I've been back in Path of Exile 2 again, and it's that same push-pull feeling: "wow, this rules" followed by "wait, why is this still like that." The combat has weight, the animations sell the hits, and the whole thing feels more deliberate than the first game. Then you open the progression systems and it's the familiar rabbit hole. I'm not complaining, that's the point, but you can feel how unfinished it is once you start planning around drops, crafting, and even basic trade staples like Exalted Orb values shifting hour to hour.
Early Access Whiplash
The campaign chunk we've got is fun, but it also ends right when your character starts to click. You get your links sorted, your damage stops feeling scuffed, and then you hit that "to be continued" vibe. It's a weird place to stop because it makes build testing feel half real, half theorycraft. You still do the grind, though. People can't help themselves. And yeah, the devs have been upfront about the schedule drifting, but being told "we're getting there" doesn't make the wait feel shorter when you're staring at locked systems and missing classes.
New Toys, New Problems
The seasonal drop with the Druid was the kind of update that buys goodwill. Shapeshifting isn't just a skin; it changes the rhythm of fights, and it's honestly refreshing after hours of playing safe, kite-y setups. But every new class also shines a spotlight on balance gaps. Some skills feel like they're tuned for a different game, while others slap so hard you wonder how they made it through. That's early access, sure. Still, you can see the community split into two camps: folks who want everything nerfed fast, and folks who'd rather let the sandbox stay messy until the full endgame is in.
Trading Is Still the Real Endgame
If you're taking PoE seriously, you end up living in the economy. Half the time you're not fighting monsters, you're alt-tabbing, price-checking, comparing rolls, trying to figure out what's actually moving. The rough edges show up here the most. Live searches hit limits, API delays mess with timing, and you miss deals because the listings don't refresh when you need them. It works, but it's not smooth, and it turns "I'll upgrade one slot" into a 45-minute side quest. The forums reflect it too: bug reports, trade complaints, and long posts from people who clearly care way too much, in the best and worst way.
Why I'm Still Logging In
Even with the jagged bits, it's got that dangerous loop where you tell yourself one more run and suddenly it's midnight. It feels like we're all stress-testing the thing together, not just playing it. And when you do want to shortcut the boring parts—like grabbing currency or filling a missing gear slot—some players lean on marketplaces with fast delivery and clear stock listings, which is why you'll see U4GM brought up in chat when people talk about buying currency or items without the usual trade-site headache.
