Path of Exile 2 is Grinding Gear Games' upcoming sequel to the developer's hit 2013 ARPG. While it was originally intended to be nothing more than a significant update to the first game, Grinding Gear opted to make Path of Exile 2 a standalone sequel instead. Judging by what it will be adding to the first game's formula, with new classes like the Mercenary and Druid as well as some starkly different combat mechanics, "sequel" does seem like the most accurate term for it. The developer has been showcasing much of Path of Exile 2's gameplay since its announcement, but even more of the sequel was revealed at PlayStation's recent State of Play event, including its early access release window.

Currently, Path of Exile 2 is slated for a "late 2024" early access release, which could see it launched anytime between September and November. In the world of video games, it's always important for developers to consider the timing of their releases, to avoid launching too close to other titles that could potentially overshadow them. Guerrilla Games' Horizon series, for example, is notorious for sharing its release dates with other highly anticipated titles that only serve to hog the limelight. Now, it seems Path of Exile 2 might be making that same mistake with its release window, though it's still possible things could swing either way.

Path of Exile 2 Faces Big Competition With Its Release Window

Diablo 4 Is Path of Exile 2's Biggest Competitor

In the world of top-down ARPGs, Diablo 4 sits comfortably at the top. While it might have initially had a rough go of it for a while due to the pacing of its story and its controversial quality-of-life features, it has more recently been on a winning streak with Diablo 4's fourth season, Loot Reborn.

Loot Reborn essentially replaced Diablo 4's seasonal model with a renewed emphasis on reworking the game's loot, and it has largely paid off. Players who once left Diablo 4 in its earliest stages have now returned to it, making it more successful than ever. Unfortunately, this means that while Path of Exile 2 might have had a better chance at standing up to Diablo 4 during its weaker moments, it now faces a much more formidable foe. To make matters worse, Diablo 4 still has a major content drop ahead of it that could all but push Path of Exile 2 clean off the stage.

Diablo 4's Vessel of Hatred Expansion Also Launches in Late 2024

Path of Exile 2 is currently slated for a "late 2024" early access release, but Diablo 4's upcoming Vessel of Hatred expansion is also launching in late 2024—specifically, it launches on October 8. While both of these releases could be in entirely different months, it still doesn't bode well for Path of Exile 2. Diablo 4's Vessel of Hatred expansion is a highly anticipated addition to the base game, as it will introduce a new region and a new class, along with several class changes. As such, Path of Exile 2's late 2024 release window may put it at risk of being overshadowed by one of the best top-down ARPGs available.

It's likely too late for Path of Exile 2 to update its release window so that it avoids competing with Diablo 4's Vessel of Hatred launch. In spite of that, Path of Exile 2 could still shine regardless, especially depending on how many former Diablo 4 players who left the game some time ago have no intentions of returning to it anytime soon.