Quick Look: Path of Exile Beta (with Gameplay Video)

Fans of Action Role-Playing Games have been treated with quite a lot of interesting experiences in recent months, ranging from the blockbuster Diablo 3, to independent efforts like Krater or Torchlight II.

Now, New Zealand-based studio Grinding Gear Games is set to arrive with Path of Exile, an online ARPG that sports a gritty look and proudly hypes up the possibility of customizing your character in all sorts of ways.

The free-to-play MMO is currently in closed beta, but we had a chance to try it out, so here’s our quick look at Path of Exile.

While Path of Exile tries some different things, you can’t help but notice the array of aspects it borrows from cult classic Diablo II, from the character selection screen to the overall tone of its graphics.

This isn’t a bad thing, however, as the online game will certainly draw in lots of RPG fans through these similarities and keep them drawn in thanks to its pretty decent gameplay.

One of the game’s standout features is the array of skills you can select for your character. While you can choose between multiple classes, ranging from Templar or Duelist to Shadow, Ranger, Witch or Marauder, you have complete access to the giant skill tree that allows you to customize your abilities in all sorts of ways.

Path of Exile also sports a special kind of rune system, allowing players to insert one of three types of runes into slots found on weapons or armor, each offering different abilities and progressing as you use them more and more. As such, you can have two swords and each will have different abilities thanks to the runes.

Sadly, while this free-to-play online game sounds good, there are quite a few areas where it stumbles, including the rather outdated feel of its menu system, the dreary-looking visual style, or the camera that needs to be further zoomed out.

Even so, hardcore Diablo II fans that aren’t interested in this third game can certainly try it out, especially alongside friends, although it’s not required, even if it’s an MMO.

Path of Exile is expected to enter open beta status this summer. Until then, you can check it out in action above.

Worth a full Softpedia review: No.