Path of Exile

Dissecting the Necropolis League: A Brutally Honest Review

rootzaga

Introduction: Greetings, fellow Exiles! Today, I'm diving headfirst into the maelstrom of Path of Exile's latest league: Necropolis. As someone who's been around Wraeclast for quite some time, I've seen my fair share of leagues come and go. So, buckle up as I dissect this new addition to the PoE universe with all its quirks, flaws, and occasional glimmers of brilliance.

The Pros and Cons of Necropolis League: Let's start with the positives, shall we? The all-flame jar mechanics are undeniably cool, adding a fresh layer of complexity to our beloved game. However, beyond that, the pros become somewhat elusive. The buffed monsters, while theoretically a boon, often feel like an added layer of frustration rather than a thrilling challenge. Crafting, a cornerstone of any league, feels more like a tedious chore than an exhilarating pursuit of power. And don't even get me started on the cramped stash space!

NECROPOLIS LEAGUE THOUGHTS:

PROS:

  1. Allflame Jars: Undoubtedly, the Allflame jars bring a refreshing twist to the gameplay experience, offering unique mechanics and challenges.

CONS:

  1. Slow Progression in SSF: Gathering enough high-quality corpses in Solo Self-Found mode feels like an eternity, hindering crafting progression and player satisfaction.
  2. Underwhelming Crafting: Despite the intricate crafting system introduced in Necropolis League, the preparation required outweighs the rewards, leaving players feeling underwhelmed and discouraged.
  3. RNG Dependency: The inability to use one's own base item in crafting adds an unnecessary layer of RNG, detracting from the sense of achievement and control players crave.
  4. Poor UI Design: The user interface suffers from clunkiness and inefficiency, making navigation and interaction a cumbersome task.
  5. Graveyard Crafting Interface: The crafting UI within the graveyard mechanic lacks user-friendliness and fails to provide a seamless experience.
  6. Corpse Management Issues: Corpses are treated as obstacles rather than items, complicating looting and obstructing gameplay flow.
  7. Buffed Monsters Provide No Loot: Extra buffed monsters add unnecessary difficulty without commensurate rewards, diminishing the enjoyment of encounters.
  8. Limited Storage Containers: The storage containers for league items are inadequately small, exacerbating inventory management challenges.
  9. Punishment for Less Effective Builds: Builds deemed less effective are disproportionately penalized due to the unavoidable league mechanics, creating imbalance and frustration among players.

OVERALL CHANGES/THOUGHTS:

PROS:

  1. Quality of Life Improvements: Necropolis League introduces several quality of life improvements that enhance the overall player experience.
  2. New Uber Uniques and Boss Pools: The addition of new Uber uniques and separate boss item pools provides players with fresh challenges and rewards.
  3. Positive Campaign Changes: Some positive adjustments have been made to the campaign, including early access to league mechanics and the removal of certain mechanics like Sextants.
  4. Scarabs: The introduction of scarabs adds a new layer of depth to gameplay, offering additional opportunities for exploration and rewards.
  5. Beneficial Master Changes: Changes to the master system provide players with more consistent access to master missions, improving overall gameplay flow.
  6. Archmage Improvements: The improvements to Archmage offer players more viable build options and playstyles.
  7. New Gems: The addition of new gems expands build diversity and opens up new avenues for experimentation and customization.

CONS:

  1. Questionable Balance Changes: The decision to buff Detonate Dead while nerfing melee builds raises concerns among players regarding balance and game integrity.
  2. Ineffective Fixes: Doubts linger about the effectiveness of certain fixes, such as the desecrate FPS fix, leaving players skeptical about the state of the game.

The UX Nightmare: Ah, the user experience—or lack thereof. Necropolis League seems to have missed the memo on intuitive design. From clunky UI interactions to bizarre movement bugs, navigating this league feels like traversing a minefield of frustration. And let's not even mention the dreaded corpse management system. Who thought it was a good idea to clutter our screens with loot-blocking cadavers?

Crafting Woes: As an avid crafter, Necropolis League's crafting system left me sorely disappointed. Haunted modifiers sound intriguing in theory, but reports suggest they're more underwhelming than game-changing. Crafting should be a thrilling adventure, not a mind-numbing grind for subpar loot. And let's not even mention the arduous process of collecting crafting materials—tedium at its finest.

The Silver Lining: Despite Necropolis League's myriad flaws, all hope is not lost. Beneath the rubble of disappointment lie glimmers of promise. The overarching changes to PoE, from new Uber uniques to revamped master missions, inject a breath of fresh air into the game. It's clear that GGG's intentions were noble, even if the execution fell short.

Conclusion: So, where does Necropolis League stand in the grand hierarchy of Path of Exile expansions? As much as it pains me to say it, Necropolis falls short of the mark. While the core game remains as engaging as ever, the league mechanics feel like a half-baked experiment gone awry. However, all is not lost. With diligent patching and community feedback, there's still hope for Necropolis to rise from the ashes and reclaim its rightful place among the pantheon of great PoE leagues. But for now, consider this Exile's journey through Necropolis a cautionary tale—a reminder that even the mightiest of empires can crumble in the face of missteps. Until next time, may your loot be plentiful and your Exiles resilient.