SpawnPoint - Where Game Begins

Path of Exile

If you're having a hard time holding your breath for Diablo 3 to come out already, or you are turned off by the recent news that Diablo's auction house will allow the use of real currency, then I have a game that might peak your interest.

Path of Exile has been in development for four years at indie studio Grinding Gear Games and is about to finally go into closed beta on August 10th.

They plan a range of Player vs. Player combat options that should encourage the title as a competitive online playing field.

Path of Exile is an online action RPG that reminds me of a mixture of Diablo and a game like Magicka. From the looks of the UI you'll see a stark resemblance to Diablo.

"Your character's build really matters in Path of Exile. The game's deep itemization, innovative flask system and emphasis on skill combos will encourage players to plan character builds carefully so they can compete with the realm's best players," says producer Chris Wilson. "We won't be selling any form of power in the game, only aesthetic improvements, so if you're fighting someone you know they earned their place the hard way."

I find the above comment's arrival to be really interesting after this whole Diablo 3 fiasco.

Another really interesting aspect of the game is that players will have the option to experience a more intense model of PvP through the game's "cut throat" leagues, where players have the ability to invade the the instances of other players and kill them, taking all of their items, sort of like how Runescape worked.

"Of course, only a hyper-competitive player would ever choose to play in this league in the first place," says Wilson.

And to top everything off, Path of Exile will be completely free to download and play. That's what I like to hear.