I play a lot of video games. One of my favorite genres is the ARPG (Action Role Playing Game). I’ve probably played close to a thousand hours of Diablo 2 over the last twenty-five years.

So I’ve been eagerly anticipating the early-access release of Path of Exile 2. After playing it over the weekend, I’m happy to say that the game doesn’t disappoint. In fact, I think it exceeds every expectation I had.

It is by far the best feeling and most engaging ARGP I’ve ever played. The combat is slower-paced than most ARPGs, and it incorporates a Dark Souls dodge-roll. These two design choices give combat a weight and immediacy that’s missing from other click-happy ARPGs.

Combine this with a new stun mechanic, in that almost all monsters and bosses have a stun meter that can be used to stun them for a few seconds, and a new movement system where you use WASD instead of the mouse, and the combat feels fresh and tactical in a way that I’ve been craving from a new ARPG for years.

There’s some real, much needed, innovation of the genre here, and I’m thrilled to see it.

The game is also tuned to be challenging instead of a pushover. It is so refreshing to have to actually focus, learn the patterns, and utilize all of my abilities to down a boss rather than stand next to it and hold down left-click.

There have been a few minor gripes, but the developers have already released a patch to address the most annoying complaints. I’m excited to watch the game grow and improve, and I plan to play it for many years to come.