Developers of Path of Exile 2 Discuss Their Most Challenging Update

Path of Exile 2’s latest major update, “Dawn of the Hunt,” has not exactly been smooth sailing. Since hitting early access last year, fans have been eagerly anticipating new content, but this particular update seemed to miss the mark. When players jumped in last Friday, it didn’t take long to realize that the difficulty had been cranked up to an unwelcome level. Even dispatching early-game creatures turned into a grind, and newcomers trying out the Huntress class found it lackluster. Social media buzzed with disgruntled comments, and many titles on Reddit echoed sentiments like, “This game feels like a massive waste of time” and “Game feels miserable.” Some prominent streamers chose to abandon ship altogether.

In the wake of this backlash, Grinding Gear Games scrambled to release a series of patches aimed at easing the difficulty curve. Adjustments were made, such as reducing monster health and boosting weaker skills like the skeletal minions. However, a large portion of the community is still not convinced these tweaks are sufficient to enhance the game’s enjoyment.

In a move to address these ongoing issues, the developers posted an update outlining future improvements, particularly targeting the slow progression pace that requires players to revisit previous content with each new season. Although some adjustments have rolled out, convincing players to stick around long enough to reach the endgame levels remains a challenge.

Game director Jonathan Rogers explained, during an interview with streamer Zizaran, that the intention was to balance the endgame and prevent players from breezing through it even before collecting necessary gear. “There were a few mishaps, to be honest,” remarked Mark Roberts, another game director, drawing attention to the quick fixes for underwhelming skills. He further elaborated, “We’re shooting from the hip on this, trying things out in real-time, and if they flop, we’ll simply retract them.”

Rogers pointed out that the goal for PoE 2 is narrower than its predecessor, aiming for more engaging combat and thereby placing greater emphasis on getting the balance right. He highlighted that while PoE 1 has been a haven for seasoned players, PoE 2 aims to break that mold but admits it’s a tricky path to tread. The game aspires to emulate the strategic, dodge-heavy fights seen in Soulslike titles, maintaining a level of challenge.

The developers are considering various solutions to strike a balance where the challenge remains intact yet enjoyable. “We want to avoid a scenario where players can breeze through without facing real obstacles. If we dilute the experience too much, it won’t remain fun in the long haul.”