Why Path of Exile 2 Is Unlikely to Adopt One Diablo 4 Feature

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home January 6, 2025 16 Views 6 Min Read
Why Path of Exile 2 Is Unlikely to Adopt One Diablo 4 Feature



Summary

  • Path of Exile 2 prioritizes depth and replayability over broad accessibility like Diablo 4.
  • Path of Exile 2 features instanced areas and procedurally generated maps for increased replayability.
  • Path of Exile 2’s challenging gameplay thrives on close-quarters design, discouraging running from enemies.

While it might be more like Diablo 2 than anything else, Grinding Gear Games’ ARPG Path of Exile 2 is nonetheless currently one of Diablo 4‘s biggest competitors. As two of the biggest names in the ARPG genre, Path of Exile 2 and Diablo 4 appeal to a very similar audience of players who enjoy loot-driven gameplay, character customization, and fast-paced combat. However, their design philosophies and core audience focus set them apart in some significant ways, including their approach to world design and how their gameplay fits within that context.

For one thing, Path of Exile 2 prioritizes depth, complexity, and replayability, whereas Diablo 4 emphasizes broad accessibility and immersive storytelling more than anything else. Path of Exile 2 offers far more challenging content than what Diablo 4 players are likely familiar with, while Diablo 4 caters to both ARPG veterans and newcomers with streamlined gameplay mechanics and an arguably more story-driven experience. These and several other reasons establish the context for why Path of Exile 2 is unlikely to ever adopt an open-world model similar to Diablo 4‘s, as doing so would ultimately diminish what distinguishes Path of Exile 2 in the increasingly crowded ARPG space.

Path of Exile 2 Diablo 4 Diablo 2 Item Identify Feature

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Path of Exile 2 Is Unlikely to Ever Feature an Open World

Path of Exile 2 Is Structured Around Instanced Areas and Procedurally Generated Maps

Unlike Diablo 4, which features an open world with interconnected areas and seamless exploration on its surface, Path of Exile 2 is structured around instanced areas and procedurally generated maps. While Path of Exile 2‘s towns all remain the same, its world maps heavily utilize procedural generation, which means most areas outside of major towns are randomly generated each time players enter them. At the end of the day, this increases Path of Exile 2‘s replayability and ensures players rarely feel bored with the environments they’re bearing witness to and exploring.

Path of Exile 2’s Gameplay Thrives on Close-Quarters World Design

Of course, Path of Exile 2‘s close-quarters world design was an intentional choice made by Grinding Gear Games during development, but it simultaneously creates a context for the sequel’s unique gameplay. Path of Exile 2 is far more challenging than most ARPGs, as it almost requires players to have the same diligence and awareness that a FromSoftware Soulslike might demand. This increased difficulty is due in part to the fact that players rarely have anywhere to run in order to escape their enemies and must instead rely on well-timed dodges and efficient use of health and mana flasks in order to stay alive.

In fact, it’s often better to eliminate an enemy group in Path of Exile 2 rather than try to run past them, as they are frequently persistent in their pursuit and can lead to overwhelming numbers if players are careless.

If Path of Exile 2 were to adopt an open-world design similar to Diablo 4, its challenging gameplay would potentially go out the window, as players would likely be able to put more space between themselves and their enemies, rather than relying on the game’s combat mechanics. The lack of an open world in Path of Exile 2 also benefits its more focused challenges, like those found in its endgame content. Here, Path of Exile 2‘s prioritization of instanced areas allows for increased replayability, which is all but necessary in endgame content of any kind.

It’s possible that an open-world model could eventually work for something like Path of Exile 2‘s endgame, which sees players navigating a large map and completing instanced runs of various activities. The reason an open-world approach might make sense here is that players could use their character to explore the map on the ground, as opposed to merely navigating the map like the virtual board game that it is. However, again, this would likely diminisih Path of Exile 2‘s competitive edge against Diablo 4, so it’s probably better left alone.

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