Path of Exile 2 is a recreation jammed to the gills with an almost paralysing quantity of selections to make, however some of the significant was the third one I made, proper after I created and named my character. As you begin the sport’s tutorial it asks you to decide on your motion sort, a selection between the usual ARPG-style mouse management and glossy new WASD controls.
I’ve tried each, however after deciding on WASD, I am right here to implore you to strive it for your self. It is considered one of Path of Exile 2’s finest improvements, and driving my heroes round utilizing the keyboard makes it really feel like extra of a spectacle, particularly whenever you issue within the dodge roll on spacebar. I really feel extra related to my character than I ever have in an ARPG earlier than.
Whereas I’ve lengthy been a fan of those kinds of video games, ever since I used to observe my finest good friend’s older brother enjoying Diablo for the primary time, it is usually felt just a little sterile. At the same time as particle results spray throughout the display screen and each monster for miles will get melted down into loot and expertise factors, the expertise is pure energy fantasy, however I by no means discovered it significantly thrilling.
Tooling round with WASD is so transformative that I am quietly livid on the time I’ve spent a lot time enjoying video games like Diablo and Titan Quest steering my characters round by holding the left mouse button down like a chump.
It is not the one recreation on the market with direct management: console variations of a number of ARPGs allow you to steer characters round with analogue sticks and Diablo 4 has added WASD management as a post-launch patch. However Path of Exile 2’s WASD management scheme feels baked in to the sport, an ideal match for the extra delicate fights. It is simpler to die in Path of Exile 2 than most ARPGs and I respect with the ability to transfer in a single course whereas spamming expertise in one other, letting me cowl my very own retreat with large fireballs or even perhaps only a frag grenade.
The twitchy motion WASD provides you entry to additionally seems like the one option to dodge the cost assaults from a number of the extra terrifying bosses like Balbala the Traitor or Depend Geonor, each of which hurl projectile assaults round like they are going out of style. Having just a little bit of additional management to dodge these skillshots feels invaluable.
Later, you are thrown into your first ascendancy trial, which feels practically unattainable to get by means of with out cautious motion and even handed use of your dodge roll. Right here, you are judged not on how a lot life you’ve however in your honor, so each factor that hits you seems like a extra everlasting mark. Regardless of the monsters being extra deadly than different video games, there’s nonetheless the identical quantity of them, so count on to be mashing your spacebar an entire lot to dodge.
I have been levelling two characters in tandem, and each get various things out of the motion. My Mercenary fires big penetrating crossbow bolts that may punch by means of a series of enemies however requires cautious manipulation to get my opponents in line. My Sorcerer/Stormweaver fires ice injury off in each course however is so squishy she’s stored alive by simply her power protect and sensible motion, so I play her as way more avoidant.
Each are characters which can be way more enjoyable for this direct management, and since I am shifting with WASD, my mouse is free to drop spells in each course. Truthfully, it is sort of making me want for a MOBA with this kind of motion, though I recognise that is simply because I am one of many few folks nonetheless torturing myself enjoying a MOBA in 2024.
In the end this exact management makes me really feel extra related to my squishy Stormweaver, and that is most likely why I am unable to cease enjoying PoE2 proper now, even when different video games are begging for my time ultimately of 12 months rush. In the event you’re enjoying PoE2, and you need to be, then it’s best to enjoying it together with your keyboard, it elevates it far past many of the different entries within the style.
