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Path of Exile 2 Final Early Access Patch Arrives May 29, Steam Deck Verified by Month's End

GamingTechnology5/8/2026
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Path of Exile 2's last major early access update, patch 0.5.0, launches on May 29, bringing a significant endgame overhaul. Developer Grinding Gear Games (GGG) stated the game will be effectively Steam Deck verified by the end of this month. The full, free-to-play 1.0 release is expected later this year.

Facts First

  • Final early access patch 0.5.0 launches May 29 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X.
  • Game will be effectively Steam Deck verified by month's end, with UI scaling and defaults set for the device.
  • Patch 0.5.0 overhauls the endgame, adding new questlines, explorable areas, and ascendancy options.
  • Full 1.0 release is expected this year, after ExileCon in early November.
  • Game will transition to free-to-play upon its full 1.0 launch.

What Happened

Grinding Gear Games (GGG) announced patch 0.5.0, titled 'Return of the Ancients', for Path of Exile 2. This final major early access patch is scheduled for release on May 29 across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X. The developer stated that the game will effectively be Steam Deck verified by the end of this month, having added UI scaling options and set defaults for the device. The studio is currently play-testing to ensure a good experience on Steam Deck.

Why this Matters to You

If you play Path of Exile 2 on a Steam Deck, you may soon have a smoother, officially supported experience with better text and UI scaling. The upcoming patch adds substantial new endgame content, including new questlines, the sea, and a gigantic fortress to explore, which could extend your playtime. For the Huntress and Monk classes, new ascendancy specializations are being added, offering fresh ways to build your character, such as the Huntress' ability to tame beast bosses. The full 1.0 release later this year will make the game free to play, which could lower the barrier to entry for you and your friends.

What's Next

The full 1.0 release of Path of Exile 2 is expected later this year, likely after the ExileCon convention in early November. The final development work focuses on completing Acts 5 and 6 of the campaign, which are described as nearly finished. Some previously promised character classes... are expected to be added after the 1.0 launch. The studio has stated it has not done any work regarding a potential Nintendo Switch 2 version. The final release timeline may be contingent on player feedback regarding the new endgame content introduced in patch 0.5.0.

Perspectives

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Game Critics describe Path of Exile 2 as a 'deep and delightful action role-playing game' that offers more depth and challenge than the Diablo series.
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Game Developers maintain that while the game is expanding significantly, they prioritize quality and player acceptance of the endgame over meeting specific class counts or strict release schedules.
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Skeptical Observers worry that the heavy focus on reshaping the endgame might delay the development of the remaining campaign acts and the planned character classes.
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Platform Analysts suggest that a Switch 2 version would 'make a lot of sense' based on the success of similar titles on Nintendo hardware and current handheld support.