The first major update for Path of Exile 2, known as Dawn of the Hunt, has been nothing short of catastrophic since it debuted in early access last year. When the update rolled out last Friday, players expecting an enhanced experience were instead met with a game that was almost hilariously hard. Taking down even the weakest monsters during the early stages of the campaign became a test of endurance, and the newly introduced Huntress class didn’t pack much of a punch. This sparked an uproar on Reddit, with threads titled sentiments like “This game feels like a massive waste of time” and “Game feels miserable.” To make matters worse, some top streamers couldn’t help but abandon the game in frustration.
In the wake of this backlash, Grinding Gear Games released a series of minor patches to try and level the playing field. They lowered the health of monsters and bolstered some weak skills, such as those involving skeletal minions. However, many players feel these tweaks fall short of making the game rewarding.
The developers have acknowledged these concerns in a recent post, outlining plans for future adjustments, particularly in regard to the tedious pace of the campaign, which players must replay with every new season. Although some amendments have been made, players are still finding it hard to persist through the campaign to reach the enticing endgame dungeons.
“We wanted to tone down elements that made the endgame too easy before players even earned their gear,” game director Jonathan Rogers explained during a chat with streamer Zizaran on Tuesday.
“There were some notable slip-ups,” added game director Mark Roberts, candidly explaining issues with weak skills that were swiftly patched. “We’re kind of making decisions on the fly here. Sometimes it’s about testing things out and seeing how the community reacts. If it doesn’t work, we’ll just roll it back.”
Rogers confessed that, generally, the challenge with PoE 2 is hitting the smaller target of balanced gameplay compared to PoE 1. “The aim for more engaging combat means there’s less room for error,” he noted.
While PoE 1 has been a haven for players who’ve invested countless hours mastering their skills, PoE 2 aims to sidestep that complexity without losing its edge. At its heart, the game should deliver a challenging, deliberate combat style reminiscent of a Soulslike, where difficulty is deliberate.
The developers are exploring adjustments but caution against tilting too far the other way, where players could breeze through content. “If skilled players find no challenge, then the game might not be enjoyable long-term,” Rogers added.
Overall, while they’re addressing issues, they’re treading carefully to ensure that the core challenge and appeal of Path of Exile aren’t diluted in the process.
