As we are the best location online to poe orbs buy, we also like to keep a close eye on what is happening in the world of Path of Exile. Path of Exile is fantastic. EVERY steam owner should at one point or another try this game. However, it might take a bit to get to actually liking the game because it takes around 7 hours to get there (for me at least).
This game is basically the paladins to diablo. Personally I think these games are about equal with diablo scoring a bit higher in my book because of just nostalgia and a couple of minor points.
Art Style
In act one im sorry but this game just looked like garbage. I personally couldnt stand looking at my character going through uninspired, nasty, depressing backgrounds. Thankfully it progressively looks better throughout play and just continues to get better with act 3 being the nicest looking act thusfar. Diablo I think should be a keymark for this. Just compare any gameplay from diablo with that of path of exile. Diablos backgrounds always seem to be nice and polished and the character animations along side particle adn spell effects just make the game look stunning and a treat to play. PoE is very boring and quite honestly depressing to look at.
Progression
Ok this is PURELY opinion based but I will try to be as objective as possible. Diablo takes an approach that is very standard in the rpg industry and that is of obtaining skills through level ups and you upgrade them from there. In this system there are very tight rules that players can learn and abuse to create the most effective builds. In PoE it takes an approach that is being rappidly popularized with games such as albion online. That being skills are merely "items" that you equip. This system allows for MUCH more creativity BUT can make the build scene very messy and can lead to pure confussion with new players. In MY personal opinion I think that the traditional way is better but that is only my opinion.
However
PoE wins in the costumazation department PURELY because of the passive skill tree. Holy crap. This skill tree. No barriers locked behind class walls. All classes can have any passive. That is SO. REFRESHING. Rarely ever do I see games do this and I still have no Idea why.
Gameplay
This is an Action RPG. Meaning prepare yourself for anime levels of carnage along side absolute eye candy spells and combat. Not really much to say other then that its very fast paced.
Overall This is a must play. I intend to progress farther and play for engame content.