Diablo IV vs Path of Exile 2
Both punish demons, but one trusts you to grind forever while the other asks for 26 focused hours.
Updated 24d ago
Skip the $49.99 Standard button — the $69.99 Age of Hatred Collection adds both expansions for twenty dollars more. The 2026 repairs are free either way.
Punches above its Early Access tag if you want Diablo combat with PoE1's depth — wait for 1.0 if you hate league build wipes.
By the numbers
Prices checked Sep 9; they move faster than we refresh, so confirm on the store page.
Recent-review figures are Steam's own last-30-days window, read Sep 9.
| Measure | Diablo IV | Path of Exile 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Value Diablo IV wins on value | ||
| Price now | $12.49 −75% · Steam | $29.99 Steam |
| All-time low | $12.49 | $29.99 |
| Cost / hour | $0.48/hr $12.49 · 26 h main story | $0.79/hr $29.99 · 38 h main story |
| Off its low | At its low low was Sep 2026 | At its low vs $29.99 low |
| Main story | 26 h | 38 h |
| Health Path of Exile 2 wins on player health | ||
| Steam reviews | 65% 75k reviews | 75% 226k reviews |
| Recent reviews | 67% 504 votes · vs 65% lifetime | 81% 1k votes · vs 75% lifetime · improving |
| Peak players | 12,872 Aug 2026 · ↓ 70% MoM | 36,995 Aug 2026 · ↓ 71% MoM |
| Launch peak | — | 6% of Dec 2024 launch peak · as of Aug 2026 |
| All-time peak | 63,808 May 2026 · now at 20% | 578,562 Dec 2024 |
| Support | ||
| Last patch | — | 3 weeks ago |
| Patch cadence | — | 1+ in last 90 days, at minimum |
| Steam Deck | Gold | Platinum |
Shared scale — same months across the bottom, same player-count axis up the side, so the two lines are directly comparable. A shorter line means a younger game.
What players say
Patterns from long-haul reviewers, taken from each game's verdict. Not live sentiment — each side is dated below.
Diablo IV
Three years of repairs finally arriving at once. Players who stayed through every season say the endgame is the best it has been.
Paying again. Skills behind an expansion paywall is the complaint that recurs most, followed by an endgame they still call grindy and unbalanced.
from our July 2026 verdict
Path of Exile 2
Combat responsiveness and build variety are the core appeals for long-time players.
The mandatory campaign replay each league is the primary frustration for high-playtime players.
from our May 2026 verdict
Key differences
Which one is for you?
Pick Diablo IV if
- You want a polished 26-hour campaign without seasonal wipe anxiety
- You prefer seasonal goals that wrap up in a weekend
- Playing online and on Battle.net isn't a dealbreaker
Pick Path of Exile 2 if
- You love theory-crafting builds and don't mind meta resets
- You want a 38-hour story that justifies a under-$1-an-hour price
- Dodge-rolling is your favorite combat mechanic in ARPGs
Bottom line
Buy Diablo IV if you want a tight season loop and a shorter story; choose Path of Exile 2 if 38 hours and depth at under a dollar an hour appeal more, even unfinished.