Path of Exile 2, the upcoming expansion for the beloved ARPG, is drawing inspiration from a wide array of games, according to its game director, Jonathan Rogers. During a recent presentation on the game’s end-game content, Rogers revealed that while the intense boss battles take cues from titles like Elden Ring, the end-game map borrows ideas from none other than Civilization V.
As details emerged during the presentation and a subsequent press interview, one particularly impressive boss fight featured the player facing a formidable construct showcasing over a dozen unique attacks in several phases. This prompted questions about the diverse influences shaping the game.
Rogers candidly shared his thoughts: “It’s tough to pinpoint a single game that inspired us because the truth is, influences come from all over the place. Take our in-game map, for example. I told our artists, ‘I want it to have the feel of Civilization V!’ That’s not something you’d typically associate with an ARPG. Inspiration is everywhere, and it’s a challenge to compile a complete list.”
He continued, “As for the recent action games, their approach to combat definitely aligns with what we’re aiming for—games like Elden Ring, for instance. I play just about every genre out there, not just ARPGs, but I’ve got to say, single-player action games might just be my favorite.
“Those games have really shaped how I think about boss design and similar elements. Our goal is for the bosses in PoE 2 to be top-tier, on par with any action game out there. It’s all about crafting engaging mechanics and a variety of abilities, which really takes some effort. We also have to factor in action elements like dodge rolling in PoE 2, so there are definitely more action-oriented considerations. Balancing being an action game with having deep stats is quite the challenge!”
In our own preview of PoE 2, we’ve already noted the impressive boss design, which promises to elevate the action for players. Set your calendars as Path of Exile 2 gears up for its launch on December 6, available on both PC and consoles.
