Diablo IV vs Path of Exile 2
One refines the genre's loop with a big budget, the other buries you in skill gems — both demand your life, but different kinds of it.
Updated 11d 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 Aug 7; they move faster than we refresh, so confirm on the store page.
Recent-review figures are Steam's own last-30-days window, read Aug 7.
| Measure | Diablo IV | Path of Exile 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Value Path of Exile 2 wins on value | ||
| Price now | $49.99 Blizzard | $29.99 Steam |
| All-time low | $22.49 | $29.99 |
| Cost / hour | $1.94/hr $49.99 · 26 h main story | $0.79/hr $29.99 · 38 h main story |
| Off its low | +122% low was Aug 2025 | 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% 224k reviews |
| Recent reviews | 68% 927 votes · vs 65% lifetime | 81% 2k votes · vs 75% lifetime · improving |
| Peak players | 42,469 Jul 2026 · ↑ 66% MoM | 125,475 Jul 2026 · ↓ 64% MoM |
| Launch peak | — | 22% of Dec 2024 launch peak · as of Jul 2026 |
| All-time peak | 63,808 May 2026 · now at 67% | 578,562 Dec 2024 |
| Support | ||
| Last patch | — | 5 weeks ago |
| Patch cadence | — | 4+ 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, big-budget campaign with seasonal events that don't reset your build too hard.
- You prefer paying upfront to avoid microtransactions and always-online is fine.
- You enjoy overleveling and skipping tough fights with better gear.
Pick Path of Exile 2 if
- You love theory-crafting complex passive trees and optimizing for endgame maps.
- You are okay with Early Access bugs, frequent balance patches, and full league wipes.
- You want a free-to-play ARPG with depth rivaling premium titles.
Bottom line
If you value accessibility and a finished product, choose Diablo IV. If you crave complexity and don't mind early access jank, Path of Exile 2 is more rewarding.