Конец эпохи Diablo - уходим в Path of Exile 2

Summary

The video compares Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2, asking which is more rewarding to spend time and money on. The presenters argue that the anticipated showdown between the games never really happened: in their account, Blizzard shifted Diablo 4 to lighter seasonal support and turned its focus toward Diablo 5, while Path of Exile 2 continued developing toward its full release.

How the Games Got Here

• Both games were announced in 2019. The presenters say Diablo 4 initially promised a return to a darker tone, while Path of Exile 2 impressed fans with its planned classes, skill systems, trading, and long-term endgame.
• Diablo 4’s campaign is praised for its story, characters, antagonist, and ending. Its open world, repeated side activities, and post-campaign grind are described as a major departure from earlier Diablo games.
• The first Diablo 4 expansion, Vessel of Hatred, is said to have disappointed some players, while later updates made the game more convenient by borrowing improvements associated with Diablo 3.
• The discussion describes Path of Exile 2’s early access as exciting but uneven. Some updates drew complaints that combat had become too punishing and slow; the presenters note that the developers made subsequent changes.
• The video says Blizzard announced Diablo 5 for 2029 and would no longer make major story expansions for Diablo 4. The presenters see this as a sign that Diablo 4’s long-term plan had changed.
• Path of Exile 2 is presented as still expanding, with more classes, ascendancies, skills, and endgame systems planned. The presenters also praise Grinding Gear Games for continuing to support the original Path of Exile.

Gameplay and Key Differences

• Diablo 4 is comfortable and accessible. Its loot tends to suit the character being played, builds are easy to follow through guides, and the game is well suited to relaxed sessions or playing with friends. The trade-off, according to the presenters, is less depth and experimentation.
• Path of Exile 2 offers more build variety. Players can mix active and passive skill gems across classes, search the passive tree for relevant nodes, and experiment with combinations that can produce unusual or powerful builds.
• The presenters recommend using the passive-tree search tool to find nodes that support a chosen skill, then building toward them while improving attributes and resistances.
• Path of Exile’s trading system is central to its progression: players can list items and buy from a marketplace rather than relying only on drops. The video notes that trading and managing a large stash can make some paid storage upgrades useful.
• A solo self-found mode is discussed. It removes trading and group play, but—as the presenters emphasize—does not increase drop rates. It is intended for players who want to rely on their own finds and crafting.
• New Path of Exile 2 content discussed includes the Shadow, with Assassin- and trap-focused ascendancies, and the Duelist, including a knight with a customizable squire. The endgame is also described as receiving an expanded Atlas featuring castle- and army-themed activities.

Overall Verdict

The presenters favor Path of Exile 2 for long-term depth and build experimentation, while acknowledging that its complexity and emphasis on trading may not suit everyone. Diablo 4 is framed as the better pick for a straightforward, relaxed action RPG and a more prominent story and cast of characters. The video also argues that Diablo’s recognizable world and returning figures give it an advantage in narrative identity that Path of Exile 2 has yet to match.

The closing minutes shift to informal, off-topic talk about World of Warcraft, guild donations, and the older gaming community.

People and Sources Mentioned

• IXBT Games presenters: Vitaly (Vitalik) Kazunov and Misha; Misha’s surname is not given in the subtitles.
• Jonathan Rogers and Grinding Gear Games
• Rod Fergusson and Blizzard
• Tencent
• BlizzCon and ExileCon
• Elon Musk is mentioned jokingly in relation to leaderboard competition.