Path of Exile
With a free-to-play model, Path of Exile’s economy relies on bartering “currency items” to purchase new gear, upgrade weapons, and modify skills. This currency also doubles as a money sink to keep the game’s system from becoming too inflationary.
Created by hardcore gamers, Path of Exile focuses on visceral action combat and deep character customization. Banished to the dark continent of Wraeclast, players must survive and earn the power to avenge themselves on those who wronged them. Play as one of the Duelist, Witch, Ranger, Templar, Marauder, or Scion classes – or any combination – and explore a dark fantasy world where bloodthirsty monsters lurk, ancient secrets are waiting to be revealed and the fate of all Oriath rests in your hands.
Since its release in October 2013, Path of Exile has continued to expand with each major update. The latest, Sanctum, adds a new challenge league, overhauls core systems, and introduces 19 ascendancy classes.
Ascendency classes give the builder a focal point in an otherwise classless system, while still offering plenty of choice and creativity. For instance, the Duelist gets two primary subclasses and three secondaries, while the Scion can pull from the abilities of all other classes. Meanwhile, the ten-act campaign is a breeze for veterans who can clear it in a day or two, but many players take much longer as they soak in the story and ruins of Wraeclast. Path of Exile also has a robust end-game, with players discovering maps that open the Atlas of Worlds, where they fight across a dreamscape multiverse, netting increasingly powerful items and toughening up enough to murder their way through higher-tier map dungeons.