Summary
Path of Exile 2has steadily been taking the ARPG space by storm over the last month, offering a unique and timely experience for those who might have been growing weary of other games in the genre, likeDiablo 4. It isn’t perfect by any means, but it is in early access, after all, so shortcomings are to be expected. The biggest thing missing now is a developmental roadmap for the game, which would more clearly outline Grinding Gear Games' plans forPath of Exile 2during early access.
It’s unclear whether Grinding Gear Games has plans to release an early access roadmap forPath of Exile 2, as not providing one can sometimes be more beneficial for early access games than providing one. That being said, an early access roadmap forPath of Exile 2would at least hold the developer’s feet to the fire while simultaneously offering devoted players a light at the end of the tunnel. The lack of a roadmap of any kind would just continue to leave players in the dark about GGG’s plans forPath of Exile 2during its early access period, although the developer could still provide updates in other ways. Assuming it does plan to unveil an early access roadmap for the game at some point, however, there are a few major things that roadmap should highlight, given the current state ofPath of Exile 2.
Everything an Early Access Roadmap Should Lay Out for Path of Exile 2
When the Remaining Classes Will Be Added
Perhaps the most important thing an early access roadmap forPath of Exile 2would need to cover is when the remaining classes will be added to the game. At the moment, only six of the twelveclasses inPath of Exile 2are available, with the remaining six classes — Druid, Marauder, Templar, Duelist, Shadow, and Huntress — expected to be added at a later date. Currently, there has been no indication from Grinding Gear Games about whenPath of Exile 2’s other six classes will be added, along with whether they will all be added simultaneously or be released in waves/individually. Since two of the classes currently missing from the game (Huntress and Druid) are brand-new toPath of Exile, there is all the more reason for an early access roadmap to divulge when they will be added.
Targeted Windows for Endgame Content Refinement
Another big point of contention inPath of Exile 2’s early access has been its endgame, which was intended by Grinding Gear Games to be the star of the show and yet has fallen short for some players. One of the ongoing issues inPath of Exile 2’s endgameis its struggle to find a balance between challenge and reward. GGG has implemented updates to the game in an attempt to improve that balance, but there is still more work to be done. IfPath of Exile 2were to receive an early access roadmap at some point, GGG might be behooved to indicate on that roadmap regular intervals for endgame refinement, as well as what those updates might hone in on.
Projected Dates for Balance, Quality-of-Life, and Performance Updates
Finally, it would make sense for aPath of Exile 2early access roadmap to include projected dates for balance, quality-of-life, and performance updates, all of which are commonly expected of an early access game. At the moment, there are plenty of features and mechanics inPath of Exile 2that need to be added, reworked, or overhauled. For example, the addition of an auto-sort option for the player’s inventory, automatic item comparison, or the option to remove item sockets would benefit the game greatly. A timeline for updates like this, as well as the balance and performance tweaks thatgames likePath of Exile 2demand, would likely give players more hope about the game’s progress during early access and simultaneously let them know their feedback is being considered.
Despite the absence of a roadmap and plenty more updates that still need to be made to the game,Path of Exile 2has already laid a solid foundation for its future. However, early access is just as much about transparency as it is development, and aPath of Exile 2roadmap would better offer that. ShouldGrinding Gear Gameseventually more clearly outline its plans in such a way, indicating whenPath of Exile 2’s remaining classes will be added, targeted windows for endgame content refinement, and projected dates for balance, quality-of-life, and performance updates feel like a must.
