I’d be interesting to see the online numbers for PoE 2 during the league launch if nothing changes. A lot of new "soulslike fans" will likely run off, and ARPG enthusiasts will remain. And I seriously doubt that most people will be eager to suffer through 30-40 hours of the campaign every season. If people really wanted that kind of gameplay, then there would probably be more than just a couple of players in Ruthless mode.

Pros

1. Great graphics
But the color grading needs some work. In many locations, mobs blend in too much with the landscape.

2. Sound

3. Novelty

4. WASD

Cons

1. Incredibly oppressive atmosphere everywhere
Rolling, low movement speed, huge acts in the campaign, lack of loot—this isn’t difficulty, it’s just oppressive. When it’s new, it’s fine, but the longer it goes on, the more people will start showing fatigue through low online numbers.

2. Character customization is ruined
It’s now an ARPG with many limitations on skills based on class and weapon, very slow character progression, and a much weaker skill tree. Why play PoE2 if even in Last Epoch and Torchlight Infinite the customization is more interesting?

3. Low replayability
I said it earlier, most people won't want to do this campaign for the second time.

4. Sanctum for Ascendancy
One of the most poorly thought-out decisions. No matter how much people disliked the Labyrinth from the first game, it was unique, and it didn’t have that many downsides. The downsides of the Sanctum were known years ago—many didn’t enjoy the league, and ranged characters breeze through it far more easily than melee ones.

What I’d like to see

1. Easy mode
PoE1 has the Ruthless mode for those who love BDSM. I’d like to see a mode for normal people who just want to enjoy playing new characters in PoE2.

2. Trimming down the campaign

3. Removing some restrictions on character customization
For example, remove skill limitations based on the weapon used.

4. Active updates for PoE1 in the future
It’s already been neglected for a long time. It won’t be long before PoE2 turns out to be a long-term project failure, so I would advise developers to start moving over some of the good elements from the new game into PoE1 right after release.

In its current state, I only recommend the game to those who are interested in playing through the campaign once and dropping it. For those who like to play nearly every league, I wouldn’t recommend it. You’re better off enjoying other ARPGs

I’d be interesting to see the online numbers for PoE 2 during the league launch if nothing changes. A lot of new "soulslike fans" will likely run off, and ARPG enthusiasts will remain. And I seriously doubt that most people will be eager to suffer through 30-40 hours of the campaign every season. If people really wanted that kind of gameplay, then there would probably be more than just a couple of players in Ruthless mode. [b]Pros[/b] 1. [b]Great graphics[/b] But the color grading needs some work. In many locations, mobs blend in too much with the landscape. 2. [b]Sound[/b] 3. [b]Novelty[/b] 4. [b]WASD[/b] [b]Cons[/b] 1. [b]Incredibly oppressive atmosphere everywhere[/b] Rolling, low movement speed, huge acts in the campaign, lack of loot—this isn’t difficulty, it’s just oppressive. When it’s new, it’s fine, but the longer it goes on, the more people will start showing fatigue through low online numbers. 2. [b]Character customization is ruined[/b] It’s now an ARPG with many limitations on skills based on class and weapon, very slow character progression, and a much weaker skill tree. Why play PoE2 if even in Last Epoch and Torchlight Infinite the customization is more interesting? 3. [b]Low replayability[/b] I said it earlier, most people won't want to do this campaign for the second time. 4. [b]Sanctum for Ascendancy[/b] One of the most poorly thought-out decisions. No matter how much people disliked the Labyrinth from the first game, it was unique, and it didn’t have that many downsides. The downsides of the Sanctum were known years ago—many didn’t enjoy the league, and ranged characters breeze through it far more easily than melee ones. [b]What I’d like to see[/b] 1. [b]Easy mode[/b] PoE1 has the Ruthless mode for those who love BDSM. I’d like to see a mode for normal people who just want to enjoy playing new characters in PoE2. 2. [b]Trimming down the campaign[/b] 3. [b]Removing some restrictions on character customization[/b] For example, remove skill limitations based on the weapon used. 4. [b]Active updates for PoE1 in the future[/b] It’s already been neglected for a long time. It won’t be long before PoE2 turns out to be a long-term project failure, so I would advise developers to start moving over some of the good elements from the new game into PoE1 right after release. In its current state, I only recommend the game to those who are interested in playing through the campaign once and dropping it. For those who like to play nearly every league, I wouldn’t recommend it. You’re better off enjoying other ARPGs