Well, I've played Path of Exile before -- several times! But I've never actually plaaaaayed the game properly before. I've never had a real reason to except for the Hardcore Races once run by @mattclarke.

Other than those few Hardcore Races, I have tried playing it for the mere enjoyment of playing a game but I could never get into it. It felt empty. Like there wasn't a point. Like there was no reason to. It felt as though it would be so much better multiplayer, but I never had anyone else to play with or if I did find someone who was interested we were in different timezones, of course.

Cue me harassing my partner.

"A new league has started! Look at all the shiny happenings! Challenges! STUFF!"

"Okay, okay; fine! After I finish work we shall play."

And there was much rejoicing.

Because maybe, just maybe, whilst experiencing this game with another person, how I assume it was intended, maybe I will finally enjoy this game for what it is -- an actual fun game and not just a means for a social competition on the blockchain.

I decided to go with a Ranger, just like always. What can I say? I happen to like the Ranger! And because my partner is an elitist snob, he looked up builds all evening for his Witch and chose to go with a summoning thing he's done before. As for me... I'm just, "Derpa derp, I'm a ranger. I like bows and arrows and I think ballistas are fun."

I can't stand min-maxxing and elitist tendencies in games unless I'm the one working things out. For myself. I like choosing my own things. Working my own gear and stats out. Where's the fun otherwise?

"Such n such says this is best!!!!"

I don't give a flip. Doesn't matter what game. I do things because I think it's good and fun, not because some bozo who lives and breathes these nerdy things tells me it's good.

After being used to the silence of the Hardcore Solo Self Found version of the leagues, I quickly learnt that I needed to disable chat. Nothing is more distracting than random people's trollish in-chat meme'ing flashing across my screen.

I also quickly learnt that loot is shared except for a few things... that will then become shared if you don't pick it up quick enough.

Uggghhh.... Whyyyyy? Pain in the butt.

I also reiterate my position on this game that I don't give a toss about paying money on expanding my stash. However, I'll happily pay a good hundred dollars to EXPAND MY INVENTORY. I also discovered that Mr. Fancy Pants beside me, although reluctant to spend money on cosmetics in other games, threw a few hundred at this a while ago and looks like a god compared to my poor little lady.

In the current Ultimatum League, you can find a Trial Master on each map who'll give you a few challenges to choose from. Which usually results in a hundred creatures appearing on-screen alongside some lightning or fire and them dying so quickly that you don't even know what is happening.

After you kill the creatures within half a second, the screen transforms into a greyscale monstrosity and freezes for a few moments while you have the option of retrieving your rewards or adding more to your reward pile.

At current levels there is no point umming and ahhing about it and choosing to finish the challenge early. Just do them all! ALLLLLL!

Although I will say, when the Trial Master presents himself in a small room and unleashes his challenges, it's a little bit more difficult due to the confined space. 😬

Much loot! Many wow!

My person is pretty decked out at the moment thanks to the challenges. All yellow gear with tonnes of dexterity and regen and all things. During my previous playthroughs, I'd still have half blues right now. And thanks to these challenges, my stash harbours many orbs and things.

It's a beautiful sight.

We've just hit the start of Act 3. The furthest I've ever gotten in this game is the end of Act 3. I'd kill... what's-his-face... at the end, enter Act 4, and then, just, close the game.

I'm hoping to go further this time. I've never experienced the endless delve? Or whatever it is? That people always talk about. I've never experienced anything end-game-ish. And I'd like to!

At the moment I'm actually enjoying myself, but that could just be because I'm playing a co-op game with my partner and that always makes me happy. There's fewer PC co-op games out there than you'd think -- good ones that we both enjoy anyway.

I'm hoping that this little spree in Path of Exile lasts until about mid-May... about when the Mass Effect Legendary Edition is released. 😉 I can't wait! And I've just heard there's going to be a photo mode in it, so it's going to take me about five times longer than normal to finish the trilogy. And naturally that means there's going to be some more screenshot showcase posts in the future!

😁😁😁

Until next time,

Thanks for stopping by!! 😊

 

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_{All screenshots in this post are courtesy of me, @kaelci and are from the game: Path of Exile.}