You’ve probably seen the placeholder dates. Maybe you’ve even seen that "2024" or "2025" tag floating around on some sketchy storefront listings. Honestly, the situation with the Path of Exile 2 release date PS5 is a bit of a mess if you're just glancing at Google.
Here is the reality: the game is technically out, but it also technically isn't.
Right now, we are deep in the trenches of Early Access. Grinding Gear Games (GGG) dropped the initial build on December 6, 2024. If you have a PS5, you can go play it this second—provided you’re willing to pay for a Supporter Pack or you’ve spent a small fortune ($480+) on the first game over the last decade. But if you’re waiting for the "real" launch—the free-to-play 1.0 version—you’re going to be waiting a while.
When Is the Actual Path of Exile 2 1.0 Release?
Basically, GGG is aiming for 2026.
I know, that sounds ages away. Especially since we’ve been hearing about this game since the 2019 ExileCon reveal. But look at the pace. Jonathan Rogers, the game director, has been pretty vocal about the fact that they won't rush the 1.0 tag.
Currently, the game is sitting at version 0.4.0d (as of mid-January 2026). We just got the Druid class in the "Last of the Druids" update in December 2025. While that update was massive, we are still missing several of the promised 12 character classes.
The Roadmap Reality
If you track the updates, they’re coming in roughly four-month cycles.
- Late 2024: Early Access Launch (Acts 1-3).
- August 2025: The Third Edict (Act 4 and major system overhauls).
- December 2025: The Last of the Druids (Druid class and environmental fixes).
- Early/Mid 2026: Expected 0.5 and 0.6 patches.
There is a very real chance the Path of Exile 2 release date PS5 for the full 1.0 version slips into late 2026 or even early 2027. GGG are perfectionists. They’ve already delayed the early access once because they couldn't get the account migration servers to behave. They aren't going to flip the "Free-to-Play" switch until the endgame—which currently feels a bit like a construction site—is fully paved.
Why the PS5 Version Is a Different Beast
If you’re a console player, you’re used to getting the short end of the stick. Usually, ARPGs are ported to consoles as an afterthought. Not this time.
Path of Exile 2 was built with a "console-first" mindset for its controls. No more janky virtual cursors. They added a WASD movement scheme for PC, which translated beautifully to the dual-analog sticks on the DualSense.
Couch Co-op Is the Secret Sauce
The coolest thing about the PS5 version—and something most people don't realize—is that you can actually play the entire campaign in local couch co-op. You don't need two consoles. You don't even need two separate accounts to start, though it helps for progression. You can just plug in a second controller and start smashing goats in Ogham together.
PS5 Pro Enhancements
For those of you who shelled out for the PS5 Pro, the game is already "Enhanced." You're looking at much more stable frame rates during those high-density Breach encounters where the screen is basically 90% particle effects and 10% hope.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Release"
I see this question a lot on Reddit: "Is the game free on PS5 yet?"
No. It won't be free until the Path of Exile 2 release date PS5 hits that 1.0 milestone in 2026. Right now, you have to buy your way in. The cheapest entry point is the $30 "Founder's Pack."
Is it worth $30?
That depends. If you want a polished, bug-free experience, absolutely not. The game crashes. Some bosses are wildly overtuned (looking at you, Bahlak). The economy is in constant flux.
But if you want to see the evolution of the genre—and you're bored of Diablo 4's seasonal grind—the $30 effectively gives you $30 worth of microtransaction points anyway. So, the "access" is basically a free bonus if you were going to buy stash tabs eventually. And trust me, you will need stash tabs.
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The Performance Problem on Console
Let's be real for a second. The PS5 version isn't perfect.
The most recent 0.4.0 patch fixed a bug where the Phoenix Dodge Roll effect was literally invisible, and there are still issues with texture streaming. Sometimes you'll load into a town and everyone looks like they’re made of wet clay for five seconds.
Also, the "dialogue skipping" bug has been haunting console players for months. You try to talk to an NPC, and the game just decides you don't care about the lore and closes the window. It’s frustrating. But GGG is patching this thing almost weekly.
Actionable Steps for PS5 Players
If you're hovering over that "Buy" button on the PlayStation Store, here is how you should handle the current state of the game:
- Check Your PoE 1 History: Before you spend a dime, log into the Path of Exile website. If you’ve spent $480 over the lifetime of your account on a single platform, you already have access. Don't buy a pack you don't need.
- Wait for "Free Weekends": GGG has been running trial weekends every few months. There was one in December 2025, and there will likely be another around April 2026. Use these to test if the performance is acceptable for you.
- Prioritize Stash Tabs: If you do buy in, don't spend your points on flashy wings. Buy a Currency Tab and a Map Tab. You cannot play the endgame without them. Period.
- Use the Website for Filters: Console players can finally subscribe to web-based item filters. Go to the PoE website, find a filter you like (NeverSink is the gold standard), and "Follow" it. It will automatically sync to your PS5.
The Path of Exile 2 release date PS5 might feel like a moving target, but the game is very much "here" in its pupal stage. Just don't go in expecting a finished masterpiece yet. It's a glorious, complicated, and occasionally broken mess—and for most of us, that's exactly why we love it.
If you're still on the fence, keep an eye on the 0.5.0 patch notes expected this spring. That’s when we’re rumored to get the next batch of Ascendancy classes, which should finally balance out the current meta dominance of the Monk and Witch.