Fans of action RPGs are extremely excited after Gamescom 2024, where two titans of the genre, Path of Exile 2 and Diablo 4, were both showcased. The stage is set for an epic showdown this fall, with Path of Exile 2 launching in early access on November 15, 2024, and Diablo 4 rolling out its highly anticipated Vessel of Hatred expansion just a month earlier, on October 8, 2024.
Both games contain intense gameplay experiences, and the competition between them is going to be fierce, making it an exciting time for fans of the genre.
Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred Brings New Mercenaries
![Diablo 4 Lilith image](https://fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/18062741/diablo-4-1024x576.webp)
Diablo 4 is gearing up for a significant content drop with its Vessel of Hatred expansion. Fans of the game are eagerly awaiting the introduction of new mercenaries, each fitting into an archetype that complements the existing classes in the game.
Watching Diablo IV and Path of Exile II go head to head in the fall is gonna be interesting…
— LastBlackSpartan 🤴🏾💯 (@LastBLKSpartan) August 20, 2024
The brief trailer shown at Gamescom gave a hint of the potential these mercenaries have to enhance current builds. Players are already imagining how these new characters will fit into their strategies like the shieldbearer providing defense for a necromancer.
The expansion also hints at some level of customization for these mercenaries, though details remain low at this point. Fans hope to see features similar to those in Diablo 3, where mercenaries could be equipped with hand-me-down armor and skill trees.
As the release date draws near, players are eager to explore these new features and see how they can optimize their builds with the help of these mercenaries.
Path of Exile 2’s Early Access Release
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Path of Exile 2, on the other hand, has been a long time coming, and the announcement of its early access release date has fans eager to dive into its six-act campaign. The game has been in development for over a decade, and the hype surrounding its release is pretty massive.
The new trailer shown at Gamescom mixed cinematics with a bit of gameplay, giving players a taste of the bloody, intense action that awaits them.
While Diablo might be the more established and popular name, Path of Exile 2 has the potential to shake up the genre with its innovative gameplay and deep customization options.
The early access release on November 15, 2024, will give players a chance to see if it can truly stand toe-to-toe with Diablo. With both games releasing within a month of each other, it’s going to be interesting to see which one comes out on top.
Which of these two games are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments!