The Gates Are Open: Path of Exile 2 Announces Its First-Ever Free Weekend

For months, the highly anticipated action RPG Path of Exile 2 has been in an exclusive early access phase, available only to those who purchased a “Supporter Pack.” This has left a massive portion of the gaming community on the sidelines, eagerly awaiting their chance to dive into the next evolution of the genre-defining series. The wait is finally over. Grinding Gear Games has officially announced that for the first time ever, Path of Exile 2 will be completely free to play for a limited weekend, giving players full, unrestricted access to all of the content currently available in early access.

When and Where to Play

The free weekend kicks off on Friday, August 29, 2025, at 1 PM PDT, and runs through Monday, September 1, 2025, at 1 PM PDT. The game will be available on all of its early access platforms, including PC (via Steam, Epic Games Store, and a standalone client), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The timing is particularly noteworthy as it coincides with the release of the massive “The Third Edict” content update, which introduces a host of new features, a new campaign act, and significant balance changes.

Here’s what you need to know to get started:

• No Purchase Necessary: The game will be available to download directly from the respective platform stores for free.
• Full Content Access: There are no limitations. Players will be able to experience the entire available campaign, all classes and ascendancies, and the game’s evolving endgame content.
• Progress Carries Over: Any progress made during the free weekend will be saved. If you choose to purchase an early access Supporter Pack after the event, you can pick up exactly where you left off.

It’s important to note that there will be no pre-load option for the free weekend. Players will need to wait until the official start time to begin their download, so a fast internet connection might be a key advantage to getting into the action early.

What to Expect: A Deep Dive into The Third Edict

This is not just a free trial of an existing game; it’s a chance to experience the most polished and feature-rich version of Path of Exile 2 yet. The “The Third Edict” update is a major overhaul that addresses much of the community feedback from the initial early access period. Key highlights of the new patch include:

• A New Campaign Act: The game’s campaign is expanding with a new act, introducing new environments, bosses, and a non-linear island-hopping adventure.
• Massive Balance Changes: The developers have made sweeping changes to all existing classes, introducing new skills and buffing others to create a more balanced and diverse metagame.
• New Trading System: One of the most significant quality-of-life improvements is the introduction of a new in-game trading system with “Merchant Tabs,” which finally allows players to trade with others without having to be online.
• Exclusive Free Cosmetics: As a special thank you to all players who join during the free weekend, Grinding Gear Games is offering a number of exclusive cosmetics, including an Exile’s Hood, Staff Skin, and Cloak, just for reaching certain progression milestones in Act One.

The free weekend serves multiple purposes for Grinding Gear Games. It’s a way to reward a patient community, a strategic move to attract new players who have been hesitant to jump into early access, and a crucial stress test for the game’s servers ahead of a wider, full free-to-play launch in the future. For anyone who has been on the fence about trying Path of Exile 2, this is the perfect opportunity to see why the game is generating so much excitement. With a massive content update and no cost of entry, there has never been a better time to step into the dark and dangerous world of Wraeclast.