Path of Exile 2 Sets December 11 Release, Goes Free-to-Play
The move to a free-to-play model at full release, after two years of paid early access, brings the sequel's core loop to a much wider player base without a purchase barrier.
Key Facts
- Path of Exile 2 will officially release on December 11, 2026, as announced during gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 on August 26, 2026.
- The game will be free to play on all platforms at the time of its full release, after being available in early access for DLC purchasers since December 7, 2024.
- Supported platforms at launch are PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
- The announcement trailer appeared to show a new class specializing in sword action.
- Path of Exile 2 supports solo play and cooperative play for up to six players in the setting of Wraeclast.
Reporting from 5 sources: 4Gamer.net, GAME Watch (Impress), Denfaminicogamer, Automaton, and 1 more.
Grinding Gear Games announced during gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 that Path of Exile 2 will receive its full release on December 11, 2026. The action RPG, currently in early access, will be offered as a free-to-play title across all supported platforms when it officially launches. The game supports solo play and cooperative play for up to six players on the dark continent of Wraeclast, where players build characters using various enhancement elements and take on powerful enemies. Early access began on December 7, 2024, for DLC purchasers, meaning the official release arrives about two years after the initial early access period started. Supported platforms include PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The announcement trailer shown at the event featured battle scenes and appeared to reveal a new class specializing in sword action. The game is the sequel to Path of Exile, which debuted in 2013. Early access launched with six classes, with additional classes such as Huntress and Druid added through major updates since then.
Grinding Gear Games confirmed the release window during the gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 broadcast on August 26, 2026. The presentation included new footage showing battle action scenes and a sword-wielding class that appears to be new. The game will be free to play on all platforms at the time of official release, matching the business model of the original Path of Exile. Early access began on December 7, 2024, and required purchasing a DLC pack to play. Since then, the game has received major updates that added the Huntress and Druid classes on top of the original six launch classes. The sequel is set in the same dark fantasy world of Wraeclast as its 2013 predecessor, and retains the top-down hack-and-slash combat and deep character building that defined the first game. The official release date applies simultaneously to PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 5 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- 4Gamer.net 「Path of Exile 2」，12月11日に基本プレイ無料でのフルリリースが決定
- GAME Watch (Impress) 「Path of Exile 2」がついに正式リリース！ 12月11日に基本プレイ無料で配信開始【gamescom2026】
- Denfaminicogamer ハクスラARPG『Path of Exile 2』が2026年12月11日に正式リリース決定。剣を振るう新たなクラスの姿も
- Automaton ハクスラARPG『Path of Exile 2』12月11日正式リリースへ。“底なし沼”なやりこみゲーム、ついに「基本プレイ無料」で遊べる
- Game Spark ハクスラRPG『Path of Exile 2』12月11日に正式リリース決定！全プラットフォームで“基本プレイ無料”に【gamescom ONL 2026】