Grinding Gear Games has officially announced that its hack-and-slash action role-playing title, Path of Exile 2, will complete its early access period and officially launch version 1.0 on December 11, 2026. The developer revealed the long-awaited date during Gamescom Opening Night Live, accompanying the news with a new gameplay trailer that highlights several features heading to the completed title.
Upon its 1.0 launch, the game will be available across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Grinding Gear Games reconfirmed that the full experience will remain free-to-play, maintaining the business model of its predecessor. Path of Exile 2 initially debuted in early access in December 2024, offering fans a generous portion of the game while the studio spent roughly two years refining mechanics, polishing performance, and expanding the core campaign.
A primary highlight of the full release is the introduction of the Duelist, a brand-new class tailored around rapid sword-based combat. However, the addition of swords extends beyond a single character type. Because Path of Exile 2 features an open equipment system that does not restrict weapon categories to specific classes, swords will offer fresh tactical possibilities and build options for other archetypes, including the Huntress, Mercenary, and Warrior.
Players do not need to wait until late 2026 for new content, as the developer continues to maintain early access. The upcoming Forbidden Rites event is scheduled to launch on September 4, bringing new combat encounters and structural revisions to existing features, such as updates to the Trial of Chaos.
Built using Grinding Gear Games' proprietary engine, Path of Exile 2 has earned a Mature 17+ rating from the ESRB for intense violence, blood and gore, nudity, and explicit language. As a free-to-play MMORPG experience, the title will also feature in-game purchases and random item mechanics when it formally launches at the end of 2026.
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