GameLight - Path of Exile

Official Site: https://www.pathofexile.com/
Steam Page: http://store.steampowered.com/app/238960
Source: Youtube Channel gamespot

I'm shocked I never mentioned Path of Exile (other than the 2013 Anticipated games list) even once!  I've been playing in open beta since the beginning of the year and closed beta last year.  It's an ambitious take on the Free-to-play, Top-Down, Point-n-Click, Action-RPG genre that's highly influenced by the first two Diablo games and their darker atmospheric environment.  It's hard to believe that this 7 year game in development is an indie project.  It sure doesn't feel like a free-to-play game either.  Some of the aspects that sets this game apart from the other Action-RPGs are they way classes work, items, and the skill tree (how what my friends like to call 'skill jungle').  It most games, the classes you choose defines what role and skills you'll obtain.  In Path of Exile (PoE), a class is a starting point and helps influence towards what kind of character and skills you want.  Skills are obtained through gems that are socketed into your equipment and can be taken out at any time to be put in other equipment when you find upgrades.  Rather than currency to purchase items, you receive other items for selling unnecessary equipment which can be used to help improve your character.  The skill tree is reminiscent of Final Fantasy X's skill tree in a much more broader and extensive customization.  There are so many possibilities and builds that can be made which leads to a lot of experimentation and replay value for players.  The game has had a strong following and community of players for the past year in open beta, so I can imagine that it'll have even more players from today onwards as it has officially released along with a steam version.  You can check out Path of Exile on their official website or download it through Steam.  If you already have an account, you can link it to your steam account.

For new players, the game might seem a bit overwhelming at first; however, there are tons of videos and guides online that can help you ease into it.  Don't be afraid to experiment or even start over a new character.  Have fun!