No Regrets playing PoE2, but I think I'm done (Personal Feedback and experience as a New player)

TLDR:Game was great at the beginning, tapers off in the middle, and falls off when endgame begins.

I have levelled all 6 classes at least through the first 3 Acts, and then reached endgame with 3 characters and spent roughly 200hrs during the December holidays. But now its January, and time is tight, and endgame is just a huge time sink with very little reward. I now understand the flex among the PoE veterans when they say they've spent thousands of hours in the game, 2000hrs, 3000hrs 5000hrs? Always found it to be a weird flex, but I think I understand it now.

Combat Gameplay and Mechanics: AAA+

I think hands down, they've done an excellent job in this area of the game. While playing a Warrior (I don't usually play melee), but for the most part, that game 'feel' was there - it does feel like he's pounding and shattering the ground. All the combat animations were absolutely fun, impactful and immersive. I think most players would agree this is the biggest highlight of the game. All 6 classes exemplified their class well, just that warrior did stick out cos I don't usually like playing melee.

Difficulty vs Complexity vs Availability

Coming into the game, there was this perception that the game was very complex or that its very difficult, but I don't think its either. The passive tree, though it looks daunting, its kinda linear and straightforward. As for the difficulty, it is usually overcome with gear - and that's a huge issue. The availability of gear and loot. On my very first playthrough, I was struggling at a level 10 area map, but it was largely because I was using a weapon I got from level 2. The 'Rares' I got along the way were for other classes. And that's what prompted me to roll another character based on the rare gear I got. And it made such a huge difference in the second playthrough.

So I do think the game is artificially more difficult (at least through the campaign) largely because of the lack of Relevant loot.

Campaign story and Voice Actors - Great Job here too

I did enjoy the campaign, for the most part, until the maps became too large. I know most players would just rush through the campaign, but oddly enough, I do think the voice acting and occasional voice lines from the class characters and the NPCs were well done here. The first Act 1 boss will probably go down as the most memorable fights in the game, and not just cos of the mechanics of the fight, but the direction, the dialogue by Geonor and the countess. Sometimes more back and forth between the class characters could have been better as well?

Think most players would agree that the Witch and the Mercenary had the best voice lines, probably would be better to have a bit more from them. But this might not go well with the blasters.


This Endgame is not for me: But ultimately, why do I need to?

So I didn't go too far into the endgame. I was like doing T3 maps. And yes, I know, you're supposed to go into T15 maps. But my main gripe is, how does my build change that I need to go into the endgame. As much as I lauded their combat mechanics, i did find that my overall build does not change all that much from level 30+ to level 60 or 70. Getting items from Maps seems sparse. Like I can spend an hour doing T2 maps and not get anything relevant.

The argument is that you need to have rarity on gear - ok, but how can i get loot with rarity? You need to find it? Or you need to buy it? buy it with what? With currency you find? The rng in the end here is quite bad, that's putting it mildly.

Think a lot has been said about the endgame, so I don't want to delve on this further.

Conclusion: Casual and semi-casual players would probably enjoy the campaign (if they can get relevant loot), but don't expect many to stick around for the endgame. The endgame was clearly designed for those who can invest thousands of hours into the game... but I just can't. And that's basically what I will recommend to my brother when the game officially releases - just play the campaign, but don't bother with the endgame cos you don't have time for that.

Really good write-up, and I think you're spot on with the conclusion.

Using POE1 as an example, the majority of players do not get very far into the end game. Maybe a little further than you did, but not by much. But, when a new league starts a big chunk of those do return to do it again with the new content.

Absolutely nothing wrong with not thinking the endgame is fun for you, but enjoying the campaign portion of it. Of course, be sure to check in during the rest of the beta as I'm sure there will be lots of changes to end game (and, of course, the 3 remaining acts of the campaign).