After years of carefully curated demos and limited previews, Grinding Gear Games has finally opened the doors for a broader group of creators to explore a near-complete build of Path of Exile 2, centered around its first test league: the Abyssal League. Having invested over 80 hours into its shadowy depths, I can confidently say this is not merely an incremental step forward—it is the most complete and ambitious version yet. The league delivers on the promise of a tactical, rewarding ARPG, setting a new bar for the franchise. For veterans and newcomers alike, the experience feels like the true successor to the ARPG throne, blending risk, skill, and reward in a way that keeps every moment tense and engaging, especially when chasing rare loot and valuable 

Abyssal Rifts and the Depths

The league’s core mechanic will feel familiar to long-time players, but its execution is far more elaborate. Instead of following a simple crack in the ground, players encounter Abyssal Rifts—unstable gateways to a hostile dimension. Upon finding a Rift, you must choose between stabilizing it from the surface, battling waves of horrors for moderate rewards, or diving into the perilous Abyssal Depths for far greater risks and treasures.

These Depths are sprawling, procedurally generated labyrinths cloaked in life-draining darkness. Survival requires staying within the glow of volatile crystals or using special flasks, all while navigating treacherous terrain and facing relentless enemies. The more deliberate combat pace of PoE 2 is at its best here—every dodge roll, weapon swap, and skill cooldown becomes critical when surrounded by monstrous foes.

Monsters with Purpose

The Abyssal League introduces new enemies that showcase the capabilities of PoE 2’s upgraded engine and animations. Each is designed with unique mechanics that demand skill over raw gear power:

• Rift Stalker: A teleporting predator that strikes from unexpected angles, forcing constant repositioning.
• Abyssal Spiner: A stationary turret-like creature that floods the battlefield with projectiles, creating hazardous zones.
• Murkfiend: A brutish monster capable of extinguishing nearby light sources, plunging players into lethal darkness.

These encounters reward pattern recognition and adaptability rather than brute force, aligning perfectly with the game’s design philosophy.

Integration into the Core Game

What sets the Abyssal League apart is how naturally it integrates into the main game. Rifts can appear as early as Act 1 and scale seamlessly into the highest tiers of endgame content. The risk-reward balance ensures that every stage of character progression offers meaningful challenges and upgrades. The design avoids the pitfall of feeling like an optional side activity; instead, it’s woven into the fabric of Wraeclast.

Performance is smooth, visual fidelity is high, and the sound design—featuring unsettling whispers, chittering horrors, and the oppressive hum of darkness—creates a deeply immersive atmosphere. The Abyssal League embodies the core promises of Path of Exile 2: strategic combat, deep customization, and thrilling boss encounters. If this standard holds at launch, the future of the game is exceptionally bright, making it an exciting time for players to prepare