Path of Exile II Hype Crumbles: "The Start of the Hunt" Patch Triggers Player Backlash
A single mistake, one unpopular patch, and it can send even the most beloved titles crashing. Path of Exile II, which had previously enjoyed player hype, is finding out the hard way. The new content patch, "The start of the hunt," has, through player reaction, turned much-hyped action-RPG into something of an abomination.
From Expectation to Exasperation: Ratings Tank
Just days after "The beginning of the hunt" update was released, Path of Exile II's Steam score has fallen sharply. It is now firmly in "mixed" territory. Gameplay is being blitzed with hate reviews. The list continues to swell with technical atrocities, balance shifts that never quite sit well, increased difficulty levels to infuriating levels, and "Kopeyshchitsa" skills which are just not clicking. Instead of smooth, faster gaming that enthusiasts anticipated, in many eyes, the game's become a slog.
Player Reviews Paint a Grim Picture
The player comments tell it all about how the update has not succeeded. Frustration is evident in comments like:
"A horrible update, the game crashes repeatedly when traveling between zones. Bosses and trials? Forget it, crashes everywhere. Why did I even purchase this game?"
"Currently, this is a 10/10 server shut down simulator, the best in its class."
"Initially, it was like one of the greatest ARPGs to have ever been made. But patch 0.2 takes a giant step back. There's no sense of progression anymore, and the game isn't fun to play. Playing through the acts these days feels like a chore. In this state, it's one of the worst gaming experiences I've had."
"Servers crashing, currency values crashing, shattered economy, infinite deaths in the acts, no damage out, terrible loot. Wait for the new league in Path of Exile 1, if that is not getting ruined as well."
"Best Advertisement for Competitors"? Community and Streamer Reactions
The consensus among the community is grim. Some describe the update as "the best advertisement for other ARPGs." Streamers concur. Ventrua, for example, reportedly deleted his level 29 character. He was sick of the non-stop grind on excessively tanky monsters.
Developers Respond with Hotfix, But Is It Enough?
Grinding Gear Games, the developers, have acknowledged the outcry. They responded with hotfix 0.2.0b. The patch was designed to nerf monster power and rebalance abilities. This aims to make the game more open. Players have noticed the alterations. A few are cautiously optimistic. However, most consider this hotfix a band-aid. The developers need to take an honest look at their direction for the project.
Will Grinding Gear Games succeed in turning things around and winning back their fan base? The next few weeks will tell us about Path of Exile II.
