The Path of Exile open beta arrives January 23!

Right around now, fans of the recently-deceased Diablo series are probably getting anxious. Diablo 3’s long-hyped, long-overdue, and long-promised PvP was recently canceled, leaving fans of mouse-clicking without the new content they had been waiting for. If only there were another action/RPG available to help satisfy their jitters-inducing cravings for fighting, exp, and loot. It turns out there is: Path of Exile, a crowd-sourced masterpiece that captures the classic Diablo 2 feel without the not-so-classic Diablo 3 feel.

And, as of January 23, POE will be available for open beta!

Now, if you’ve previously read my beta impressions of Path of Exile, or our in-depth interview with the game’s creators, you know there are already a lot of reasons ex-Diablo junkies will enjoy this title. There are hundreds of skills with millions of possible character builds. There’s an insane level of itemization, including the finding and trading of rare map levels (yes, even the end-game is an item!). And, of course, there’s a dark, unforgiving atmosphere that doesn’t include a single line of dialog from Might Morphin Power Rangers.

While I haven’t recently had the time to pour into this game that it deserves, I encourage everyone out there who’s looking for a lovingly-crafted action/RPG to give Path of Exile a shot. The open beta will be the perfect opportunity for anyone on the fence to at least try the title. Just don’t come complaining to me when it sucks in your life, your soul, and your left mouse button.

You can learn more at the official Path of Exile website.

Path of Exile open beta – full press release

Auckland, New Zealand – January 10, 2013 – Grinding Gear Games announced today that the highly anticipated action role-playing game (RPG) Path of Exile will enter Open Beta on January 23. The game is currently in Closed Beta but has already raised over USD$1.8 million in crowd-funded support, with those supporters gaining early access to the beta. Act 3 of the Path of Exile story will also be unveiled, in which players will explore abandoned docks, markets, temples and sewers in the ruined city of Sarn to further uncover the dark truth of their exile.

“We’re excited to have reached the point where we can finally throw open the doors and invite everyone in,” said Chris Wilson, producer for Grinding Gear Games. “We have one of the best and most supportive communities on the Internet, and their input has been invaluable in making Path of Exile what it is. We hope they’ll be delighted with all the new content.”

Current players have until the Open Beta to purchase the special in-game kiwi bird pet. The permanent pet is the national symbol of New Zealand and is exclusively available to Closed Beta players. Additionally, there will be no further character wipes once Open Beta launches.

Path of Exile was recently named “Players’ Choice Best Upcoming Game” by Indie DB. Over 78,000 readers voted in the awards.

Path of Exile is a PC online action role-playing game set in a dark fantasy world. Featuring ethical microtransactions, the game is free-to-play, but not pay-to-win. Playing as one of six character classes, players find themselves banished for their past misdeeds to the dark fantasy world of Wraeclast. There, they will encounter hundreds of species of opponents laden with loot and mysterious artifacts as they explore the abandoned continent.

Key features of Path of Exile

• A dark and deep action RPG
• Build unlimited unique characters on a gigantic skill tree
• Combine over 110 skill gems to create unique combat strategies
• Explore a dark and gritty world rendered from a fixed 3D perspective
• Download and play for free, but never ‘pay-to-win’
• Explore randomly generated levels for extreme replayability
• Craft weapons, magic items and even end-game maps to become more powerful
• Cooperate or compete with thousands of other exiles in a persistent online world
• Ascend online ladders in every game mode
• Battle in PVP tournaments for worldwide recognition

About Grinding Gear Games

Grinding Gear Games was founded in November 2006 in Auckland, New Zealand. Its founding members come from various countries and have a selection of diverse backgrounds ranging from artificial intelligence and software security to industrial design to professional tournament game play. We are currently developing Path of Exile, a competitive online action RPG. As veterans of various online role playing games, we understand what is required to make an addictive action RPG with visceral combat and a complex item economy.