The ARPG (Action Role-Playing Game) genre thrives on fast-paced combat, deep progression systems, and the thrill of finding that perfect piece of loot. In 2025, two games continue to lead the charge: Diablo IV and Path of Exile. While both are beloved for their intense gameplay and dark atmospheres, they take very different approaches to design, progression, and player experience. So which one is the best ARPG to sink your time into this year? Let’s break it down.
1. Accessibility vs Complexity
Diablo IV excels in accessibility. Its clean UI, fluid combat, and polished presentation make it welcoming to new players and satisfying for veterans. Skill trees and gear systems are deep but easy to grasp, letting you dive into action with minimal friction.
Path of Exile is a different beast. It offers a vast, complex web of passive skills, endless gear modifiers, and deep crafting mechanics. For players who enjoy planning builds and experimenting with layers of customization, it’s a dream. But the learning curve is steep.
Winner:
Diablo IV for newcomers and casual ARPG fans, Path of Exile for hardcore theorycrafters.
2. Endgame and Replayability
Diablo IV has evolved its endgame with nightmare dungeons, world bosses, and seasonal content. It offers a solid loop, though some players feel the progression plateaus too early.
Path of Exile is built around endgame. The Atlas of Worlds, League mechanics, and infinite build possibilities make it a game that’s always changing and growing. It rewards long-term investment like no other ARPG.
Winner:
Path of Exile, especially for players who crave endless depth and challenge.
3. Story and World Design
Blizzard brings its storytelling expertise to Diablo IV, delivering a rich narrative with cinematic cutscenes, emotional beats, and a gothic, immersive world. It's lore-heavy and atmospheric.
Path of Exile tells its story more subtly through in-game text, voice lines, and environmental clues. While the lore is rich, it often takes a backseat to gameplay and can be harder to follow without digging in.
Winner:
Diablo IV, for players who value cinematic storytelling and world-building.
4. Monetization and Community Trust
Path of Exile remains free-to-play, monetizing through cosmetics and stash tabs. It’s respected for avoiding pay-to-win mechanics and is supported by a passionate community.
Diablo IV is a premium title with paid expansions and cosmetics. While well-made, it has faced criticism over its live-service model and slower content updates.
Winner:
Path of Exile, for offering more value and community-driven trust.
Conclusion
Diablo IV and Path of Exile represent two sides of the ARPG coin. If you’re looking for a polished, visually rich, story-driven experience that’s easy to jump into, Diablo IV is your best bet. But if you crave deep systems, unlimited customization, and a thriving endgame, Path of Exile offers unmatched depth—especially with Path of Exile 2 on the horizon. In the end, the best ARPG in 2025 depends on how you like to play: streamlined and cinematic, or complex and limitless.
