Players have been speculating about the full release date of Path of Exile 2 since its early access launch on December 6, 2024. The first three acts of the story and hundreds of hours of endgame content are available now, and the community looks forward to the complete version.
The developers plan to fully release Path of Exile 2 in 2025. The launch window points to June 2025, considering the original Path of Exile’s ten-month early access period. The game’s Dawn of the Hunt update (0.2.0) comes on April 4, 2025, and will add the Huntress class along with an overhauled endgame system.
This piece covers everything about Path of Exile 2’s release timeline. You’ll learn what’s available in early access now and what features the full game will bring at launch.
Early Access Recap and What’s Available Now
Path of Exile 2’s early access version launched in December 2024. Players got their first chance to try Grinding Gear Games’ much-predicted sequel. After spending countless hours with the current build, I want to share what content you can play right now.
The early access lets players take a closer look at the campaign’s first three acts that introduce Sanctuary’s brutal world. These original acts pack 20-25 hours of story content, based on your playstyle and action RPG knowledge. The story follows our exile’s experience through dangerous environments with unique enemies and tough boss fights.
The early access has impressive endgame content despite being unfinished. Players can enjoy over 100 hours of post-campaign activities. The game has:
- A strong mapping system like the original game but with major improvements
- Several endgame bosses with unique mechanics and rewards
- Character customization through the improved skill gem system
- Six playable character classes with more on the way
The early access build shows off the redesigned engine that brings better graphics, physics, and combat feel than Path of Exile. The skill system changes give players more meaningful choices. The itemization is now more accessible yet remains deep.
The current available content creates a substantial game experience. Grinding Gear Games keeps developing more content actively. The Dawn of the Hunt update comes in April 2025. This first major content expansion during early access shows the developers’ commitment to regular updates before Path of Exile 2’s full release later in 2025.
Path of Exile 2 Full Release Date: What We Know So Far
Path of Exile 2’s game director Jonathan Rogers shared updates about the release date in recent interviews. Grinding Gear Games had suggested early access would last “at least six months”, which pointed to a June 2025 release. But Rogers has clarified that this timeline wasn’t realistic.
Rogers addressed this in a March 2025 interview: “Initially, before we kind of got to the crunch period, we were sort of saying six months in early access, which in retrospect was not going to happen.” The new estimate stretches to “kind of a year of early access”.
The game has a “65% chance” of launching in 2025, according to Rogers. He mentioned having “a schedule that will get us there,” though meeting it would be “challenging but not impossible”. A March 2026 release seems likely if the 2025 window isn’t met.
The Path of Exile 2 release date faces several challenges:
- Teams split their resources between PoE1 and PoE2
- The campaign’s six acts need completion
- Six character classes await implementation
- Launch issues demand quick fixes
The Dawn of the Hunt update (0.2.0) tested the team’s limits. Rogers called it “incredibly stressful” because of “absolutely having to have the Huntress in there”. This experience made the team rethink their approach to class releases, which might slow down new additions.
The full campaign needs completion before release. Rogers emphasized that “the most important thing for full release is that we have the full campaign”. Act 4 nears completion, while Acts 5 and 6 still need work before Path of Exile 2’s full release.
Quality remains the priority over deadlines. Rogers shared his vision: “I still really want to get the game out and fully released in 2025 so yeah, that’s the target. We’ll see how it goes though”.
What’s Coming in the Full Release
Path of Exile 2’s full version will pack much more content than what early access players enjoy right now. Grinding Gear Games has big plans to complete the game before its full release.
The campaign completion tops the priority list. Players can access Acts 1-3 now, and Act 4 is almost ready. The team needs to finish Acts 5 and 6. Jonathan Rogers stresses that a complete campaign is crucial for the official launch.
Players will get access to all twelve character classes. Six classes are playable in early access, and the Huntress joins through the Dawn of the Hunt update. The team will add the remaining five classes during early access or at launch. These classes will open up new build options and ways to play.
The endgame will grow bigger too. Early access already packs over 100 hours of post-campaign content, but the full release brings:
- A strong mapping system with additional tiers and challenge levels
- New endgame bosses with unique mechanics and reward structures
- Expanded crafting options and endgame progression systems
The team focuses on three main goals: finishing the campaign, adding all classes, and polishing the endgame. Rogers mentions they might roll out the remaining classes in stages because developing everything at once has been tough.
GGG plans to keep its track record of great post-launch support. After Path of Exile 2’s full release, players can expect the same update schedule that made the original game a hit.
The exact release date isn’t set in stone yet, but the content roadmap shows what players can look forward to when the full game launches. The team’s dedication to quality over rushed deadlines means the wait should pay off.
Conclusion
Path of Exile 2 shows an ambitious rise of the franchise. The early access version already gives players a substantial experience. The original six-month early access projection wasn’t realistic. The development team now needs about a year in this phase. A 2025 full release seems probable but isn’t guaranteed. Game director Jonathan Rogers puts the chances at 65% for that timeframe.
The full release will feature a complete campaign with six acts, twelve playable character classes, and much expanded endgame content. Grinding Gear Games shows its steadfast dedication to quality through the upcoming Dawn of the Hunt update. Players can expect regular content additions throughout early access.
The exact release timeline depends on multiple factors. The team must balance resources between both PoE titles while managing the scope of work to be done. All the same, fans should feel confident about the final product’s quality. The team prioritizes a polished experience over meeting random deadlines.
Path of Exile is a 10-year old genre-defining ARPG that grew through thoughtful updates and community feedback. Without doubt, Path of Exile 2 wants to build on this foundation and set new standards. The wait for full release tests our patience. Yet based on the playable content, this sequel will deliver an experience worth every moment we spend waiting.
FAQs
Q1. When is Path of Exile 2 expected to fully release? While the exact release date isn’t confirmed, the full version of Path of Exile 2 is anticipated to launch sometime in 2025. The game director has estimated about a year of early access, giving it a 65% chance of releasing in 2025.
Q2. What content is currently available in Path of Exile 2’s early access? The early access version includes the first three acts of the campaign, six playable character classes, and over 100 hours of endgame content. Players can explore a robust mapping system, face endgame bosses, and enjoy the revamped skill gem system.
Q3. Will Path of Exile 2 introduce new character classes? Yes, Path of Exile 2 will feature new classes. The Dawn of the Hunt update introduced the Huntress class, and the full release is expected to have a total of twelve playable character classes, each with unique abilities and playstyles.
Q4. What major additions can we expect in the full release of Path of Exile 2? The full release will include the complete six-act campaign, all twelve character classes, expanded endgame systems, new bosses, additional crafting options, and refined progression systems. The developers are focusing on campaign completion, class implementation, and endgame enhancement.
Q5. How often will Path of Exile 2 receive updates after its full release? While specific update schedules haven’t been announced, Grinding Gear Games plans to maintain its reputation for regular post-launch support. Players can expect a similar update cadence to the original game, with frequent content additions and improvements.