This year has been a bit of a slow one for Diablo 4. The anticipated second DLC expansion has been delayed until 2026, and while the game has still received fresh seasons and updates, Diablo 4 can hopefully hit a new high point in the coming months. Until then, this installment in the long-running series may have some major competition waiting right around the corner.
Path of Exile 2 launched in December 2024, and even though the action RPG is still in early access, it has proven to be a solid competitor against Diablo 4. The two may be in the same genre, but Diablo 4's more accessible approach is much different than Path of Exile 2's preference for a more intricate experience. Diablo 4 has the benefit of being a complete game instead of slowly growing through early access, but Path of Exile 2's next big update may prove to be the former's biggest competition yet, especially if a long-awaited class is finally added to the latter.
Diablo 4 Season 9 is Better with Friends, Even if You Have to Build Them Yourself
Diablo 4 can be experienced solo or with friends, but Season 9 offers players a great opportunity to create their own allies.
Diablo 4 May Have to Go Head-to-Head With Path of Exile 2's Eventual Druid Class
When Does Path of Exile 2's Next League Launch?
- August 29.
With a fresh League set to drop next month, many players are eager to find out what content the update has in store. As of now, developer Grinding Gear Games has yet to confirm any further details beyond a release date, but many players have been hoping for a Druid class to finally enter the game. There's no way to know for sure until the update launches, but if a Druid is added to Path of Exile 2 in 0.3.0, then Diablo 4 will need to be ready, because that means the competition will have reached a new level.
Path of Exile 2 is hosting an exclusive Boss Rush event at Gamescom from August 20-24.
Diablo 4's Druid Class Will Be Put to the Test
The Druid class has been a beloved choice in the Diablo franchise, and for good reason. Druids are incredibly versatile, so for players who want a bit more flexibility while still being quite powerful, Druids are a great option. If one puts together the right build, playing as a Druid can be one of the best class choices in Diablo 4, but depending on how Path of Exile 2 approaches the same class, Druid fans may be swayed to check out the competition.
Blizzard has yet to announce a release date for Diablo 4's next DLC.
Path of Exile 2's Druid Class Waits in the Shadows
Last year at Gamescom, Grinding Gear Games showcased 13 minutes of Druid gameplay footage, but since then, the class is nowhere to be seen. Based on the gameplay demo, it looked like much of the work was completed on the class, so that makes its possible appearance in update 0.3.0 feel even more likely. Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2 both boast their own unique identities, but because of the shared genre, the two continue to be compared, and each having a Druid class will only increase the comparisons.
Right now, all Path of Exile 2 and Diablo 4 players can do is wait to see what's in store for the former when August 29 gets here. There are already predictions that 0.3.0 is going to be an important update, but only time will tell. With Path of Exile 2 returning to Gamescom this year merely days before the update launches, there will hopefully be a sneak peek at what to expect.
On the bright side, there isn't much longer to wait to find out exactly what update 0.3.0 is all about. Even with a Druid class, Path of Exile 2 continues to be a compelling competitor to Diablo 4, and it will be interesting to see how far the competition goes.
Diablo 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
WHERE TO PLAY
Diablo® IV is the ultimate action-RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot.
Embark on the epic campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through a gripping story in a beautifully dark world, or explore an expansive end game: battle iconic bosses for powerful loot, fight back the encroaching onslaught of Hell in Helltides, master the Forge to create your ultimate weapons and progress powerful characters, with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms.
Discover the critically acclaimed franchise that defined the Action RPG genre. As the battle between the High Heavens and Burning Hells rages on, hatred devours Sanctuary as evil spreads and a new wave of cultists and worshippers arise to embrace Lilith’s coming. Only a brave few dare to face this threat and bring light to the all-consuming darkness.
Expansive Open WorldForge your own path through the corrupted lands of Sanctuary, an ever-growing, fully explorable world teeming with challenges, quests, enemies, and loot. Join your fellow adventurers, rescue and retake besieged towns, delve into nightmarish dungeons and uncover lost secrets as you fight back evil. The many zones of Sanctuary are yours to explore, and with rotating areas of extreme peril like World Bosses and Helltide, danger lurks at every turn.
Immersive Character DevelopmentCreate and customize your character to face the encroaching darkness. Choose from one of five classes and build your hero with skills, abilities and cosmetics, creating a champion that is uniquely your own. Grow stronger as you progress through powerful Skill Trees and develop even more unique end game specializations with Paragon Boards.
Legendary Gear, Epic BattlesDiscover and experiment with a vast arsenal of powerful weapons, armor and more to fight back against the demons threatening Sanctuary. Explore unique combinations, create your own upgrades and collect a plethora of powerful tools to battle in immersive, action-packed combat against the deadliest of enemies.
Seasons & EventsThe tales of Sanctuary continue to unfold. Create Seasonal Characters and join in fresh adventures - master new mechanics and take on the latest threats in each new Season. Complete harrowing feats of the Season Journey and earn new Battle Pass rewards. Plus, sharpen your swords and get in the spirit of the seasons when Limited-Time Events sweep through Sanctuary.
End Game UndertakingsThere’s even more Diablo® IV to explore as you reach higher levels and more fearsome World Tiers. Face the greatest challenge yet as you take on the most powerful demons in The Pit, steel yourself against Uber Bosses to reap uber unique rewards, fight back overflowing armies of Hell as Helltides emerge across Sanctuary, battle larger-than-life World Bosses, and master the Forge to create the mightiest weapons fit for a hero.
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash
