Path of Exile 2 finally has its 1.0 release date and it's coming this year

Grinding Gear Games announced the release date for Path of Exile 2 during Gamescom Opening Night Live. The long-awaited 1.0 version of the game will go live on December 11th, also marking its transition to a free-to-play model. This change eliminates the need for the previously required Founder's Pack. The 1.0 release brings a new class called the Duelist, a melee-focused character capable of using shields and designed for aggressive combat.

The final two campaign Acts will also be included in the initial release. Grinding Gear Games is conducting a free registration campaign leading up to the launch, with rewards available for the community based on the number of sign-ups. The full release of Path of Exile 2 occurs almost exactly two years after its initial early access launch, which began on November 4th.

The developer had previously aimed to launch the 1.0 version after the ExileCon convention, which took place in November. The early access version, available on PlayStation and Xbox, has been successful, with millions of players queuing up on day one. Eurogamer's Robert Purchese praised the game's quality in their early access review, highlighting its challenging combat that rewards perseverance and sets it apart from other action RPGs.