Path of Exile 2: Early Access Success and What’s Next for the Full Release
- Ray Kasen
- Feb 9
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 15
It’s been over two months since Path of Exile 2 launched in Early Access, and the game continues to thrive. With a peak of 578,000 concurrent players in its first 30 days and over 280,000 still actively playing, it’s clear that PoE 2 has made a significant impact. This success has left many wondering: When will the game leave Early Access and fully launch?
In this article, we’ll explore everything we know about the full release, including what to expect, what improvements are needed, and what the future holds for this highly anticipated action RPG.
When Will Path of Exile 2 Fully Launch?
The burning question on everyone’s mind is the official release date. While Grinding Gear Games (GGG) hasn’t announced a specific date yet, game director Jonathan Rogers has shared some insights.
Rogers stated that Early Access is expected to last at least six months, meaning the full release could arrive between May and June 2025. However, he also mentioned that this timeline could extend if additional content, breakthroughs, or critical bugs need addressing. Despite this, GGG is committed to launching the full game before the end of 2025. Given the studio’s track record of delivering high-quality content, this seems achievable.
The Early Access version launched on December 6, 2024, and has already garnered praise for its polished gameplay, stunning visuals, and deep mechanics. However, the full release promises to expand on these foundations, offering even more content and refinements.
In short, the earliest possible release is mid-2025, but if more development time is needed, we might see the full launch by December 2025. Either way, the wait will likely be worth it.
What’s Included in the Full Release?
The Early Access version of PoE 2 is already packed with content, but the full release promises even more. Here’s what players can look forward to:
1. Expanded Campaign
The full game will feature a six-act campaign, doubling the content available in Early Access. Currently, players can experience the first three acts, with a second playthrough on Cruel Difficulty for added challenge. The third act ends on a thrilling cliffhanger, leaving players eager for more. GGG has hinted at familiar faces from PoE 1 appearing in the sequel, and we’re excited to see how the story unfolds.
The campaign’s narrative depth and world-building have already impressed players, and the full release is expected to deliver even more memorable moments. With new characters, plot twists, and environments, the second half of the campaign could solidify PoE 2 as one of the best ARPGs of its generation.
2. New Classes
The Early Access roster includes six classes, but the full release will double that number to 12. New additions include:
Shadow
Marauder
Duelist
Templar
Druid
Huntress
The Druid and Huntress are entirely new, offering fresh gameplay experiences. The Druid combines shapeshifting and earth magic, allowing players to transform into a powerful bear or summon devastating volcanic eruptions. Meanwhile, the Huntress wields a spear and shield, reminiscent of the Amazon class from Diablo II, with skills like Whirling Slash that create explosive wind storms.
These new classes are expected to bring unique playstyles to the game, catering to both veterans and newcomers alike.
3. Ascendancy Classes
Each base class will have three ascendancy options, totaling 36 ascendancy classes. Early Access currently offers 12, with more to come in the full release. Ascendancy classes allow players to specialize their characters further, unlocking powerful abilities and passive skills.
For example, the Stormweaver ascendancy for the Sorceress focuses on lightning damage and area control, while the Bloodmage for the Witch emphasizes life-stealing and survivability. With so many options, players will have endless opportunities to experiment with builds.
4. Increased Storage Requirements
With the wealth of new content, the full game is expected to require close to 100GB of storage space. This is a testament to the game’s detailed environments, high-quality assets, and expansive content.
5. Free-to-Play Model
Despite its depth and quality, PoE 2 will remain free-to-play. While Early Access requires a $30 purchase, the full release will be available to everyone at no cost. GGG will support the game through cosmetic microtransactions, ensuring no pay-to-win mechanics. This model has been a hallmark of Path of Exile since its inception, and it’s great to see it continue in the sequel.
What We Hope to See in the Full Release
While PoE 2 is already impressive, there’s room for improvement. Here are some key areas we’d like to see addressed:
1. A Compelling Final Act
The campaign’s first three acts have set high expectations. To stick the landing, GGG must deliver a satisfying conclusion with meaningful character development and a well-executed story. Introducing new characters and plot twists could elevate the narrative and leave a lasting impression on players.
2. Improved Mapping Mechanics
The current one-portal-per-map system is punishing. Dying means losing access to loot and additional content in that map. Reverting to PoE 1’s multi-portal system would alleviate frustration, especially for new players. Additionally, reducing the size of some maps or adding more efficient traversal options would improve the overall experience.
3. Better Class Balance
Some classes, like the Stormweaver, dominate the meta, while others, like the Warrior, struggle. GGG should rebalance skills and ascendancies to ensure all classes are viable and fun to play. Buffing underused skills and addressing overpowered builds would create a more diverse and engaging meta.
4. Armor Overhaul
Armor is currently underwhelming compared to evasion and energy shield. Strengthening armor as a defensive layer would benefit strength-based classes like the Warrior and Mercenary. This could involve increasing damage reduction or adding new mechanics that make armor more impactful.
5. Streamlined Crafting
Crafting in PoE 2 feels more like gambling than the intricate system in PoE 1. Reintroducing mechanics like the Orb of Scouring would make crafting more accessible and rewarding. Additionally, adding more deterministic crafting options would reduce reliance on RNG and encourage players to experiment with gear upgrades.
6. Faster Movement
Backtracking in large maps can be tedious. Adding movement skills like Flame Dash or Frostblink would improve traversal and overall gameplay flow. This would also make melee classes more competitive by allowing them to close gaps more effectively.
7. Respec Options
Players should be able to respec ascendancy classes and quest rewards. This flexibility would encourage experimentation and reduce the penalty for early-game decisions. For example, allowing players to reallocate quest rewards like chaos resistance bonuses would make it easier to adapt to different builds.
8. Optimization
Loading screens and resource-heavy areas need optimization to ensure smoother performance across all systems. Reducing load times and improving frame rates in crowded areas would enhance the overall experience.
9. More Chase Uniques
Chase uniques, like Ingenuity, are highly sought-after items that add depth to the endgame. Adding more of these rare and powerful items would give players long-term goals to strive for, keeping the game engaging even after hundreds of hours.
10. Improved Trials of Ascendancy
The Trials of Ascendancy are crucial for character progression but can be overly difficult for solo players. Adding checkpoints or reducing the penalty for failure would make these trials more accessible without sacrificing their challenge.
The full release of Path of Exile 2 is highly anticipated, with a potential launch window between May and December 2025. While the Early Access version is already a hit, GGG has the opportunity to address player feedback and deliver an even more polished experience.
What changes or additions would you like to see before the full release? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And if you’re already diving into PoE 2, be sure to check out our store for discounted currency bundles to enhance your gameplay.
