Path of Exile

Path of Exile

Released Oct 2013

You are an Exile, struggling to survive on the dark continent of Wraeclast, as you fight to earn power that will allow you to exact your revenge against those who wronged you. Path of Exile is an online Action RPG set in a dark fantasy world. The game is completely free and will never be pay-to-win.

89% positive · 250K reviews
Not yet
Released, ongoing live service game
High confidence
Live Service
Not yet
Released, ongoing live service game
High confidence
Live Service

Where to get it

Free on Steam

Evaluation

Path of Exile is a free-to-play live service action RPG that has been in continuous development since its 2013 launch. Grinding Gear Games releases major expansions on a regular cadence — multiple times per year — each introducing a new challenge league, mechanics, skill gems, and endgame systems. The most recent expansion, Path of Exile: Curse of the Allflame (version 3.29), launched on July 24, 2026. It introduced a new seafloor exploration league, a reworked Atlas endgame system, a new Ascendancy class for the Scion (the Luminary), major overhauls to Abyss and Legion mechanics, and numerous gem and balance changes. On July 27, 2026, the developers posted a detailed "What We're Working On" update outlining ongoing balance patches and bug fixes for the expansion — consistent with their standard post-launch support pattern. Prior to this, the Mirage expansion (3.28) launched on March 6, 2026, with developer follow-up patches running through at least March 17, 2026. The Mirage league ended July 20, 2026, transitioning into Curse of the Allflame just days later on July 24, 2026. This seamless transition between leagues exemplifies the game's live service structure. The DLC listings on Steam are all cosmetic supporter packs — six tied to the March 2026 Mirage expansion and six tied to the July 2026 Curse of the Allflame expansion — consistent with the game's model of funding ongoing development through optional cosmetic purchases. This game is designed to receive new content indefinitely through its seasonal league model and is never "complete" in the traditional sense. A new expansion cycle is virtually certain to follow Curse of the Allflame, as has been the case with every prior league going back years.
Evidence
Developer post-launch update outlines ongoing balance changes, new content additions (Sunken Opulence chest), and active bug fixing for Curse of the Allflame — confirming continued live development.
news post · Jul 27, 2026 source development ongoing
high
Path of Exile: Curse of the Allflame (3.29) officially launches July 24, 2026, introducing a new challenge league, endgame system, Ascendancy class, and major mechanic overhauls.
news post · Jul 16, 2026 source content shipped
high

Content

12 of 12 released · no outstanding content

Media

Details

Publisher
Grinding Gear Games
Achievements
127
Platform
Windows, macOS
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player · Multiplayer · Co-op · PvP

About this game

You are an Exile, struggling to survive on the dark continent of Wraeclast, as you fight to earn power that will allow you to exact your revenge against those who wronged you. Created by hardcore gamers, Path of Exile is an online Action RPG set in a dark fantasy world. With a focus on visceral action combat, powerful items and deep character customization, Path of Exile is completely free and will never be pay-to-win.

Key Features

  • Freedom. Power. Revenge.
    Path of Exile is an online Action RPG designed around a strong online item economy and deep character customisation.



    Path of Exile is set in the dark fantasy world of Wraeclast. Scarred by mysterious catastrophes of the past and inhabited by creatures of nightmare, the very environment challenges exiles who dare explore it. You play as the Duelist, Witch, Ranger, Templar, Marauder, Shadow or the Scion class. From forsaken shores through to the city of Oriath, explore Wraeclast and uncover the ancient secrets waiting for you.

  • Unlimited Character Customization
    Create and customise hundreds of unique skill combinations from tradable itemised gems and our gigantic Passive Skill Tree. Combine skill gems, support gems and trigger gems to create your own unique combination of power, defence and destruction.

    All of Path of Exile's character classes share its vast Passive Skill Tree. Starting at one of seven distinct locations dictated by their chosen class, players can focus on the core specialities of their class or travel across the tree to build complex combinations of skills from various disciplines. Scattered across the tree are Keystone passives, Masteries and Jewel Sockets that drastically alter the way a character is played.



  • Armed to Kill
    Path of Exile is completely designed around items. Our flasks are persistent items that have mods. Our endgame areas can be found as Map items that have mods altering their challenges and rewards. We've gone as far as removing gold as a currency and basing our trade economy around orbs that can randomly reroll the properties of other items. We have carefully constructed our item system for veterans of the best Action RPGs.

  • Explore the Atlas of Worlds
    The Atlas of Worlds is a series of more than a hundred high-level maps that truly test the limits of your build. As you explore the Atlas, you will eventually unveil its dark secrets and face the most dangerous bosses that Wraeclast has ever seen.



    In the true Path of Exile way, the Atlas of Worlds has its own Passive Skill Tree. Earn skill points for the Tree by completing maps on the Atlas and create your own unique endgame experience.

  • Deadly Missions
    In your journey through Wraeclast, you will meet fellow Exiles who seek your help. Capture wild beasts for Einhar, delve into the depths of the Azurite Mine with Niko, explore the secrets of the Temple of Atzoatl with Alva or investigate a mysterious Immortal Syndicate with Jun. This optional content in Path of Exile will reward you with valuable currency, powerful tradeable items and new ways of crafting.

  • Customise Your Hideout
    ​In your extensive travels throughout the Acts and the Atlas of Worlds, you will discover secret locations swarmed with dangerous monsters. Defeat them, claim the Hideout for yourself and create your own personalised town. Use your Hideout as a quiet place to trade with other Exiles, craft after battle, or expand it and use it as a personalised Guild Hall with hundreds of decorations.



  • Be Ruthless
    Ruthless is an optional game mode which offers a more challenging way to play Path of Exile. Ruthless players can expect extreme item scarcity, limited crafting and many other changes such as support gems being drop-only. Ruthless is a mode about friction, tension and anticipation. It's much more difficult, but overcoming that difficulty feels highly rewarding. In a world where your items are far below par, every item drop has the potential to be the breakthrough one you need.

  • Fair-To-Play. Never Pay-To-Win.
    We're committed to creating a fair playing field for all players. All Microtransactions in Path of Exile are purely cosmetic and do not affect gameplay.
Last evaluated Aug 27, 2026
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