Summary

• Path of Exile 2's developers are defending the challenging endgame despite player concerns.
• Co-director Jonathan Rogers emphasized, "...if you’re dying all the time then you’re probably not ready to keep going up the power curve."
• Players navigate the intricate Atlas of Worlds in the endgame, facing advanced challenges and bosses.

Path of Exile 2 co-directors Mark Roberts and Jonathan Rogers have addressed the community's concerns about the game's demanding endgame difficulty. As a sequel to the 2013 original, Path of Exile 2 introduces a new skill system with 240 active skill gems and 12 character classes. After completing the six-act story, players can dive into the challenging 100 endgame maps.

Since its early access launch in December 2024, the isometric action RPG has attracted a robust player base. This year, fans can look forward to significant quality-of-life enhancements while awaiting the full release. The first update of 2025, Patch 0.1.0, has already been released, addressing bugs and crashes, especially on the PlayStation 5, and improving gameplay by fixing issues with monsters, skills, and damage.

In an exclusive interview with content creators Darth Microtransaction and GhazzyTV, Roberts and Rogers discussed the upcoming Patch 0.1.1 and shared their views on 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," and emphasized that the gameplay would not "feel the same" if the design reverted to a single portal system. Players have expressed frustration with the current endgame design, which features demanding player builds and fast monsters, making strategic encounters extremely challenging.

Path of Exile 2 Devs Defend Endgame's Difficulty

Regarding the loss of EXP during an Atlas run, Rogers explained, "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." However, the team at Grinding Gear Games is actively reviewing the various elements that contribute to the endgame's difficulty, aiming to preserve the most authentic experience for players. There are numerous advanced tips available to help players navigate Path of Exile 2’s endgame, such as conquering high-Waystone Tier maps, salvaging Quality gear, and strategically using portals, yet many fans continue to struggle with the challenge.

Path of Exile 2’s endgame unfolds in the Atlas of Worlds, where players aim to progress by unlocking various maps and defeating the Beasts that inhabit 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 formidable bosses, intricate maps, and the need to optimize robust builds through gear and skill enhancements.