Path Of Exile Vs Diablo 4: Which Game Is Better?

Path of Exile, launched in 2013, and Diablo 4, released a decade later, stand as titans in the action RPG genre. Comparing Diablo 4 with its significantly older counterpart, Path of Exile, is not only fair but also highlights the enduring appeal and continual evolution of the latter.

As we anticipate the arrival of Path of Exile 2, this article revisits the enduring elements that have kept the original game relevant and engaging over the years. Meanwhile, Diablo 4 has captured the gaming community’s attention with its impressive sales and popularity, offering a fun, accessible experience that facilitates global multiplayer collaboration.

#8: Graphics - Diablo 4

Diablo 4 emerges as the clear frontrunner in the graphics department, given its modern design that showcases stunning visuals and intricate details. The game embraces a gothic aesthetic filled with dark, hellish environments that may not appeal to everyone. If you prefer less grim scenery, Path of Exile’s varied landscapes might be more to your liking.

Despite its darker tones, Diablo 4’s visual execution is nothing short of spectacular. You’ll find beautifully rendered muddy landscapes that glisten with reflected light, richly detailed interiors, and meticulously crafted textures. Moreover, the game maintains a smooth performance across both consoles and PC, handling intense multiplayer action without any noticeable lag.

#7: Classes - Path of Exile

Path of Exile boasts a more expansive class system than Diablo 4, featuring seven initial classes—Shadow, Templar, Scion, Ranger, Duelist, Marauder, and Witch—with an additional class, Scion, unlocking later. While Diablo 4 offers five classes—Rogue, Necromancer, Barbarian, Sorcerer, and Druid—with plans to expand, Path of Exile currently holds an advantage in terms of variety.

A distinctive feature of Path of Exile is its flexible skill tree, which opens up a plethora of customization options for each class. This system allows players to tailor their characters in unique ways, such as equipping a traditionally magic-focused Witch with melee capabilities. Though not always the most effective strategy, the freedom to experiment with different builds adds a layer of depth to character development in Path of Exile.

#6: Character Customization - Diablo 4

Diablo 4 clearly excels in character customization compared to Path of Exile, which offers no traditional character creator. In Diablo 4, the customization process is robust, providing players with various options to personalize their character’s appearance.

Players can choose from multiple facial features and hairstyles to craft a unique avatar. While it might not reach the depth of customization seen in some role-playing games known for their elaborate character editors, Diablo 4’s system is comprehensive enough to satisfy those looking to add a personal touch to their characters.

The result is visually appealing characters that stand out in the game’s dark and gothic world, though the absence of sliders ensures that all creations remain within a harmoniously designed aesthetic.

#5: Skill Tree Complexity - Path of Exile

Path of Exile’s skill tree is famously expansive, offering a vast array of options that provide immense freedom but can also seem overwhelming at first glance. The tree is comprised solely of passive skills, ranging from stat enhancements to more specific functional upgrades like increased mana, faster stamina recovery, enhanced health, or improved shield regeneration.

In contrast, Diablo 4 features distinct skill trees for each class, which guide players along more defined developmental paths without the possibility of cross-class customizations. This structure simplifies decision-making but limits experimentation.

Path of Exile’s approach allows for more personalized and sometimes unconventional character builds, giving players the ability to tailor their wizard, for example, with robust health passives, creating unique playstyles not confined by class boundaries.

#4: Skill Systems - Path of Exile

Path of Exile introduces a unique twist to character skills through its use of skill gems. These gems are slotted into gear, and their types range from dexterity to sorcery, encompassing both active abilities and passive enhancements. The flexibility extends further with linked gear slots, allowing for the combination of gems to create custom effects, such as pairing an active arrow skill gem with a passive poison gem to make arrows rain poison.

Conversely, Diablo 4 adopts a more streamlined approach to skill progression. As you level up, you earn skill points to unlock new abilities, which can be utilized immediately. Skills can be swapped out for a nominal fee, promoting ease of use and quick adaptability without the need for managing complex combinations, making it accessible but less flexible compared to Path of Exile’s deep customization options.

#3: Narrative Depth - Diablo 4

Diablo 4 excels in delivering its story, utilizing numerous high-quality cutscenes equipped with stellar voice acting and animations that enrich the narrative experience. While the storyline itself may not be revolutionary, the polished presentation significantly enhances player immersion and engagement.

Conversely, Path of Exile presents its narrative in a more subdued manner, with fewer cinematic moments and a storyline that can feel less coherent. The game relies more on environmental storytelling and lore pieces found within the game world, which may not resonate as strongly with players seeking a more direct and engaging narrative. The upcoming Path of Exile 2 promises to address these storytelling aspects, potentially offering a more compelling narrative experience.

#2: Cooperative Play - Diablo 4

Diablo 4 embraces the always-online format, which diverges from traditional Diablo experiences but enhances its multiplayer aspect. This setup facilitates smoother and more integrated cooperative play. Simply encountering another player in the game world can enrich your experience, allowing for spontaneous team-ups and shared XP gains.

Additionally, Diablo 4 introduces couch co-op for console players, enabling friends to seamlessly join in on the action with a controller. This feature is particularly effective during large-scale encounters, such as world boss fights, where the game maintains performance without noticeable lag, providing an engaging multiplayer experience right from your living room.

#1: Cost Effectiveness - Path of Exile

When it comes to affordability, Path of Exile stands out due to its free-to-play model, which is supported by reasonably priced microtransactions. This allows players to access the game without any initial cost, offering optional purchases that enhance customization without impacting gameplay.

In contrast, Diablo 4 requires a substantial initial purchase and also features microtransactions, which, while not necessary for progression, include high-priced cosmetic items. This setup makes Diablo 4 less accessible from a financial standpoint, despite not prominently pushing these extras directly on its main interface.

Conclusion

In comparing Path of Exile with Diablo 4, we find two formidable titans in the ARPG genre, each with its unique strengths and appeals. Path of Exile offers a vast, intricate skill system and a free-to-play model that’s hard to beat for value, making it ideal for players who crave depth and customization. Diablo 4, while newer and with a price tag, impresses with its polished graphics, immersive storytelling, and innovative multiplayer experiences. Ultimately, the better game may depend on what you value more in your gaming experience: the extensive customization and freedom of Path of Exile, or the high production quality and immersive gameplay of Diablo 4. Both games offer rich, engaging experiences that cater to different preferences within the ARPG community.