Summary
Even ahead of its early access release, one ofPath of Exile 2’s most recognizable elements has been its boss fights. The enriched detail found inPath of Exile 2, as opposed to that of the firstPath of Exileand other ARPGs, also increases the immersion of its boss fights, as well as the threat that each of those fights poses. The visual design ofPath of Exile 2’s bosses isn’t the only thing they have going for them, however, as they implement a unique mechanic that isn’t generally seen in ARPGs.
One major thing that setsPath of Exile 2’s boss fights apart from those of its predecessor is that its bosses are much more vocal. InPath of Exile, bosses were known to occasionally speak to the player and even threaten them throughout each fight. InPath of Exile 2, however, that dialogue is not only more prominent but is also used in a unique way that isn’t typical ofmodern isometric ARPGs. Specifically, the dialogue ofPath of Exile 2’s bosses is actually integrated into each fight’s mechanics for a more immersive, realistic, and challenging experience than the first game’s bosses were capable of providing.
Path of Exile 2’s Boss Fights Innovate on Telegraphs
Most ARPG Boss Fights Rely on Visual Telegraphs
For the most part,boss fights in ARPGshave been known to rely heavily on visual telegraphs as a primary mechanic for signaling enemy attacks. These telegraphs often take the form of highlighted areas on the ground, glowing markers, or animation cues to help players identify where an attack will land and then respond accordingly. InDiablo 4, for instance, players are provided with the area that will be affected by the attack, thereby encouraging them to step outside that area to avoid taking damage. MMOs likeFinal Fantasy 14incorporate a similar style of signaling enemy attacks to provide players with a more accessible opportunity to step out of harm’s way.
The dialogue ofPath of Exile 2’s bosses is actually integrated into each fight’s mechanics for a more immersive, realistic, and challenging experience.
However, while visual telegraphs like these certainly enhance the overall gameplay experience by making it more accessible and increasing clarity in a boss fight, it also simplifies decision-making to a point that has been known to suck the thrill of the challenge out of the game. If anything, highlighting attack areas with visual cues robs players of the immersion they could experience in agame likeDiablo 4, as they might become too reliant on these cues and stop paying attention to the bosses themselves altogether.
Path of Exile 2’s Boss Fights Primarily Give Dialogue Telegraphs
In a bit of a deviation from the norm,Path of Exile 2chooses not to prioritize visual telegraphs and instead to rely more on audio and dialogue telegraphs. Many of thebosses inPath of Exile 2call out the names of their attacks (or recite a specific line of dialogue associated with an attack) before they act, thereby encouraging players to learn each fight according to what they hear rather than what they see. It’s not the only game that uses audio telegraphs more than visual cues, but it is one of the only games where listening to a boss and reacting accordingly can be the dividing line between life and death.
Path of Exile 2doesn’t do away with visual telegraphs entirely, as simply paying attention to an area where the ground is quaking or watching the animations of the boss can give an attack away. However, there are no highlighted attack zones inPath of Exile 2, and, more often than not, the best way to learn a boss fight inPath of Exile 2is to listen to what the boss says. Of course, this ultimately means that mastering each fight comes down to trial and error, but that is generally the case in almost anygame as difficult asPath of Exile 2, including the Soulslike games it seems to imitate.
