On April 4, 2025, the highly anticipated Patch 0.2.0 for Path of Exile 2 was released, but player reactions have quickly turned sour. Across social media platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and Twitch, gamers are expressing their discontent, describing the leveling process as an arduous trek compared to the previous experience only a few days prior. Notably, Twitch streamer Basegg voiced his frustration emphatically, labeling it as “the worst experience ever in an ARPG.”
“This is genuinely the worst leveling experience throughout any ARPG I have ever had. This is f**king insane, dude.”
Basegg’s sentiments are echoed by many in the gaming community. Players have taken to various forums to articulate their frustrations regarding the developers’ push for “slow, meaningful combat.”In a disheartening turn of events, Reddit user FreshmeatOW shared that they had allocated vacation time to fully engage with the game, only to find the experience so disheartening that they returned to work instead.
Jonathan/Mark, This Aint It. by u/FreshmeatOW in PathOfExile2
Similarly, another Redditor, known as AdEnvironmental5066, a player with over 10,000 hours logged in the previous installment, lamented the game’s sluggish pace and perceived ineffectiveness of skills, branding the update as a letdown.
This should have never been released in this state. by u/AdEnvironmental5066 in PathOfExile2
A recurring theme in these grievances is the imbalance between monster attributes and player nerfs. Many players find it unjust that they have been weakened while enemy strength remains unchanged. This dynamic has sparked concern, especially regarding the recent adjustments to curses within the game.
Community Backlash: Addressing the Frustration with Patch 0.2.0
Having actively participated in the Path of Exile 2 community since the rollout of Patch 0.2.0, I resonate with the widespread discontent. The drastic increase in monster health and the lack of impactful skills have transformed the gameplay experience negatively. Earlier today, a hotfix addressed some issues with lower-level enemy health, yet this effort seems insufficient for a substantial gameplay improvement.
What was once an exhilarating combat system has now transitioned into a tedious chore. While I appreciate the concept of “meaningful combat,” it becomes problematic when the pacing feels laborious and unenjoyable. Numerous players have voiced their frustrations regarding increased skill cooldowns, nerfs, and the overall sluggishness introduced in the latest update.
The upcoming response from Grinding Gear Games will be crucial, as player discontent is palpable. After earning a significant amount of goodwill from the community with the original Path of Exile, the recent discontent surrounding Patch 0.2.0 for Path of Exile 2 is concerning for both developers and dedicated players alike.
- Slow leveling experience compared to previous patch
- Imbalance between player nerfs and enemy strength
- Increased monster health detracting from enjoyment
For further details, consult the original source of this discussion here.