Path of Exile 2 SHOCK! PS5/Xbox Performance DOUBLES?! You Won't Believe It!

Good news for console gamers – Path of Exile 2 is about to get a serious shot in the arm. Grinding Gear Games (GGG) just announced a massive performance upgrade slated to hit all platforms on December 12th, but PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S owners are in for the biggest treat. We're talking potentially double the performance in many scenarios, according to the devs. And let me tell you, as someone who's spent a considerable amount of time grinding through Wraeclast, a smoother experience on consoles is a very welcome change.

Path of Exile 2 SHOCK! PS5/Xbox Performance DOUBLE...

The performance boost stems from some clever code tweaks that allow the game to better utilize the multiple CPU cores available in modern hardware. During a recent press briefing, a GGG representative hinted that their initial estimates might even be underselling the improvements. "I would say, if anything, it's understated. I was willing to commit to 25 percent because I know that we're definitely hitting that, but honestly, in a lot of situations, it's straight up double," they stated. That's a pretty bold claim, but if it holds true, we're looking at a significantly more fluid and responsive gameplay experience. Naturally, Steam Deck users should also see some love here.

This quarterly update isn't just about performance, though. December 12th will also mark the arrival of a brand new Druid class, bringing shapeshifting and nature-based abilities to the forefront. Alongside the new class, we're also getting a new league. This league sounds particularly interesting, featuring an underground temple inspired by the indie hit Loop Hero. I'm personally a huge fan of Loop Hero, so I'm excited to see how GGG incorporates those roguelike elements into the Path of Exile 2 formula.

But wait, there's more! Remember the Delirium fog that made some maps almost unplayable? GGG is finally addressing that too. The developers have heard the community's complaints loud and clear and are dialing back the intensity of the fog. “Part of the reason why it's an issue is because the game currently has Instilling, and the way that Instilling rewards you effectively meant that it was completely mandatory to use… So the first thing to do is to straight up remove the requirement to use it,” a developer explained.

They're not removing Delirium entirely, of course. That would kind of defeat the purpose of the Delirium league! Instead, they're making it less…oppressive. “Really, what we need to do is make the fog be a nice experience...where we changed it very significantly. It's not nearly the same as it was before. It's much more fine." It's a two-pronged approach: making Delirium less mandatory and making the fog itself less annoying. Sounds like a win-win for players who were starting to feel like they were constantly battling through a hazy nightmare. So, mark your calendars, folks. December 12th looks like it's shaping up to be a pretty significant day for Path of Exile 2.