Path of exile vs Diablo 3

I'm not sure if I should be posting this here or in off topic because it does involve path of exile.

Anyways before I get started I'd like to inform anyone reading that I got diablo3 beta probably about a week ago maybe two and I've been in path of exile beta for like 3-4 months. Also I'm fully aware diablo3 beta is like the first 1/3 of act one.

Well I'm not really use to doing reviews or anything of the sort so my apologies in advance.


Diablo III
For the most part diablo3 sticks to its roots with its fast paced item based action. In fact the pace is so fast that it's quite easy to get so far ahead you have to go back to find items (this was my case on my first play through on the barbarian). However when comparing to the previous games all thought process appears to have been completely taken out of the game. Most skills you pick are the obvious better choice, stats are done for you, and without having to worry about anything other then a level requirement on items you always pick the highest tier one you can (provided the stats are at least comparable with what you're wearing).

But there are some positives, like the crafting system. It's kind of fun once you unlock a few recipes and start breaking down junk items. You'll quickly find your DPS increasing (in my case it went from 12 dps to 70 DPS in a few minutes). However this greatly takes away from the item finding aspect of the game because once you get high tier crafting recipes you'll no longer need to spend as much time looking for good gear.

Bottom line here is if you're from a diablo1/2 background and you've grown tired of it you'll probably only get a few days of fun with diablo3 as its basic concepts are taken from its previous games and then everything really great about it has been stripped away to keep things simple and easy to balance.


Path of exile
This is game I've been lucky enough to get beta pretty early on so I've got to see quite a few changes and how the developer listen to the community.

The game is fairly easily picked up yet there's a lot of planning to do in the game which allows new players with little gaming experience to enjoy the game and entertain long time gamers.

The skill system is pretty unique (I can think of a diablo 2 mod that uses a similar one but not nearly as well done or as well thought out) and allows build commitment without actually forcing you to commit.

The trading, last I knew (I haven't been on in a few weeks), wasn't actually implemented yet however that has not stopped trading from occurring which speaks volumes to the potential to the bartering economy (which is much funner in my opinion then an auction house).

Passive skill tree is certainly one of the most magnificent looking things in the entire game and every level having to make a choice between stats for better gear/skills (and a small buff) or a passive buff is something that gives levels meaning (far more meaning then in diablo3).


Path of exile vs Diablo III
Levels: Path of exile has the advantage here as levels in diablo3 not only feel pretty meaningless when you actually do get a meaningful level and gain a new skill it's a hassle to go back to town just so you can see what the new skill is.
Simplicity: Diablo3 is far more simple then path of exile which is a pro and con all of its own because it's a simple game that literally anyone including your grandma could play. There's not really any challenge or thought process. On the plus side there's probably always going to be someone to play with and it's a game that's easily picked up.
Commitment: Path of exile wins again as there is absolutely no commitment in diablo3. And before anyone comes back with "There's rune words!" No, that's not commitment because that's easily changed out too.
Replay value: This is hard to say as neither one are nearly complete enough to say for sure. However if I had to guess I would say they're about even or give diablo3 a slight advantage as you get the same story 5 SLIGHTLY different ways.
That "Diablo feel": Both games most definitely have a Diablo feel to them but Diablo3 feels too much like the previous Diablo games in some areas and not enough in others while Path of exile feels more like it's just influenced by the previous Diablo games while still maintaining its uniqueness.

In less words I'm going to have to say Diablo3 has more of a Diablo feel but in a been there done that kind of way.

Graphics: Path of exile in my opinion is the clear winner as Diablo3's graphics even on high seem fuzzy and out of focus.
Controls: They're pretty much the same only Diablo3 has a slight aim assist and no way to name lock while Path of exile has name lock and no aim assist (at least not one that I can see).
Player vs Player: Haven't had the chance to PvP on either game so I can't give first hand experience here, but Path of exile are actually trying to include PvP while Diablo3 is just kind of tacking it on and as so many people are so quickly to quote jay wilson anytime PvP might effect PvE the response will always be "Shut up Pvp guy".

Ending
If there's any questions or comparisons you'd like to know please go ahead and ask and I'll try to answer.

TLDR:
Levels: path of exile
Simplicity: diablo3
commitment: Path of exile
Replay value: Tied (but guessing)
Diablo feel: Both but diablo3 in a bad way
Graphics: Path of exile
Controls: Pretty much the same
PvP: PoE seems to be taking it more serious

I'm thinking most fans of this genre will play both and are junkies like myself. ;)

*twitch*

dont you ppl got tired comparing this two games??

"

Astrapoys wrote:

dont you ppl got tired comparing this two games??

Not at all

Whenever things are comparable people are going to compare them

I wasn't aware of any good Path of exile vs Diablo3 reviews/threads so I thought I would try to make one

"

Rippster wrote:

I'm thinking most fans of this genre will play both and are junkies like myself. ;)

*twitch*

I'll probably get the collectors edition of diablo3

"

BurnThrew wrote:

I'll probably get the collectors edition of diablo3

Same here although if CEs get any more expensive than that I'm simply going to throw up a certain finger. Skyrim's CE was pathetic IMHO but D3 looks decent.

I put thousands of hours on D2 over the years so meh, probably worth the extra cash for the in-game itemz. :)

"

BurnThrew wrote:

I'm not sure if I should be posting this here or in off topic because it does involve path of exile.

bla, bla, blah..

Ending
If there's any questions or comparisons you'd like to know please go ahead and ask and I'll try to answer.

TLDR:
Levels: path of exile
Simplicity: diablo3
commitment: Path of exile
Replay value: Tied (but guessing)
Diablo feel: Both but diablo3 in a bad way
Graphics: Path of exile
Controls: Pretty much the same
PvP: PoE seems to be taking it more serious

This has been said 200 times before. Learn to search. Apart from the controls and isometric camera, Diablo 3 has very little to do with it's predecessors. It's more like Dungeon siege than anything else.

diablo 3 got rid of my favorite class, shame ;( i will still end up with both games but path looks better then diablo 3 tbh

"

jawsofhana wrote:

This has been said 200 times before. Learn to search.

The majority of comparisons you'll find on this forum are from people who haven't played one or both games. At least he's offering a first-hand, unbiased view on both; that's fairly uncommon around here.

IMO, a solid "diablo clone" (not going to beat around the bush with that term) requires a very touchy balance between old and new. and to me, diablo 3 doesn't achieve this balance like path of exile seems to do. i don't know if WoW's success has had a negative influence, or if they're just trying too hard, but diablo 3 just doesn't feel like diablo to me.

i had been anxiously awaiting Diablo 3 since 2002, but it didn't take long for much of that hype to dampen and for PoE to take its place.

"

BurnThrew wrote:

However when comparing to the previous games all thought process appears to have been completely taken out of the game.

What are you talking about, m8? Thought process in Diablo? ROFL. I played D2:LoD on BNet for maybe 2 years. There was nothing to think about. Every class had a cookie cutter build, maybe two. And when I say "build" I mean 100% description down to every stat/skill point and every piece of endgame gear you wanted to get.

Leveing was basically rush to Act V, farm min level for NM, rush to Act V, farm min level for Hell, rush to Act V. Then just do Baalruns till you're 99. And everyone had duped gear and duped runes, and nobody had balls to admit it.

Don't get me wrong, D2 was a great game IMO. But it required less brain activity than Counter-Strike. :)

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The real problem with D3 is RMAH. And not only because the release is delayed because of it. Get ready for massive botting (much worse than it ever was in D2 or WoW). And when botters will flood the RM marker with cheap gear, Blizzard will probably nerf drop rates so hard there will be no chance to get any worthwhile loot on your own.