Path of Exile 2’s early access launch has taken the gaming world by storm, achieving the third-largest concurrent player count on Steam in 2024. Only Black Myth: Wukong and Palworld, which boasted 2.4 million and 2.1 million players respectively, and the all-time champion PUBG (3.2 million), have surpassed it. With a peak of 459,000 concurrent players, Path of Exile 2 has edged out Helldivers 2’s previous record of 458,000.
This remarkable feat is even more impressive considering Path of Exile 2 is not yet fully released. The early access version is currently available on Steam for $29.99 and has garnered “Mostly Positive” reviews. Players praise the core gameplay while acknowledging expected early access issues like error screens, performance hiccups, and some design flaws.
Path of Exile 2 is a free-to-play action RPG developed by Grinding Gear Games, offering cooperative gameplay for up to six players. Set in the dark continent of Wraeclast, the game plunges players into a world rich with unique cultures, ancient secrets, and formidable monsters. A sinister, resurgent threat drives inhabitants to madness and corrupts the land.
Path of Exile 2 Gameplay Screenshot
While drawing clear inspiration from the Diablo series, Path of Exile 2 seems to have outperformed its predecessor in terms of concurrent players on Steam. Diablo 4 peaked at 55,000 concurrent players, a number dwarfed by Path of Exile 2’s impressive figure. With the potential for an even higher peak over the weekend and the full release yet to come, the future looks bright for this action RPG.
The game’s success is no surprise to those following the genre’s popularity on Steam. The original Path of Exile was a sleeper hit, steadily growing its player base thanks to Grinding Gear Games’ excellent post-launch support and content updates. The 11-year wait for the sequel undoubtedly fueled anticipation, as did strong pre-order numbers on Steam.
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The remarkable launch of Path of Exile 2 demonstrates the enduring appeal of action RPGs and the power of dedicated community building. With a robust early access launch and a promising future, Path of Exile 2 is poised to become a major force in the genre.
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