun.

[Witch]

"On top of that, being forced to play through the campaign twice makes the experience even worse."
Lol, it's only for the EA, there is a full campaign on release. Poe 1 started with only 3 act, finishing at Pity boss.

"The spell and gem system is outright terrible" - Be more specific

"Why am I running through massive empty spaces instead of engaging in meaningful combat?" There is a patch that allow us to teleport on checkpoints

" Even after fully building your character, it just doesn’t feel satisfying—your hero still feels slow and underwhelming." Probably bad gear or build

"At its core, PoE 2 feels like an unfinished product." Yes, it's an EA.

[MadEagle]

At its core, PoE 2 feels like an unfinished product.

imagine ur playing beta test ... :D >.< O.o

[Agarwaen]

RIP man, the toxic trolls are coming...

[AtomicScout]

I don't get why we have to beat the game again to unlock maps ? I wanted to check that one out but i don't think i can be bothered to finish the game again.

[Chiryuu]

tl;dr

But for me the core problem is how slow it is.

[CountCapacollo]

lol the game is good. People that don't know basic mechanics of an arpg are bad.

It's painfully obvious people have been ruined by 0 thought games like D3/D4 where actually managing your build takes a bit of knowledge.

D4 is right over there if you're missing that.

News at eleven.

[Chiryuu]

Originally posted by ybgbgl:

lol the game is good. People that don't know basic mechanics of an arpg are bad.

It's painfully obvious people have been ruined by 0 thought games like D3/D4 where actually managing your build takes a bit of knowledge.

D4 is right over there if you're missing that.

News at eleven.

D4 has it's pros.
PoE 2 has it's pros.
Dunno why you are so hard on being in a tribe.

[Luckiernut]

It sounds like you are portraying the differences between this game and Diablo 4 as negatives but in actuality is what makes this game great. Roaming a big labyrinth of a map with unexpected foes around every corner is exciting. Gear and skills are harder to get but it means you have to pick up everything and either sell or scrap/disenchant as needed and make tough choices about how to progress.

You can play D4 by just pressing random buttons with your eyes closed and the mob density is so bad that it all just melts together. You have to be a bit more deliberate in POE2.

[workerdrone]

Originally posted by AtomicScout:

I don't get why we have to beat the game again to unlock maps ? I wanted to check that one out but i don't think i can be bothered to finish the game again.

then wait for the full release

[Chiryuu]

Originally posted by Luckiernut:

It sounds like you are portraying the differences between this game and Diablo 4 as negatives but in actuality is what makes this game great. Roaming a big labyrinth of a map with unexpected foes around every corner is exciting. Gear and skills are harder to get but it means you have to pick up everything and either sell or scrap/disenchant as needed and make tough choices about how to progress.

You can play D4 by just pressing random buttons with your eyes closed and the mob density is so bad that it all just melts together. You have to be a bit more deliberate in POE2.

That's untrue. You are literally lying. The question is - why? Are you paid by GGG?

[Luckiernut]

Originally posted by Chiryuu:

Originally posted by Luckiernut:

It sounds like you are portraying the differences between this game and Diablo 4 as negatives but in actuality is what makes this game great. Roaming a big labyrinth of a map with unexpected foes around every corner is exciting. Gear and skills are harder to get but it means you have to pick up everything and either sell or scrap/disenchant as needed and make tough choices about how to progress.

You can play D4 by just pressing random buttons with your eyes closed and the mob density is so bad that it all just melts together. You have to be a bit more deliberate in POE2.

That's untrue. You are literally lying. The question is - why? Are you paid by GGG?

Lying about what?

[Chiryuu]

Originally posted by Luckiernut:

Originally posted by Chiryuu:

That's untrue. You are literally lying. The question is - why? Are you paid by GGG?

Lying about what?

About D4.

[Subsonic]

Originally posted by NeloCoDreH:

Another strange issue is the overwhelming number of positive reviews. For a game with so many obvious flaws, the high ratings feel suspicious. It’s almost as if they’re being artificially boosted because the criticisms far outweigh the praise. If nothing changes, PoE 2 could turn into a ghost town within weeks. Confidence in the project is dwindling because it’s clear the game needs an almost complete overhaul to survive.

I don't think this is strange, its a good game, obvious flaws may only be flaws from your perspective, there maybe some paid for reviews but barely 25% of the peek players has made a review, that means probably that's 5-10% of all current owners of the game have made a review, let alone people not playing on steam.

I think you are reaching with a "complete overhaul to survive", its in a really good starting place and the only way it will die is if GGG changes it to something loathed by the current community.

[Luckiernut]

Originally posted by Chiryuu:

Originally posted by Luckiernut:

Lying about what?

About D4.

Not lying and these opinions are my own. Do try to discuss in the forums instead of attacking people that don't hold your own opinion.

[Chiryuu]

Originally posted by Luckiernut:

Originally posted by Chiryuu:

About D4.

Not lying and these opinions are my own. Do try to discuss in the forums instead of attacking people that don't hold your own opinion.

I really doubt you even played Diablo 4, but okay.