Path of Exile 2, the long-awaited sequel to the critically acclaimed Path of Exile, is set to push the boundaries of what the POE 2 Currency action role-playing game (ARPG) genre can offer. With a whole new engine, a vast new campaign, and a host of innovative features, Path of Exile 2 promises an even deeper, more complex experience for players. While much of the excitement surrounding the sequel lies in its fresh story and revamped mechanics, Path of Exile 2 will also continue the series' commitment to a deep and immersive endgame.
For both newcomers and veterans of Path of Exile, understanding the various game modes and endgame systems in Path of Exile 2 is crucial to fully appreciating the expansive world and potential for character progression. This guide will walk you through the different game modes available in Path of Exile 2, as well as the detailed structure of the game’s endgame content, ensuring you’re fully prepared for the journey ahead.
Game Modes in Path of Exile 2
1. Story Campaign Mode
At its core, Path of Exile 2 will feature a story-driven campaign that serves as an introduction to the game world and mechanics. This campaign will span across multiple acts, each with unique environments, enemies, and bosses.
The campaign mode in Path of Exile 2 will take players through a brand-new storyline that takes place 20 years after the events of the original game. This fresh narrative thread will introduce new characters, quests, and challenges, offering veterans of the first game an opportunity to explore a new chapter in the Exiled world.
Key Features of Campaign Mode:
Character Customization: The campaign allows players to experiment with various character builds, as you unlock skill gems, passive skill trees, and item crafting options.
World-Building and Story: The game’s vast lore will come to life, with players encountering new factions, lore-rich NPCs, and complex moral decisions.
Difficulty Progression: As players progress through the campaign, the difficulty will increase gradually, with tougher bosses and more challenging mechanics. You will also encounter new types of monsters and environments, keeping things fresh.
The campaign mode functions as a tutorial for new players and a way for veterans to refresh their skills. Completing the story unlocks additional game modes and access to more advanced content.
2. The Atlas of Worlds (Endgame Mode)
The Atlas of Worlds is one of Path of Exile’s most iconic endgame systems, and Path of Exile 2 will continue to expand upon it. After completing the main campaign, players will have access to the Atlas, where they can begin their journey toward the endgame.
In the Atlas, players will explore randomized maps that offer a mix of combat challenges, puzzle elements, and loot. These maps will scale in difficulty, offering higher rewards and more intricate challenges the further you progress.
Key Features of the Atlas:
Map System: Players can collect various map fragments that they can use to generate randomized maps filled with monsters and bosses. These maps can range from easy to extremely challenging, depending on modifiers and map levels.
Endgame Bosses: Completing certain maps will trigger encounters with powerful bosses, each with unique mechanics and rewards.
Progression: As you progress through the Atlas, you will unlock new regions, sockets, and affixes to further customize your maps. The higher the level of the map, the more difficult the enemies and the greater the rewards.
The Atlas will be the primary source of progression and exploration in Path of Exile 2, providing players with near-endless content to experience after completing the campaign.
3. Labyrinth and Trials
The Labyrinth is another staple of Path of Exile that will return in Path of Exile 2. It is a series of intricate mazes filled with traps, puzzles, and deadly enemies, with significant rewards at the end. The Labyrinth serves as a way to unlock Ascendancy classes, which provide unique and powerful abilities that complement your chosen character build.
In addition to the main Labyrinth, there will be various Trials that must be completed to unlock additional endgame content and Ascendancy nodes.
Key Features of the Labyrinth:
Ascendancy Classes: These special classes offer players new paths for specialization. They can dramatically change the way your character plays by offering powerful new abilities and synergies.
Challenging Puzzles and Traps: The Labyrinth will test not only your combat prowess but also your ability to buy Path of Exile 2 Currency solve environmental puzzles and avoid traps.
Rewards: Completing the Labyrinth provides players with Ascendancy points, which unlock new potential within your build. These points offer powerful passive skill tree bonuses that dramatically improve your character’s effectiveness.