In an unexpected twist, Path of Exile (PoE 1) has overtaken Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) in concurrent player count on Steam, despite PoE 2's fresh early access launch and PoE 1's long content drought. The resurgence was sparked by the surprise Legacy of Phrecia event, which pulled in tens of thousands of players and proved that PoE 1 still has serious staying power in the ARPG community.

On the day Legacy of Phrecia launched, PoE 1 peaked at 91,948 concurrent players, surpassing PoE 2's 80,879 concurrent count. What's particularly notable is that PoE 2's numbers remained steady, meaning the returning PoE 1 players didn't abandon the sequel-they simply came back, en masse, to revisit the original title.

How PoE 1's Comeback Happened

Path of Exile has built a reputation over the past decade for delivering four major league updates each year, each bringing new mechanics, balance changes, and gameplay tweaks. However, the early access push for PoE 2 disrupted that cadence. Grinding Gear Games shifted much of its development focus to ensuring PoE 2's launch was as smooth as possible, resulting in a significant delay for PoE 1's 3.26 patch.

This marked the longest content drought in PoE 1's history, over seven months since the Settlers of Kalguur league. While Grinding Gear Games (GGG) was transparent about the shift in priorities, many longtime players were frustrated by the lack of new content. Hopes for a timely 3.26 release dwindled as GGG announced the PoE 1 team would continue supporting PoE 2 development until version 0.2.0 was complete.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, came Legacy of Phrecia. This one-month event didn't just offer minor tweaks-it shattered the existing class meta by reworking all 19 ascendancy classes, effectively overhauling PoE 1's core progression system. The experimental changes gave players a fresh reason to dive back in, even with no new league on the horizon.

Why PoE 1's Player Base Didn't Cannibalize PoE 2's

Despite their shared universe and gameplay roots, Path of Exile 1 and Path of Exile 2 are surprisingly different games in terms of structure, pacing, and content philosophy.

PoE 1 boasts years of content layering, balance refinement, and intricate endgame systems that newer titles-PoE 2 included-can't match right out of the gate. While PoE 2 offers fresh visuals, updated combat, and an entirely new campaign, it lacks the content depth and rich endgame that PoE 1 players have grown accustomed to. This disparity is where much of the current tension lies.

Many longtime players have voiced their frustrations with PoE 2's endgame content. Despite high hopes and strong early impressions, the endgame systems have left much to be desired. Influential content creators like Zizaran, Mathil1, Ben, and Kripparian have all highlighted the shortcomings, particularly in comparison to the dense, rewarding loops of PoE 1's maps, POE currency orbs, and bosses.

It's also important to note that PoE 2's massive early access launch, which hit a peak of 578,562 concurrent players, naturally tapered off. Over the past month, it has fluctuated between 50,000 to 150,000 players. That's a standard decline for most games, but PoE 1 isn't "most games."

PoE 1 has always been unique in its player retention. For example, Settlers of Kalguur peaked at 228,398 concurrent players and still maintained a healthy 163,118 players by the end of July 2024. Few ARPGs can match that level of stickiness, and it speaks to just how compelling PoE 1's systems still are.

Legacy of Phrecia's Impact

The Legacy of Phrecia event didn't just bring back lapsed players; it reinvigorated a sense of experimentation in the community. Reworking all 19 ascendancies fundamentally changed how players approached builds and endgame content. This wasn't just a numbers patch-it was an invitation to rethink the meta, to explore, and to rediscover what made PoE 1 compelling in the first place.

The fact that this dramatic shift came during a "drought" shows just how impactful content pacing and surprise elements can be in long-running live-service games. Even in the absence of a traditional league, the event gave PoE 1 a second wind.

Looking Ahead: Can PoE 2 Win the Community Back?

There's no doubt PoE 2 still has a strong foundation. The game continues to bring in new players, particularly those unfamiliar with the ARPG genre. The early access release was well-received for its visuals, smoother onboarding, and skill design. But without a compelling endgame loop, many veterans feel unfulfilled.

Grinding Gear Games has made it clear that they want players to jump between PoE 1 and PoE 2 in alternating cycles. Ideally, this would keep both games fresh, reduce burnout, and maintain community engagement. But for that strategy to succeed, PoE 2 must evolve its endgame to match the expectations of its veteran fanbase.

If it can deliver on that front, the switching model might just work. Until then, PoE 1's legacy-and its deeply entrenched systems-continue to make it the gold standard in the franchise, even in the face of newer, shinier competition.

As the ARPG community keeps a close eye on both games, one thing is clear: Path of Exile 1 is far from being replaced. If anything, Legacy of Phrecia proves that there's still a deep well of passion and potential in the original title.

MMOexp POE Team