Path of Exile 2: Release Date, Early Access, and Everything We’ve Discovered So Far
By
Joey Carr
on
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Path of Exile 2 is the highly awaited follow-up in the renowned ARPG series, set to launch on December 6. The initial release of Path of Exile 2 will be in early access, and players can exclusively gain early access by acquiring a supporter pack from the developer’s website. A full release is expected in 2025, and the team at Grinding Gear Games will reveal more content progressively.
Throughout the early access period of Path of Exile 2, players will have access to only a portion of the game’s content. This includes a selection of classes, part of the campaign, and likely only a limited loot table. For now, you can check the sections below to see everything we currently know about Path of Exile 2.
Path of Exile 2 Release Date
The initial release date for Path of Exile 2 is set for December 6, 2024. This date applies only to players who have purchased early access to the game, which is presently the only way to experience Path of Exile 2. During the entirety of the early access period, which may extend for an undisclosed duration, you must make a purchase to play.
Currently, we do not know how long Path of Exile 2 will remain in early access. The duration likely depends on the stability of the build and how many issues the developers must address during the early access period. Path of Exile 2 has already faced delays multiple times, so it’s uncertain when the full release date will be finalized.
Preorder Path Of Exile 2
Since Path of Exile 2 is currently in early access, there is presently no option to pre-order the game. The only action you can take is to acquire the early access version through a variety of Supporter Packs. These Supporter Packs start at $30 and provide a key for the early access version, along with various in-game content and currency to spend in the shop. The more expensive packs offer significantly more in-game content and currency as well as some real-world items, like clothing. You can view the details of each available Supporter Pack in our latest guide.
Watch The Path Of Exile 2 Trailer Here
Since the announcement of Path of Exile 2 and its early access version, multiple trailers and livestreams have showcased various elements of the game. The most recent trailer highlights everything about early access, including some of the key classes and content you can expect at launch. There are additional trailers that cover specific classes in Path of Exile 2, such as the Witch and Ranger. The Path of Exile YouTube channel features dozens of other videos that delve into in-depth aspects of various parts of the game.
Path Of Exile 2 Platforms
Unlike its predecessor, Path of Exile 2 will only be available on the new-generation platforms as well as PC and Mac. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S players will finally experience the Path of Exile series in all its glory with a version tailored for the latest consoles, following a period where the original was limited to older consoles for several years. At the time of this writing, there are no plans to release Path of Exile 2 on any additional platforms, such as the Nintendo Switch.
One significant change in Path of Exile 2 from the original is the introduction of cross-platform play and cross-progression. No matter what system you’re on, you can team up in Path of Exile 2 with up to five other players in your party (for a total of six). Even if you’re on PC and your friends are on PS5, you can easily group up with them using the in-game friends list.
There is also complete cross-progression support, allowing you to access your account regardless of what platform you’re using. You can be playing on PC one day and then switch to Xbox Series X the next day and still retain all your progress.
Path Of Exile 2 Story, Setting, And Characters
The narrative in Path of Exile 2 takes place twenty years after the events of the original game. In the original, the story revolves around you and others being exiled from the island nation of Oriath to the devastated land of Wraeclast. There are dark powers aiming to control Oriath, and it’s your mission to navigate Wraeclast and prevent these forces from completely overruning your former homeland. In Path of Exile 2, the world will mostly be independent from the original, but there will be some returning characters.
Throughout the 20-year interval between the original and the sequel, the lands of Wraeclast and Oriath have undergone significant changes. The game commences with your character being sentenced to death by the “Iron Count.” You ultimately escape this execution and stumble upon a nearby town called Clearfell Encampment, with surrounding regions being overwhelmed by a phenomenon known as the “Seed of Corruption.” At the conclusion of Act 1, you confront the Iron Count in a pivotal battle to cleanse Clearfell from corruption and advance to the Vastiri Desert, a region from the original game. The remainder of the narrative follows a similar structure from act to act.
The early access version of the game will likely encompass three Acts at the start. At the end of each Act, a unique boss battle will occur that guides players into the subsequent act of the campaign. Along the way, players will encounter familiar locations, as well as many new ones. You do not need to have played the original Path of Exile to understand the events in the sequel, however.
In total, the early access version is expected to offer approximately 50 hours of content across the three Acts and the endgame. The endgame is an aspect that the developers will continue to build upon as early access progresses. Players can also spend considerable time developing each character by completing side quests, discovering new areas and characters, and attempting to defeat bosses repeatedly for loot drops.
