Welcome back, Exiles. The Path of Exile 2 (PoE2) community has been buzzing lately with a fascinating debate: is PoE2 slowly turning into “Path of Exile 1.5”? What began as a conversation about balance and identity has evolved into a larger discussion about what Grinding Gear Games (GGG) is trying to achieve with its long-awaited sequel. For many, POE 2 Currency Orbs was expected to be a radical evolution — a new game with a new identity — but as the months go on, it's becoming clear that GGG's vision is shifting back toward the formula that made Path of Exile 1 so beloved in the first place.
And you know what? That might actually be the best thing that could happen.
A Strong Start, a Predictable Drop, and a Promising Recovery
We're now several weeks into PoE2's latest league, and the numbers tell an interesting story. While an initial drop-off in player counts was inevitable — as it always is in ARPGs — the overall retention rate is remarkably strong. Steam charts show a 24-hour peak of around 70,000 players and roughly 40,000 concurrent users, even this deep into the league cycle. That's not just “good” — that's exceptional for a game that's still in development and hasn't even reached its 1.0 launch.
Patch 0.3 and the more recent 0.3.1 update seem to have turned the tide. After a rocky 0.1 and 0.2, where many fans were left questioning the game's direction, GGG's latest updates have restored much of the community's confidence. The introduction of Abyss crafting, boss reworks, and major endgame adjustments have made the game more fun and more rewarding.
Player retention data shows it clearly: the drop-off rate in PoE2 is around 20.6%, compared to over 60% in earlier patches. That's a dramatic improvement, and much of it can be attributed to the game's growing resemblance to the systems and philosophies of PoE1 — the same foundation that built one of the most successful ARPGs of all time.
The “Path of Exile 1.5” Argument: A Community Divided
Here's where things get interesting. Many players have noticed that PoE2 is gradually adopting more of PoE1's DNA — from mapping systems and ascendancy balance to boss design and itemization philosophy. What was initially envisioned as a “new generation” ARPG is, patch by patch, morphing into what some are calling Path of Exile 1.5.
At first glance, that might sound like a bad thing. But when you consider the state of ARPGs today, it's arguably a necessary evolution.
GGG initially tried to reinvent the wheel with PoE2 — focusing on slower, more methodical combat, a reworked endgame progression, and a campaign that leaned into realism and pacing over power fantasy. While noble in concept, it simply didn't feel like Path of Exile. Players missed the chaos, the speed, the feeling of unstoppable progression.
So GGG pivoted.
The 0.3 series of patches marks a clear design philosophy shift: instead of distancing PoE2 from its predecessor, GGG is embracing what made PoE1 special. Faster gameplay. More flexible builds. Complex crafting. Meaningful loot explosions. In other words, the soul of Path of Exile.
And the community seems to agree. In a recent poll with over a thousand votes, 61% of players said they were happy with the current direction, while only 6% were outright negative. About 20% expressed long-term concern, and the remaining 14% didn't care either way. That's an overwhelming show of support for what many once feared — that PoE2 would become too similar to PoE1.
Patch 0.3.1: A Turning Point
The latest patch deserves special mention. Update 0.3.1 tackled one of the game's biggest problems: its lack of identity. Previously, PoE2 struggled to decide whether it wanted to be a “gritty, deliberate” ARPG like Dark Souls or a “power-crazed build lab” like PoE1. Now, it's finding a healthy middle ground.
Bosses have received significant buffs to health and mechanics, maps now include bosses in every instance (eliminating backtracking), and loot drops feel more satisfying and plentiful. The new Abyss crafting system has also revitalized item progression, giving players more control over their gear without removing the thrill of RNG.
The only major criticism left is the state of Uber bosses — currently too easy relative to the regular map bosses. But that's a good problem to have. GGG now has the foundation to make meaningful tweaks without breaking the entire system, something that was nearly impossible in earlier patches.
In short, 0.3.1 feels like the patch where PoE2 finally “clicked.” The game feels good to play, it's stable (crashes aside), and the loop of combat, loot, and build crafting finally feels like classic Path of Exile again.
Why Returning to PoE1's Roots Makes Sense
Critics of PoE2's “backward pivot” argue that it's betraying its original vision — that by making it more like PoE1, GGG is stifling innovation. But that view ignores the lessons of history.
Path of Exile 1 was not an overnight success. It evolved over a decade of experimentation, iteration, and feedback. The Atlas system, ascendancies, and endgame mapping were all ideas that took years to perfect. PoE2 was trying to leapfrog that entire process by reinventing the formula from scratch — and in doing so, it risked losing what made the franchise special.
Now, GGG is doing what smart developers do: they're building on what works. The current structure — with precursor tablets, revamped bossing, and a hybrid endgame loop — is reminiscent of PoE1's Atlas but with modern improvements. It's familiar enough to feel like home, but different enough to feel fresh.
This isn't regression. It's refinement.
The Future of Mapping and Endgame
Endgame mapping in PoE2 has become far more rewarding, with every map guaranteed to feature a boss encounter. It may seem like a small change, but it eliminates wasted time and reinforces a core ARPG principle: every run should feel like progress.
The precursor tablet system — a kind of modular map modifier similar to scarabs in PoE1 — is also a massive step forward. Players can now customize the kind of encounters and loot they want without relying solely on RNG. It's a system that encourages experimentation and player agency, two of PoE's strongest pillars.
There's also a growing sense that GGG is laying the groundwork for returning league mechanics from PoE1. Abyss has already been reworked beautifully, and there are strong hints that Delve, Blight, and Heist will eventually return in reimagined forms.
This is exactly what fans have been hoping for: a future where PoE2 inherits the content depth of PoE1 while refining its systems for a new generation.
The Case for Longevity
Path of Exile 1 has been running for over 12 years — an incredible feat in gaming longevity. PoE2, if handled correctly, could easily carry the franchise another decade or more.
It's unlikely that we'll see a full 1.0 launch before late 2026, given the amount of polishing and content still in development. But that's not a bad thing. GGG has proven with PoE1 that slow, deliberate growth leads to sustainable success. As long as the team continues delivering meaningful updates at the pace of 0.3 and 0.3.1, the player base will remain engaged.
Moreover, GGG has clearly figured out its workflow. The announcement of PoE1's 3.27 patch shows that both games can coexist without one starving the other. That's vital for ensuring PoE2's long-term health while still honoring the legacy of its predecessor.
Why the Community Needs to Relax
Some players remain anxious about PoE2's trajectory — fearing that it's losing its individuality or becoming a “re-skinned PoE1.” But the reality is far more nuanced.
PoE2 is different. Its combat pacing, visual fidelity, class design, and campaign structure are all major upgrades. What it shares with PoE1 are its core values: build freedom, mechanical depth, and long-term replayability. Those aren't things to shy away from — they're the reasons millions of players fell in love with the franchise in the first place.
Besides, the developers themselves are gamers. They've played both games extensively and have admitted that some of their earlier design choices simply weren't fun. Their decision to steer PoE2 closer to PoE1's design isn't a capitulation — it's an acknowledgment that fun should always come first.
The Road Ahead
Looking forward, the next few patches will be crucial. Expect Uber bosses to be scaled up, additional endgame content to be introduced, and more systems like Delve and Heist to be integrated. Crafting will also continue to evolve — perhaps even bringing back a version of the beloved crafting bench for accessibility.
The game still has rough edges: performance issues, overly generous ascendancy progression, and a few redundant systems like the tower mechanic. But these are fixable problems. What matters most is that PoE2 now has a clear identity and a stable foundation to build upon.
When the game finally hits its 1.0 milestone, it won't be remembered as “the failed sequel that tried to be different.” It'll be remembered as the natural successor — the bridge between a legendary game and its future.
Final Thoughts
So, is Path of Exile 2 becoming “Path of Exile 1.5”?
Yes — and that's exactly why it's succeeding.
GGG has realized that the best version of PoE2 is not one that abandons its roots, but one that embraces them while improving upon them. The current state of the game — balanced, diverse, and genuinely fun — proves that the studio's course correction was the right move buy POE 2 Currency Orbs.
PoE2 may have started as an experiment in reinvention, but it's maturing into something even more meaningful: a celebration of everything that made Path of Exile great in the first place.
For those still skeptical, here's the truth: Path of Exile 2 isn't a downgrade. It's evolution through refinement — and if this trajectory continues, the eventual 1.0 release will not only surpass PoE1 but cement GGG's legacy as the masters of the ARPG genre.
Until then, keep farming, keep crafting, and remember — Exile, you were never meant to stop at the first act. The best is yet to come.