Diablo 4 vs Path Of Exile 2: Which Should You Play in Late 2024?

Diablo 4 vs Path Of Exile 2: Which Should You Play in Late 2024?

Alright, folks—let's cut to the chase. Here we are, staring down the barrel of late 2024, two powerhouse ARPGs (Action Role-Playing Games) are duking it out for your attention: Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2. Both games are set to receive massive updates or new releases at this time, and the hype is real. But you’ve only got so much time in your busy life, right? You've got anime to binge, games to play, and possibly a job or school. So, which ARPG do you sink your precious hours into?

Let’s break it down—grab a drink, get comfy, and let’s see what each game brings to the table. I'll walk you through it, and I'll also throw in my personal takes and experiences to help you make the call.

What's New in Diablo 4 by Late 2024?

Diablo 4: Season of the Infernal Hordes

Diablo 4, as of late 2024, will have seen multiple seasonal updates, the biggest being the "Season of the Infernal Hordes." And if you’ve been playing since launch, you already know that Blizzard has been cranking out new content to keep the game fresh. The Infernal Hordes season brings a whole new permanent activity, a bunch of new loot, and a storyline that’s (surprise, surprise) about more demons raising hell in Sanctuary.

Key Features You Can Expect by Late 2024:

• Infernal Hordes Activity: Think of it as wave-based survival mode, but with more fire and brimstone than your average apocalypse. You can play solo or with friends, which is perfect for those of us who have that one friend who’s always online, ready to grind.
• 50+ New Unique and Legendary Items: More loot than you can shake a stick at. Whether you’re a hoarder like me or someone who loves to min-max, you’ll find something to make you OP.
• New Questline: "The End is Near": More lore, more epic moments, and more Lilith. If you’re invested in the story, this is where the plot thickens.
• Micro-Dungeons (Hellbreaches): These are mini-dungeons that offer quick hits of gameplay. Perfect when you’ve got only 20 minutes to spare but still want a taste of the action.

Now, for those of you who’ve played Diablo 4 since launch, you might be wondering if the game has improved enough to keep you hooked. Short answer? Yes, but it depends on what you’re looking for. Blizzard has been implementing quality of life updates throughout, addressing player feedback like loot distribution and weapon variety. These changes have made the game a lot more fun (and less grindy) than it was at launch.

The Good & The Bad of Diablo 4 in Late 2024:

• Good: Diablo 4 is still the king of accessibility. You can hop in, kill some demons, and get out without needing a PhD in game mechanics. The story is rich, the characters are well-developed, and the graphics? Chef’s kiss. Plus, the combat is smooth and satisfying.

• Bad: Endgame. Look, Diablo 4’s endgame is better than Diablo 3’s was at launch, but let’s be real—it’s no Path of Exile. If you’re someone who likes to grind difficult content for hundreds of hours, Diablo 4's endgame might feel like it’s missing that something. Also, the seasonal content might start to feel repetitive after a while.

Path of Exile 2: The Challenger

Path of Exile 2

Now, let’s talk about Path of Exile 2. Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has been slowly but surely building up this beast, and it’s shaping up to be a game-changer (pun intended). The closed beta is set to drop in June 2024, and by the time we hit late 2024, we’ll probably be deep into its first full release or at least close to it.

What Makes Path of Exile 2 Stand Out?

• 12 Character Classes: That’s more than double what Diablo 4 offers. And each class has three ascendancy options, so you’re not just picking a character—you’re picking a playstyle. Want to be a tanky melee fighter? Done. Want to be a glass cannon mage? Easy. Want to be... something in between? You got it.

• Skill Gem System Overhaul: If you've played PoE1, you know that skill gems can be... complicated. The new system in PoE2 simplifies things by allowing support gems to be slotted directly into active skill gems. This reduces the overwhelming complexity without dumbing the game down—perfect for someone like me who loves theory-crafting but doesn’t want to spend days figuring out how to make a build work.

• WASD Movement: Yep, you read that right. Path of Exile 2 is adding WASD movement, which is a huge change for an ARPG. This will allow players more control over their characters, making combat feel a bit more dynamic.

• Challenging Boss Fights: PoE2 is going to bring the heat with its boss mechanics. Every area will have some sort of mini-boss, and the devs are focusing on making these fights more about skill and less about gear-checks, which is something I personally love. I’m all for skill-based gameplay rather than just relying on RNG to get the right items.

The Good & The Bad of Path of Exile 2:

• Good: Complexity. PoE2 is going to have layers of depth for character building and strategy. If you’re the kind of player who loves to tinker, optimize, and explore different builds, PoE2 is going to be your playground. Plus, the devs at GGG are known for listening to their players and making adjustments based on feedback. They’re already addressing concerns from PoE1 about power creep and accessibility.

• Bad: Complexity. Wait, isn’t that a pro? Well, yes, but it’s also a con. PoE can be overwhelming, especially for new players. If you’re coming from Diablo 4’s more straightforward gameplay, jumping into PoE2 might feel like learning a new language. And while they’re making strides to simplify things, it’s still going to be a deep game.

The Big Decision: Diablo 4 or Path of Exile 2?

So, now comes the million-dollar question: Which one should you play in late 2024? Well, it depends on what kind of gamer you are.

Play Diablo 4 If:

1. You’re a casual player: Diablo 4 is way more accessible. You can hop in, play for 30 minutes, and feel like you’ve accomplished something. Plus, the story-driven content is engaging enough to keep you hooked without needing to read any guides or watch tutorials.

2. You love lore and immersion: Seriously, Blizzard knows how to weave a world that feels alive. The cutscenes, the characters, the voice acting—it’s all top-notch. If you’re someone who plays for the story and atmosphere, Diablo 4 is the clear winner.

3. You’re playing with friends: Diablo 4’s multiplayer is smooth, and it’s a great game for small groups of friends to tackle together. The game is balanced enough that you won’t feel like you’re lagging behind your friends if you can’t play as often.

Play Path of Exile 2 If:

1. You’re a hardcore ARPG fan: If you live for complex character builds, min-maxing, and endgame content that’ll challenge your brain as much as your reflexes, PoE2 is the game for you. The sheer depth of the game is going to be mind-blowing.

2. You love customization: PoE2 will give you more ways to build your character than you know what to do with. The revamped skill gem system, the massive passive skill tree, and the ascendancy classes all add up to a game that’s built for customization.

3. You don’t mind a learning curve: Let’s be real—PoE2 isn’t going to be easy to pick up, especially if you’ve never played PoE1. But if you’re up for the challenge, the rewards are going to be so worth it. Trust me, there’s nothing like finally cracking the perfect build after hours of tweaking.

Personal Thoughts (A Bit of Jack Pham Flavor)

Honestly, I’m kind of torn. On one hand, I’ve got a soft spot for Diablo. It’s like that comfort food you keep going back to. It’s familiar, it’s fun, and it’s polished. But on the other hand, PoE2 feels like the deep-dive I’ve been craving. It’s like when you get into a new anime and realize there’s 100+ episodes, and you’re just ready for the binge.

If I had to choose one, though... it’d probably be Path of Exile 2. Why? Because I like complexity. I like games that challenge me to think—games that make me feel like I’ve earned my progress. Diablo 4 is fun for a while, but I know myself—I’ll get bored if the endgame doesn’t keep me engaged. And Path of Exile 2’s endgame? It’s looking like it’s going to be a bottomless pit of content, and I am here for it.

But hey, that’s just me. You do you! Whether you want the polished, story-driven experience of Diablo 4 or the deep, complex universe of Path of Exile 2, both games are going to offer a ton of fun. And honestly, if you’ve got the time, why not play both?

Final Verdict: The Choice is Yours

At the end of the day, both Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2 are shaping up to be fantastic games. If you’re more of a casual player or someone who values story and atmosphere, Diablo 4 is probably your best bet. But if you’re in it for the long haul, love deep mechanics, and aren’t afraid of a steep learning curve, then Path of Exile 2 is going to be your new obsession.

So, what’s it going to be? Demons in Sanctuary or monsters in Wraeclast? Either way, you’re in for a hell of a ride (pun absolutely intended).