The 2013 Game Wisdom Awards: #9

Our next winner is a F2P game that has been in development for awhile now and proof that good things come to those that wait.

#9 — Path of Exile:

Path of Exile developed by Grinding Gear Games was a return to the dark and gritty world of ARPGs like Diablo 2, but there is a lot more under the surface. New abilities are not given out through leveling up but are equipped via skill gems onto any of your equipment. Upgrades are handled by a massive skill page where the different classes start out at different areas.

But unlike other ARPGs, you are free to go down any of the paths allowing complete personalization with your character. And this is on top of an expansive loot system designed to scratch that ARPG itch. What’s smart about the attribute system compared to Diablo 3 is that each attribute provides benefits to all classes as there aren’t specific ways to build them.

This made Path of Exile one of the few ARPGS where players can start with the same class template and end up with completely different characters through skill gem and tree specialization.

Besides having a complete campaign and hardcore mode (with co-op for each,) the developers have introduced special ladder contests where players can compete to see who can get the furthest with a new character under specific conditions. The rewards for playing and winning were special in game prizes as rewards on top of bragging rights.

And the best part is that all of this is completely free. Microtransactions are built around costume effects, pets, increase stash space and different spell animations. None of which that could be considered game breaking or pay to win.

The spell animations were a brilliant idea as it adds a cool factor to your characters without requiring any kind of game balance. Making it rank up there with the premium skins for League of Legends as a smart microtransaction.

The level of polish and thoughtfulness that has gone into Path of Exile is astonishing for a F2P game and is the reason for such a long time in beta.

The only thing that kept the game from scoring higher on my list is that the game does lack the “pop” of something like Diablo 3. Most enemies are very generic and it doesn’t have that same pick up and play feel that Diablo 3 had.

Combat, despite all the different abilities and equipment does start to wear thin after awhile due to the limited animations.  You won’t run into more complex characters until the end of the game and the same basic strategies almost work every time. Boss fights do mix things up and can take down an unaware player.

The skill gem system has been debated over the game’s beta. Some people felt that it was a great way of providing customization to the player. However this comes at the cost of the game taking a long time to get going as you won’t really be able to get into combat until you collect some gems. But outside of quest drops, you’ll have to get lucky to find a skill gem.

But it definitely beats what Diablo 3 was at launch in terms of design and now that it is out, the sky is the limit for what Grinding Gear can do with Path of Exile.

Up next # 8

Click here to go back to the main list