# Path of Exile 2 vs Diablo 4

As of 11 November 2026, 76% of 169,256 player reviews recommend Path of Exile 2, and 69% of 62,226 recommend Diablo IV.

> Players rate Path of Exile 2 higher, 76% to 69%. They credit it with harder, weightier fights and builds that any class can take anywhere, and fault Diablo IV for its shop, its always-online play and an expansion that locks parts of each class. Diablo IV keeps the edge for its campaign and presentation.

## In short

Path of Exile 2 suits players who want slow, demanding fights and builds they can take in any direction, and it costs nothing from 11 December. Diablo IV suits players who want a striking campaign and an easier start, and who accept an online connection, a cosmetic shop and an expansion for the full class kits.

## At a glance

| | Path of Exile 2 | Diablo IV |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Released | 6 December 2024 | 17 October 2023 |
| Price at launch | $0 | $49.99 |
| Developer | Grinding Gear Games | Blizzard Entertainment |
| Publisher | Grinding Gear Games | Blizzard Entertainment |
| Players recommend it | 76% of 169,256 reviews | 69% of 62,226 reviews |
| Our reading | 80 most helpful and 40 latest reviews, read 8 November 2026 | 80 most helpful and 40 latest reviews, read 8 November 2026 |

## What players praise

### Path of Exile 2

- **Combat feels weighty and tactical.** Enemies punish careless positioning, bosses reward learning their attack tells, and every hit lands with weight.
- **The dark world looks striking.** Players praise the grim atmosphere, the sound design and the visual effects.
- **Hard fights make wins feel earned.** Dying is part of the loop, and learning a boss and beating it on a later try is what keeps players coming back.
- **Any class can use any skill.** Skill gems and weapons aren’t tied to a class, and respecs are cheap enough to try new builds.

### Diablo IV

- **It looks and sounds superb.** The gothic art, the cinematics and the soundtrack earn the most praise.
- **The campaign holds attention.** Players rate the story, the quests and the voice acting highly.
- **Combat and classes satisfy.** Fights feel good, and the classes offer enough build variety to keep players going.
- **Later seasons improved it.** Many players say seasons and patches have made the endgame and crafting far more complete than at launch.

## What players criticise

### Path of Exile 2

- **Loot and crafting feel too random.** Useful rares are scarce and crafting works like gambling, so upgrades often come from trading or a lucky currency drop.
- **Crashes and lag still hit some players.** Players report hard crashes, freezes and network hitches, and some AMD graphics cards need an older driver.
- **Deaths cost a lot.** In the endgame each death costs 10% of a level’s experience, often with maps and loot, and some one-shot deaths give little warning.
- **The endgame grind wears thin.** Map modifiers stack penalties, only a few builds clear maps well, and many find the trials punishing.

### Diablo IV

- **The shop and battle pass feel steep.** Cosmetics often cost $25 to $30, and a paid battle pass sits on top of the base price.
- **It’s always online, even solo.** The campaign needs a live connection, so lag, timeouts and server trouble can cut sessions short.
- **The expansion locks parts of each class.** Skill nodes, skill modifiers and higher difficulties sit behind the Lord of Hatred expansion, so many feel they must buy it to build the character they want.
- **Seasons repeat themselves.** Seasonal rewards take long grinds, and several players say each season reuses old content and resets progress within months.

## Which to pick

- Pick Path of Exile 2 if you want slower, demanding fights and deep builds, and don’t mind a long grind and some luck in your loot.
- Pick Diablo IV if you want a polished campaign and an easier way into builds, and don’t mind an online connection, a cosmetic shop and buying the expansion.

## Questions

### Is Path of Exile 2 better than Diablo 4?

Players rate it higher. As of 11 November 2026, 76% of Path of Exile 2’s 169,256 reviews recommend it and 69% of Diablo IV’s 62,226. Players who compare them credit Path of Exile 2’s build freedom and harder combat, while some prefer Diablo IV’s campaign and presentation.

### Which is better for beginners?

Diablo IV. Its players call the campaign approachable and say builds come together without a guide. Path of Exile 2’s skill tree reads more easily than the first game’s, but its early acts are hard without one.

### Which has the better endgame?

Players are divided on both. Diablo IV’s endgame has grown over its seasons, though many find the seasons repetitive. Path of Exile 2’s mapping draws criticism for stacked penalties and a costly death penalty, though its latest endgame changes earn some praise.

### How much do Path of Exile 2 and Diablo 4 cost?

Path of Exile 2 becomes free-to-play at its full release on 11 December 2026, and until then it’s in paid early access. Diablo IV is $49.99 on PC, and its players report that parts of each class need the Lord of Hatred expansion.

### Does Diablo 4 need an internet connection?

Yes. Its players say the campaign needs a live connection even when playing alone, and they count lag and timeouts among its main faults.

## Sources

235. Grinding Gear Games, Path of Exile 2 full release: https://pathofexile2.com/fullrelease
238. Steam: Path of Exile 2, store page and user reviews: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2694490/
244. Steam: Diablo IV, store page and user reviews: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2344520/

Page: https://creativecult.digital/compare/path-of-exile-2-vs-diablo-4