Linux Review:

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2 is a next generation Action RPG from Grinding Gear Games, featuring co-op for up to six players. Set years after the original Path of Exile, you will return to the dark world of Wraeclast and seek to end the corruption that is spreading.

Path of Exile 2

PROTON TIER: PLATINUM


Path of Exile 2 - Linux Technical Documentation

Path of Exile 2 is a next-generation Action RPG from Grinding Gear Games, featuring co-op for up to six players. Set years after the original Path of Exile, you will return to the dark world of Wraeclast and seek to end the corruption that is spreading.

Status Check: Proton. Platinum tier on ProtonDB.

TWEAKS & TRICKS:

  • KDE Task Bar Visibility: Sometimes fails to hide the KDE (Wayland) task bar when launched in Windowed Fullscreen.

    • Solution: Toggle the task bar off and back on.

  • Stuttering from Shader Compilation: Stuttering caused by on-the-fly shader compilation.

    • Solution: __GL_SHADER_DISK_CACHE_SKIP_CLEANUP=1 %command% --waitforpreload

  • Windowed Fullscreen Issues: To achieve optimal graphics performance:

    • Solution: DISPLAY= PROTON_ENABLE_HDR=1 DXVK_HDR=1 PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 PROTON_DLSS_UPGRADE=1 PROTON_ENABLE_NGX_UPDATER=1 PROTON_USE_NTSYNC=1 PROTON_NVIDIA_LIBS=1 PROTON_NO_WM_DECORATION=1 PROTON_PREFER_SDL=1 PROTON_NO_STEAMINPUT=1 NVPRESENT_ENABLE_SMOOTH_MOTION=1 LD_PRELOAD="" game-performance gamescope --hdr-enabled -w 1920 -h 1080 -f -r 120 -- %command% (Note: adjust -w and -h for your desired resolution.)

  • HDR Support:

    • Solution: PROTON_ENABLE_HDR=1 DXVK_HDR=1 %command%

  • Improved Performance & Graphics:

    • Solution: Change Proton to Experimental.

  • Steam Deck Performance (Streaming Required): The game performs best on the Steam Deck through streaming from a desktop.

  • Steam Deck Frame Generation: Frame generation with FSR4 and lossless scaling.

    • Solution: fsr4-framegen + lossless scaling (requires approximate $7 USD purchase).

  • Vulkan Issues: Unplayable on Vulkan due to stuttering.

    • Solution: Use DX12.

Verdict: Path of Exile 2 is a viable purchase for Linux gamers, particularly those with powerful hardware and a willingness to experiment with launch options. While some tweaking is required to achieve optimal performance, the Platinum tier on ProtonDB indicates a largely functional experience.