POE2 Review (Early Impressions)

POE2 Review (Early Impressions)

POE2 is a work in progress. It might take another 1–2 years before it really hits its stride, but there’s already a lot of good here. Unfortunately, many of the old problems from POE1 continue into POE2 — bugs, clunky systems, and issues with build diversity.

A lot of skills and classes feel underpowered, and endgame is seriously lacking. Build diversity needs major improvement. Right now, the game still leans too heavily into the POE1 “zoom-zoom race” mentality, where speed farming dominates everything. That style should be rewarded, but slower, more methodical playstyles also need their own benefits and rewards.

Players shouldn’t be punished for playing differently. Diversity means more viable builds, fewer unnecessary nerfs, and more opportunities for creativity. Endgame shouldn’t just be about dodging one-shots, stacking layers of defense, or forcing everyone into the same meta mechanics. Melee, ranged, and casters should each feel unique, skillful, and capable of handling endgame without being forced into broken setups.

Mapping also feels too grindy and repetitive. Big maps are tiring, and stacking mechanics or chasing specific “towel” (atlas?) grinds just isn’t fun. Endgame needs more variety, balance, and activities based on fun and skill — not just “let’s see how much we can punish the player.”

Don’t get me wrong, I love challenge, skill expression, and action. It’s also fun to sometimes feel overpowered and smash a room. The problem is POE2 currently lacks that balance. Too much relies on speed farming in groups, magic find stacking, and effects so overblown you can’t even see what’s happening — add lag on top of that, and it feels more like work than play.

I know it’s hard for a dev team to change a design philosophy when they’ve worked a certain way for so long. But GGG has shown amazing innovation in the past, and I still have hope. I supported POE1 financially for years, and I’d love to feel that POE2 is worth the same support. Right now, it’s not quite there yet, but with more focus on diversity, fun, and rewarding different playstyles, POE2 could become something truly great.

Positives in POE2

Graphics & feel: Visuals are solid, and the core combat feels satisfying. Many skills and hits have real impact.

Boss fights: Boss mechanics are improved overall. Dodge and movement feel more involved, making fights dynamic (though some are overly punishing on a first attempt).

Build variety (potential): While balance needs work, there is some variety in playstyles, and many builds feel different from each other, which keeps experimentation fun.

Item hunting & crafting: High-end gear is harder to find or craft, which makes upgrades feel rewarding. Crafting isn’t overly complex right now, which is refreshing compared to late POE1. I hope they keep improving it and maybe even add in-game guidance (AI or tips) to make crafting more approachable.

Progression: There’s still a clear sense of progression, with goals to chase, upgrades to pursue, and milestones to hit. That “just one more upgrade” feeling is alive and well.

Co-op play: Playing with 1–2 friends feels good — fun and engaging without overcrowding. (Though visual clutter from other people’s skills needs a fix.)

Economy & trade: Upcoming changes to trade look promising and are long overdue. This could make the game much smoother for both casual and serious players.

Unarmed builds & variety: It’s exciting to see old build archetypes like unarmed making a return. This shows the devs are open to keeping things fresh.

Future potential: POE2 feels like it could become a great ARPG once it matures. If they continue improving diversity, balance, and endgame, it may truly shine in a year or two.