Once upon a time there was a worldwide shortage of top-down action-RPGs, so a band of intrepid developers set out to remedy the crisis using nothing but their own wits. That time was 2010, and the remedy was Path of …
Once upon a time there was a worldwide shortage of top-down action-RPGs, so a band of intrepid developers set out to remedy the crisis using nothing but their own wits.
That time was 2010, and the remedy was Path of Exile.
In case you’ve never played it, Path of Exile is a hack and slash RPG in the tradition of the Diablo series. It sees you washing up on the shores of Wraeclast, a giant penal colony which was once the seat of a great empire, and trying to survive.
That means banding together with other exiles, exploring the ruins of the Eternal Empire and the Vaal civilization, and killing a whole lot of convicts.
At the outset you can choose from six classes – Duelist, Marauder, Ranger, Shadow, Templar and Witch. Each of these is aligned in different ways to the three main attributes of Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence, though you can level up any skill you like – you just get particular advantages when levelling up the skills you’re aligned best with.
Like Diablo, its closest inspiration, Path of Exile is viewed from an overhead perspective, giving you an excellent view of your surroundings. And what surroundings they are. The continent of Wraeclast comprises numerous diverse environments, from huge outdoor areas to subterranean caves. The 3D visuals are smooth and packed with detail.
Outside the encampments, these areas are procedurally generated, meaning you’ll never come across the same bit of landscape twice, giving Path of Exile literally infinite topographical variety. Not bad for a free download.
Yep, free. You don’t have to fork out any cash to download Path of Exile, though you can spend real money on POE Currency and POE Orbs to enhance your fun and give your character a boost.
Millions of action-RPG nuts can’t be wrong. Head on over to Steam to play Path of Exile for free right now.
