Path of Exile Preview

[clowninmypants]

Just downloaded this last night-haven't had a chance to play it yet, but looks very similar to D2. Anyone saying the skill tree isn't phenomenal needs to check out the Poe build of the week on YouTube. There's been like 15 which are all very unique and and successful. Seems like it has a ton of depth.

[Dethklok]

same here. I think that has me sold. looks pretty unique.

In terms of uniqueness, it's actually a rip-off of the leveling system from Final Fantasy X. However, having played that game, I really enjoyed how that system let you customize your characters, while giving everyone a unique niche early in the game while letting you decide what you wanted later; if you're going to plagiarize a skill system, FFX's is one of the best choices from a player's perspective. One warning: in FFX's ultra-lategame you could easily make your whole party essentially clones of each other, with individual class differences largely eliminated, so if they allow too many skill points in PoE and/or they make certain passives too good, you could end up with builds that hit all the key parts of the skill-map just to snag the good stuff and really blur class identity.

edit: And the skill gems are a rip-off of a (rather good) system from Final Fantasy 7. Heavy Square influence over at the PoE offices.

[Helpoing]

In terms of uniqueness, it's actually a rip-off of the leveling system from Final Fantasy X. However, having played that game, I really enjoyed how that system let you customize your characters, while giving everyone a unique niche early in the game while letting you decide what you wanted later; if you're going to plagiarize a skill system, FFX's is one of the best choices from a player's perspective. One warning: in FFX's ultra-lategame you could easily make your whole party essentially clones of each other, with individual class differences largely eliminated, so if they allow too many skill points in PoE and/or they make certain passives too good, you could end up with builds that hit all the key parts of the skill-map just to snag the good stuff and really blur class identity.

edit: And the skill gems are a rip-off of a (rather good) system from Final Fantasy 7. Heavy Square influence over at the PoE offices.

Yeah, devs have mentioned multiple times in interviews and on the forums that D2 & FF series were their main influence, because they themselves as gamers loved those.

[skullvomit]

Here we go again. During my PoE travel I’ve always played Templar, same now with open beta. I quit closed beta some time last November because of some issues. Now these have been improved.

Combat is more responsive (can still be tweaked up) and has the punch and satisfaction to slaughter the mobs. Sounds have improved greatly, combat fx and game music. And graphics are more detailed now. I can’t wait to lvl up to access support gems and combos they provide, passive tree I’ve already mapped out.