Path of Exile review: the deepest ARPG ever made is completely free

The verdict

Path of Exile is the deepest action RPG ever made, and it's free. A 1,300-node passive skill tree, a gem system with thousands of build combinations, and an endgame with no ceiling. Grinding Gear Games built the ARPG endgame that Diablo fans dreamed about — and gave it away.

What works

The build variety is genuinely infinite. The passive tree, skill gems, support gems, and item crafting combine into a system where you can theorycraft for hours and still find something new. Want to play a minion army? A spell-totem archer? A right-click lightning golem? It's all viable.

The endgame is the star. The atlas has 100+ maps, each with its own modifiers, plus Uber bosses that demand real gear and knowledge. League mechanics like Heist, Delve, and Expedition give you parallel progression paths. Every 3 months, a new league resets the economy and adds fresh mechanics.

The monetization is the gold standard. The shop sells cosmetics and stash tabs — that's it. You can play 5,000 hours and never pay a cent. Stash tabs (~$10-20 total) are the only convenience worth buying.

What doesn't

The learning curve is a cliff. Your first character will die constantly, and you'll make irreversible mistakes. The wiki isn't optional — it's required reading. This game does not hold your hand.

The campaign drags after Act 5, and the difficulty spike at Act 6 catches everyone off guard. Power through — the endgame is worth it.

Should you play it?

If you want an ARPG that rewards knowledge and theorycrafting, Path of Exile is unmatched. If you want something casual and accessible, look at Lost Ark instead. But if you stick with it, PoE will give you more hours per dollar (zero) than any game you own.

Score: 9/10 — Must-play.

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Path of Exile is free on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Compare it head-to-head in our PoE vs Lost Ark guide.