The Free Action RPG That Took Over Steam
Path of Exile 2 launched in Early Access in December 2024 and immediately became one of the biggest games on Steam, peaking at over 578,000 concurrent players. Developed by Grinding Gear Games, it's a free-to-play action RPG — and one of the deepest games available on Steam at any price.
If it's sitting in your library unplayed, here's everything you need to know before diving in.
What Is Path of Exile 2?
Path of Exile 2 is a dark fantasy action RPG set in Wraeclast, a corrupted continent overrun by monsters and ancient evil. You play as one of twelve character classes, fighting through a six-act campaign while building increasingly powerful character builds from hundreds of skills, passive nodes, and items.
The core loop: clear monsters, find loot, improve your build, tackle harder content. It sounds simple but the depth is enormous — Path of Exile 2 has one of the most complex build systems in gaming, with 1,500 passive skill nodes, 240 skill gems, and near-limitless combinations.
The game also supports co-op for up to six players, making it a great option for playing with friends.
Why It's Worth Your Attention
It's completely free. Path of Exile 2 is free-to-play with cosmetic-only microtransactions. No pay-to-win, no gameplay advantages behind a paywall. You get the full game for free.
The build depth is unmatched. If you enjoy theorycrafting and optimizing characters, Path of Exile 2 offers more depth than almost any other game on Steam.
It's still in Early Access. The current version includes the six-act campaign and endgame content. More acts, classes, and features are coming as development continues — meaning the game only gets bigger over time.
The atmosphere is exceptional. Dark, oppressive, and lore-rich. If you enjoy games like Diablo, Elden Ring, or Baldur's Gate 3, the world of Wraeclast will feel familiar and satisfying.
The Honest Downsides
Path of Exile 2 is not a casual game. The difficulty is high, the systems are complex, and new players frequently feel overwhelmed. The passive skill tree alone can be intimidating before you understand the structure.
The time investment is also significant. A single playthrough of the campaign takes 20-40 hours, and the endgame content extends that into hundreds of hours for dedicated players.
Player counts have declined from the December 2024 peak of 578,000 to around 10,000-15,000 concurrent players in March 2026 — a natural drop for any Early Access game after launch excitement fades, but worth noting if active community matters to you.
Should It Go On Your Backlog?
Path of Exile 2 is a game that rewards deep investment. It doesn't fit neatly into a "play and finish" backlog model — it's more of a long-term companion game.
Start it now if:
- You enjoy Diablo-style action RPGs
- You have time for a game that takes 50-200+ hours to fully experience
- Build theorycrafting and character optimization appeal to you
- You want a free game with genuine depth
- You have friends to play co-op with
- Your backlog is already full of long games
- You prefer games with a clear ending
- You're new to action RPGs — consider starting with something more accessible
- You want to wait for the full release out of Early Access
The Backlog Coach Take
Path of Exile 2 is one of the best free games on Steam — but it's a lifestyle game, not a backlog game. If you have the time and appetite for deep systems, download it tonight. It costs nothing to try.
If your backlog is already overwhelming, clear a few shorter games first. Then return to Path of Exile 2 when you can give it the time it deserves.
Connect your Steam account to Backlog Coach to figure out exactly where PoE2 fits in your gaming schedule.