Path of Exile 2's early access launch has been a resounding success, despite significant server challenges. The game has already broken into Steam's top 20 most played games of all time.
With over 480,000 concurrent players at the time of writing—more than double Path of Exile 1's peak—PoE2 sits at number 19 on Steam's all-time concurrent player chart, surpassing titles like Fallout 4. The sheer volume of players even caused issues for SteamDB's website.
This achievement is particularly impressive given the early access limitations. Players faced lengthy queues upon launch, and access was eventually granted in batches. Furthermore, the current early access version requires a $30 purchase, despite the full game eventually being free-to-play.
The positive reception and high player count are a testament to the game's quality. Reviewers have praised PoE2's blend of classic ARPG elements with Souls-like precision and difficulty.