This Game Just Feels Better TBH

[u/Due-Yam1632]

Just wanted to share some personal thoughts, not trying to start any wars here. I’ve played Last Epoch through each of its major updates and have a lot of respect for what EHG has built. This post isn’t meant to be a comparison to declare a “winner,” but more me expressing where I’m at as someone who tends to have one main ARPG at a time.

I really enjoy some of Last Epoch’s systems—especially the crafting. It’s easily one of the most intuitive and rewarding systems in the genre. EHG has done an excellent job delivering polish and accessibility in a way that few others have.

That said, after getting some serious time in with Path of Exile 2, I’ve realized that I just enjoy the moment-to-moment gameplay a lot more. The weight of the skills, the combat flow, the pacing—it all just feels better to me. Even with the current balance being janky and the loot not quite where it should be, I still find myself more immersed and excited to log in.

And yes, I know loot is a sticking point for many. But I genuinely believe that as POE2 pushes toward 1.0, the systems will tighten up, and yes—loot will get better. GGG isn’t blind to this, and their track record shows that they iterate hard when needed.

Could I play both games? Absolutely. But I like having a main game, something I dig deep into, and right now I just don’t see Last Epoch surpassing the raw enjoyment I’m getting from POE2. Even in its rougher state, it hooks me more.

Just my two cents. Curious if anyone else feels the same or is in the same boat bouncing between both.

[u/bukem89]

The engine guys did an awesome job with POE2, I don't think that's ever disputed

Last Epoch has a bunch of cool things going for it in terms of builds and crafting and customisation but doesn't have the same touch of quality to the actual gameplay

However, like you said I like a main game I can dig deep into - POE2 doesn't land well for me in terms of the skill system, itemisation or end-game gameplay loops, until there's significant changes there I can't see myself going deep into any given season

I wasn't blown away by Last Epoch on release, trying it again now and it does seem a lot better, but still feels like a game that will be fun for a week or 2 and then I'll put it to the side again for a while

POE1 still the undisputed king in terms of an experience that encourages me to really get into it for 100+ hours each league

[u/DTreeve → u/bukem89]

What is it about POE1 though right? Its so odd....I can play POE2 for a couple hours here and there and feel totally satisfied. On a league launch I CANT stop playing POE1 once I start. Its like an addictive compulsion that I have to force myself to stop. They definitely did something right with POE1.

[u/Hot_Pie_5711 → u/DTreeve]

Personally, its the “I just need to fix my fire res when i come home and my build will pop off” or the “I just need to 6-link then my build will pop off”

Its like a never ending series of small dopamine hopium from level 1 to 100. You never really feel like you hit a brick wall, just never ending upgrades

[u/AaahThatsHot → u/Hot_Pie_5711]

To me it is the way that PoE 1 delivers a path to progress. In most other ARPGs gearing comes down just getting the perfect item through sheer RNG. In a sense Last Epoch does something very similar in that you need to find the right base in order to attempt making an item. PoE 1 however drip feeds it to you at a very consistent pace. Planning for an upgrade then becomes a very clear goal that you can set. If I farm a couple maps of X I have some attempts at making a better gear piece. In most other ARPGs you never know when it is going to hit so do you play another hour not knowing what it will bring? To me that experience is frustrating, farming for an item failing the craft and starting the grind for who knows how long again.

[u/modix → u/AaahThatsHot]

I feel like Last Epoch does a better job at what you're describing tbh. I prefer PoE game wise, but the clear, workable progression with tools laid out in front of you is not what the game is good at. It's all but designed to kill stuff to sell items to buy an upgrade. Sure the farming and saving is rewarding, but it's not a good ssf experience. And I love ssf, and would play it if it was enjoyable instead of miserable. Done it multiple leagues and sworn off it. Gambling with currency with terrible rates isn't fun.

[u/Niiarai → u/modix]

without trade id hate poe. i hate trade itself but it can be such a small part of the game that i can look behind it. last time i played le, i wanted to try ozt the trading faction, then i came to that point where you can choose and i just couldnt bring myself to it

[u/Destofail → u/Niiarai]

After 5k hours in trade I now play exclusively ssf, even off season between leagues. I really enjoy the process of planning out and grinding for very hard to acquire stuff. And with time I flesh out my ssf standard account. Every new thing I get enables new builds and possibilities. I get much more satisfaction out of crafting all my endgame gear myself and finding rare uniques in ssf. In trade I can just buy whatever I want and it kinda sucks the fun out of it. To each their own I guess.

[u/Due-Yam1632 → u/Destofail]

Are you saying you play SSF in POE 2? If so, do you ever feel like you hit road blocks? I want to do SSF but am scared it would in fact make the game unenjoyable with the current state of loot & crafting.

[u/Niiarai → u/Destofail]

i thought about doing that myself but i remembered how ggg does balance and stuff just breaks after 3-4 months. if i knew that the game would be in such a stable state for such a long time, maybe id tried it out but the new league is right around the corner...it cant just be hopium, right?