Path of Exile 2 Devs Comment on Endgame Difficulty

Summary

• Path of Exile 2 developers are standing firm on the challenging endgame, despite player feedback.
• Co-director Jonathan Rogers emphasized that frequent deaths indicate a player may not be ready to advance further in the game's power curve.
• Players must navigate the complex Atlas of Worlds in the endgame, facing tough challenges and formidable bosses.

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

Since its early access release in December 2024, Path of Exile 2 has attracted a robust player base. The developers are committed to enhancing the game with crucial quality-of-life updates throughout 2025, eagerly awaited by fans until the full launch. The first update of the year, Patch 0.1.0, tackled numerous bugs and crashes, especially on the PlayStation 5, and improved aspects related to monsters, skills, and damage.

In a detailed interview with content creators Darth Microtransaction and GhazzyTV, Roberts and Rogers discussed the upcoming Patch 0.1.1 and elaborated on their stance regarding the endgame's difficulty. They defended the challenging nature of the game, stating, "The whole ‘death actually mattering’ thing is actually important. You have to have some level of failure being possible." They also mentioned that simplifying the design, such as reverting to a single portal system, would alter the game's feel significantly. Players have been vocal about the endgame's tough design, characterized by demanding builds and fast-paced monsters, which makes strategic encounters extremely challenging.

Path of Exile 2 Devs Defend Endgame's Difficulty

On the topic of losing EXP during an Atlas run, Rogers noted, "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 currently evaluating the various elements that contribute to the endgame's difficulty to ensure players experience the game's intended challenge authentically. Despite advanced tips available to help players conquer high-Waystone Tier maps, salvage Quality gear, and utilize portals strategically, many fans continue to struggle with the game's demanding endgame.

Path of Exile 2's endgame unfolds within the Atlas of Worlds, where players aim to progress by unlocking diverse maps and defeating the Beasts that infest them. Access to the Atlas is granted after completing the main campaign on Cruel Difficulty. Each interconnected world within the Atlas presents high-level challenges tailored for advanced, dedicated players, featuring tough bosses, intricate maps, and the need to optimize robust builds through gear and skill enhancements.