In the years since its debut, the free-to-play action RPG Path of Exile has gone from a cult title to a PC phenomenon (and later on consoles), with the game having maintained a devoted following and active playerbase for over six year. While the original game has consistently maintained an active playerbase, those looking for the next chapter in the series will be able to look forward to a brand new sequel, but one that won’t leave the original game behind entirely.
During ExileCon in Auckland, New Zealand, developer Grinding Gear Games officially announced Path of Exile 2, which will act as a sequel to the free-to-play RPG. Among the biggest new features of the game will be a brand new seven-act storyline campaign, new classes, a new skill gem system, and plenty of new loot, weapons, and other items to discover.
However, as it started originally as an expansion to the first game, Path of Exile 2 will carry over microtransactions, expansions, and other features and content that were released for the original game. This will allow players to jump into the campaigns of either the original Path of Exile or Path of Exile 2, while both titles will wind up leading into the endgame content that was present in the original game.
According to Grinding Gear Games’ announcement, a beta for Path of Exile 2 shouldn’t be expected until towards the end of 2020, giving at least a year until players will be able to experience it for themselves. However, in the meantime Grinding Gear will still maintain its update schedule for the original Path of Exile with new expansions and content.
Coming off the recent announcement of Overwatch 2 by Blizzard earlier this month, it seems that Grinding Gear is taking a similar approach when it comes to making a sequel that will also cater to the original playerbase. By giving the option to play either the campaigns of the original or its sequel, Grinding Gear is making a smart play to integrate the content of two games while maintaining the active (and growing) playerbase of the original.
Path of Exile 2 will enter beta sometime in late 2020; for a closer look at the game, you can check out the brand new reveal trailer and an extended gameplay demo below:
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