Path of Exile is a game that has been very well-received by the action RPG community. Because of that reception, we took PoE out for a test drive and offer our official review of the game. See what we've got to say before discussing it in the comments.

The latest hack-and-slash contender to bow its head and enter the arena Blizzard built is Path of Exile. Choosing from one of a number of castaway heroes, you head out into the world to conquer and vanquish. Think Conan with less loin cloth and more megalomania, and you're somewhere near the mark.

Read more of Adam Tingle's Path of Exile: The Hidden Gem of the Year.

Regarding your 'Value" comment. I gladly supported the game for much the same as I would have spent on a box, and don't begrudge them a penny of it. GGG has done a marvelous job and I only see this game continuing to consume hours in the future, unlike D3 and T2 that burned out in a month.

As to Innovation, sure the game play is very familiar, but have you reviewed the 'endgame' maps, their customization and such? Adds many many more layers of replayability and flavor. You can do the same map multiple time with different affixes for a radically different experience.

I agree with lack of innovation, which to me is the biggest gripe with PoE. While I had fun for a while with the throwback feeling of original Diablo, inevitably I was getting that I've played this before feeling.

If PoE strived a little more to be more original instead of very good Diablo clone, I think it would have a lot more longevity.

Still good a good game, it just brings very little originality to arpgs.

I think PoE deserves a higher score in innovation. PoE's currency system, flask system, crafting system, gem system, passive tree as well as the map system in endgame are certainly innovative as far as an ARPG goes.

The game I was playing at 20-30 if very different to the game im playing at 50+ with the same character.

I didnt build all defense, or all health, going a more median route than whats recommended by the min/maxers. The thing is this: What ive lost in the skill tree I am currently making up for with gear, well supported gems and an adapted divide and conquer playstyle. It is more cautious than the smash, jump, smash I had gotten used to but for me its still an appealing game and early days in that characters development.

Once I get over 60 and start hitting these crafted maps it may all change again, but for now the fun hasnt worn off and nothing has been been beyond my ability to adapt to.

Originally posted by DMKano

I agree with lack of innovation, which to me is the biggest gripe with PoE. While I had fun for a while with the throwback feeling of original Diablo, inevitably I was getting that I've played this before feeling.

If PoE strived a little more to be more original instead of very good Diablo clone, I think it would have a lot more longevity.

Still good a good game, it just brings very little originality to arpgs.

 PoE felt like a Diablo expansion pack to me......It was fun until I felt like I was running more than playing and I disliked the camera.....I got invited into beta fairly early and jsut couldn't get into it, even for free.

#1 Action RPG of all time.

Add to that:

#1 Free game of all time.

#1 MMORPG of all time.

Path of Exile on hardcore difficulty is the most challenging and rewarding experience I ever had!

The reviewer gave it a 6 for innovation based on the fact that it looks like Diablo, but didn't mention the skill gem system or the passive skill tree (which are both new additions to the hack n slash genre).

Whoever wrote this review is, frankly, not worth paying.

Sorry Adam, I have to disagree with your review.  It looks Indie with an insane cash shop.  The mechanics (combat, grouping, loot) look dated and have some horrible design flaws that should have been rectified in design by now.

I loved D1/D2 and TL/TL2.  This is getting a total pass.

Originally posted by dotdotdash

The reviewer gave it a 6 for innovation based on the fact that it looks like Diablo, but didn't mention the skill gem system or the passive skill tree (which are both new additions to the hack n slash genre).

Whoever wrote this review is, frankly, not worth paying.

I think you are missing the point of lack of innovation, game not only looks like Diablo it also plays like Diablo, they have done nothing to progress the basic game play beyond what we've been doing in Diablo 2.

Gem system, skill tree are auxiliary elements of the game, the core gameplay has no innovation. 

Imagine if PoE had aerial combat - that would be innovation for example. Or maybe mounted combat? You know things that we have not seen in arpgs before - innovation.

I see you did'nt mention the bug with the Creative Sound Cards, if you have one of these then expect to get a Blue Screen of Death every 60 minutes. This has not been resolved yet they have known about it for a very long time now.

Also the cash shop is open so i doubt they will wipe the servers  again.

Still i think it is a nice game for a f2p model, also there are no pay2win items in the cashshop.

The game deserves a higher Innovation score than 6. It brought more new features to the table than D3 did, which you actually lost features going from D2 to D3. Sad.

This game is very fun, and although Defense builds are bit necessary right now, it's still beta, and there are still hundreds of viable builds to play as each character. I have remade my duelist 4 times now and each time has had a totally different playstyle but all of them except the first were viable into cruel difficulty.

Originally posted by Normandy7
Only thing I can say is that I think meele combat still needs works. It still seems a little sluggish. Other than that it truely is fun game to play. It is so much better than Diablo 3 and  Torchlight 2. Definitely what arpg fans have been waiting for.

I think its the arpg that fans who've been disappointed with D3 have been waiting for.

PoE is not the game that has pushed the genre to the next level, so I think arpg fans are still awaiting for the game that will push the genre to the next level by offering new things that have not been done in arpgs before (and doing them well obviously)

There are two mistakes overlooked by the editor.  In the 4th paragraph, "Grind Gear Games" should be "Grinding Gear Games".  In the 12th paragraph, "battered" should be "bartered".

Innovation score makes no mention of the race leagues which are phenomenal experiences I have yet to see in the genre.  I would rate PoE closer to an 8.5 overall personally.