Path of Exile 2 will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S at the same time as PC, with features like couch co-op and full cross-play and cross-progression across platforms, developer Grinding Gear Games has announced.
In a new deep-dive trailer shared exclusively with GameSpot, a shorter version of which appeared as part of Sony’s most recent State of Play presentation, Grinding Gear Games revealed all the changes and features players can expect for the PS5 and Xbox version of its ambitious ARPG sequel in order to make it every bit as enjoyable as its PC counterpart.
Those features, most notably, include couch co-op. The entire game is playable with a partner, with each player’s HUD and inventory represented on screen at once. Couch co-op partners will either be able to log in with their own account to gain access to all of their existing characters or log in as a guest.
“When we were thinking about what would be a great reason to play Path of Exile on a couch, one of the things we knew a lot of people would enjoy was playing with their friends in co-op,” game director Jonathan Rogers said. “This is actually a feature a lot of games just don’t bother with anymore, but it’s something that I really love personally.”
Grinding Gear Games reworked Path of Exile 2’s menu and inventory screens into full-screen versions better suited for playing on a big screen when playing solo, and players will be able to fully remap all of their skills to any of the game’s 24 keybinds. Console players will also have easy access to learning more about the game’s complex stats and mechanics, with a built-in help system that explains the game’s various systems with the press of a button.
Path of Exile 2 will be free-to-play and is slated to receive a closed beta on PC and consoles later this year, with a planned early access launch before year’s end. Grinding Gear Games is aiming for Path of Exile 2 to be more approachable than the original Path of Exile, which will feature a brand new six-act campaign, skill gem system, 12 character classes, and a new “dual specialise” feature for its infamous Passive Skill Tree. Meanwhile, Grinding Gear Games announced Path of Exile 2 won’t replace the original game, promising to offer new expansions in both games going forward.
