Summary
- Diablo 4 excels in storytelling with cinematic splendor, while Path of Exile 2 focuses on environmental storytelling.
- Path of Exile 2 offers challenging and intricate combat, while Diablo 4 has a more streamlined experience.
- Path of Exile 2 has deep character customization and meaningful loot drops, setting it apart from Diablo 4.
Of all the loot-brimmed realms of ARPGs, two titans have risen as the kings of the genre. Blizzard’s Diablo 4 and Grinding Gear Games’ Path of Exile 2. Both will have you fighting through relentless hordes of demons, skeletons and all matters of grotesque foes.
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But which game deserves your precious time? With both promising hours of build tweaking, loot chasing and a gauntlet of endgame choices, it can be hard to decide which game is better. Let’s delve into the various aspects of both to see which ARPG reigns supreme.
9
Storytelling
Diablo 4
With its best in class cinematics and voice acting, Diablo 4 definitely takes the prize. From the destruction of the World Stone, to the fall of Malthael, Diablo has years of lore to draw upon. With the introduction of Lilith, Diablo 4 delivers a story that will leave you questioning whether your fight against the Mother of Sanctuary is truly the right choice. If you’re someone who craves a deep story, Diablo 4’s combination of beautiful cinematics and great voice acting will keep you engaged all the way through the campaign.
Path of Exile 2 is more about piecing together lore through environmental storytelling and scattered dialogue. While Path of Exile 2 has certainly improved its storytelling compared to its predecessor, it still falls short compared to the cinematic splendor of Diablo 4. If storytelling is your priority, Diablo 4 pulls ahead.
8
Combat Complexity
Path Of Exile 2
For those who appreciate a challenging combat system that requires strategic thinking, Path of Exile 2 delivers focused and satisfying gameplay. Its combat demands attention and skill, with one wrong move leading to getting squashed by a boss or blasted by a minion. Dodge rolling is key, and if you’ve ever played a Souls-like game, you’ll know exactly what to expect here.
On the other hand, Diablo 4 offers a much more streamlined combat experience, which might not satisfy those seeking a challenge before the endgame. Level-scaling plays a big part in this experience, and is a feature that you’ll either love or hate.
7
Character Building
Path Of Exile 2
If you enjoy customizing your character’s abilities and exploring intricate passive trees, Path of Exile 2 excels with its sometimes overwhelming system. It allows for a high degree of personalization, letting you craft a character that truly reflects any playstyle you want. From a crossbow wielding Monk, to a Sorceress with a giant two-handed mace, you have the freedom to build how you want.
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In contrast, Diablo 4 ties progression heavily to Legendary Aspects and set Class identities, which can feel limiting for those who prefer more open-ended styles of character building.
6
Loot System
Path Of Exile 2
For players who prefer meaningful loot drops that require thoughtful consideration, Path of Exile 2 respects your time with a system that emphasizes quality over quantity. This approach reduces inventory clutter and enhances the satisfaction of finding valuable items.
Conversely, Diablo 4 tends to flood your screen with frequent explosions of meaningless loot, and since enemies are scaled to your level, it’s harder to feel the impact of a great new item.
5
Skill Customization
Path Of Exile 2
If you’re the type of player who loves tinkering with endless options to tune your character, Path of Exile 2 is a dream come true. It has hundreds of skill gems, paired with an intuitive socketing system that lets you tweak your skills down to the most granular details. You can mix and match gems to create anything from ricocheting fireballs, to carpet-bombing grenades. It’s an entire playground for buildcrafters.
Diablo 4 takes a more streamlined approach, which can be great for newcomers but feels limiting in comparison. The skill tree lacks the same level of experimentation, often sticking to linear upgrades. For players who enjoy sinking hours into perfecting builds, Path of Exile 2 delivers unmatched depth and creativity.
4
New Player Accessibility
Diablo 4
For those seeking a more accessible and less time-intensive gaming experience, Diablo 4 caters to casual players with its straightforward mechanics and forgiving gameplay. Its design allows for shorter play sessions without significant penalties, making it suitable for those with limited time.
In contrast, Path of Exile 2 is known for its deep, intricate mechanics that may require a more substantial time investment to fully appreciate. With the campaign alone taking over 45 hours to complete, and an even longer endgame, Path Of Exile 2 is certainly more catered to hardcore players.
3
Visual And Audio Design
Path Of Exile 2
If immersive graphics and great sound design are high on your priority list, Path of Exile 2 impresses with its detailed environments and compelling audio design. Ice shards break with a satisfying crack, while each boss has their own themed soundtrack. The game’s beautiful presentation is also a huge step above Path of Exile, and greatly improves the overall experience.
Wraeclast has never looked or sounded this good, let alone most other ARPGs. While Diablo 4 also offers undeniably high-quality visuals, Path of Exile 2 has the slight edge with its more realistic art style and satisfying audio.
2
Endgame Content
Path Of Exile 2
For players who seek extensive endgame content that provides long-term engagement, Path of Exile 2 already offers a wealth of activities even during its early access period. From Breach, Ritual, Delirium and more, its endgame systems are designed to provide ongoing content, ensuring that there’s always something new to progress in. In comparison, Diablo 4 doesn’t offer the same depth of endgame content, especially if you’ve never picked up the Vessel of Hatred expansion.
While both games have their strengths, Path of Exile 2 stands out, particularly with its sheer amount of content on offer. However, if you’re a casual player looking for a smoother experience, Diablo 4 might be the preferable choice.
1
Winner
Path Of Exile 2
When it comes to crowning a winner, Path of Exile 2 claims the throne with its depth, challenging gameplay and deep endgame experience. This isn’t just an ARPG, it’s a full-blown experience that thrives on constant evolution, thanks to regular updates and upcoming League mechanics. Whether you’re diving into the labyrinthine passive tree, experimenting with diverse builds, or chasing after unique loot, Path of Exile 2 rewards your dedication like few games can.
While Diablo 4 shines as a polished, accessible option, it often feels like a guided tour rather than a true journey. Path of Exile 2 is the opposite, with boundless amounts of customization and a system where classes are often more of a suggestion than an identity. If you’re ready for a long-term commitment to a game that will challenge you for years to come, Wraeclast will welcome you home with (not so) open arms.
