As a Diablo 4 player, you're probably familiar with the similar game, Path of Exile 2. Especially after playing Lord of Hatred Expansion for a while, you'll likely be curious about the upcoming Return of the Ancients in PoE 2.
Due to their similar genres, players of these two games frequently discuss their differences and, of course, debate which is better. Among the most discussed topics is the endgame experience in both games.
Let me now provide a detailed overview of player opinions on the endgame experience of these two games.
Endgame Barrier
Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred
Let's look at Diablo 4 first. In this game, players can choose to skip the story and directly enter the endgame gameplay after creating a new character.
Specifically, after skipping the story, you can find the command table next to NPC Skovos to activate War Plans system. This system acts like a task list, linking a series of endgame activities into a quest chain.
You simply need to complete the tasks in order; the system can even teleport you directly to the next quest location. The entire process requires almost no thought.
PoE 2: Return of the Ancients
Now let's look at PoE 2. In this game, to access the endgame content, you must first complete the entire story. Because the game has many chapters, even a very experienced player might spend over 40 hours completing the entire story, and for beginners, it will take even longer.
Moreover, the real challenge begins after you finally complete the game. You will enter a place called Atlas, which is the hub of Endgame gameplay in PoE 2.
When you first open Atlas, your initial reaction is likely to be, "What is all this?" - because Atlas is an infinitely expanding large map containing several smaller maps, each with a different layout, monsters, bosses, treasure chests, and more. Some maps even include additional special events… This in itself is a very complex gameplay mechanic.
In Patch 0.5.0, this gameplay was further expanded, and instead of a tutorial, only a guiding storyline was added. This made PoE 2 endgame gameplay extremely difficult to master.
Therefore, many players find Diablo 4's endgame gameplay easier to learn.
Endgame Gameplay
Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred
Let's look at Diablo 4 first. In Lord of Hatred, the endgame gameplay is more like a wallpaper-worthy "railway." Players will complete War Plans sequentially: first, farm Helltide, then Nightmare Dungeons, then The Pit, and finally Lair Bosses.
To tackle increasingly difficult dungeons and participate in more challenging gameplay, players need to collect and craft Uniques to complete their builds.
While some players feel that Diablo 4's endgame lacks a clear "end," with all gameplay seemingly an endless loop where the only goal is to challenge increasingly difficult dungeons and bosses, some players stop playing after experiencing most of the endgame's mechanics.
PoE 2 Return of the Ancients
In contrast, PoE2's endgame is a massive sandbox with a very high degree of freedom. Various gameplay mechanics will be randomly generated on your Atlas, including but not limited to Ritual Altar, Breach, Deliriumr, and Expedition, each offering different challenges and rewards.
Furthermore, PoE2's Atlas has a clear ultimate goal: defeating Pinnacle Boss hidden deep within
To achieve this, you need to collect a specified number of Citadels within Atlas and defeat certain bosses to qualify for Pinnacle Boss challenge. This process provides players with a strong sense of accomplishment.
In addition, Patch 0.5.0 further expanded the gameplay and mechanics of Atlas, allowing players to craft their own unique endgame gear, further increasing the game's freedom.
Punishment and Feedback
Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred
Let's start with Diablo 4. In the game, you will almost never suffer any negative penalties.
Your death cost is minimal, requiring only a small amount of gold to repair equipment; you don't need to worry about junk equipment, as it can be easily dismantled into materials; and you can save and switch your build completely free.
In terms of equipment acquisition, Diablo 4 adopted a Target Farm design: you know which boss drops which unique item, and you also know which boss drops which items. This design is highly transparent and efficient.
For many busy players, this efficient and clear endgame gameplay is exactly what they want - after all, most players have very limited time to spend playing games each day.
PoE 2: Return of the Ancients
In this respect, PoE 2 is much stricter. First, you only have one chance per map node. If you die on a map, not only does the map become invalid, but all content attached to the map (bosses, gameplay mechanics, etc.) is also lost.
Second, there is an experience penalty of death; you will lose a portion of your experience points. For high-level players, a single death can mean several hours of effort going to waste
This penalty mechanism and low feedback create significant pressure for players, forcing them to spend more time figuring out how to plan their endgame career, which is a considerable burden for most players with limited playtime.
This concludes my discussion among Diablo 4 and PoE 2 players regarding the endgame gameplay of the two games. It seems that if you're seeking a more free and complex gaming experience, PoE 2 is more suitable, while Diablo 4 is better for those seeking a clearer and more straightforward experience.
Overall, however, I believe Diablo 4's endgame design is more suitable for the average player, since only a small minority of players have ample time to dedicate to the game and delve into complex gameplay mechanics.













