Conceptual Design: Environmental Destruction and Advanced Physics for Poe2

I keep going back to ExileCon videos to personally keep learning about game design, music composition and other stuff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrHHTQqmAaM&t=2452s

And this concept appeared in my mind:

One of the most exciting possibilities for Path of Exile 2 lies in the potential expansion of its environmental interaction and physics systems. Imagine a world where the environment is no longer a static backdrop but an integral part of gameplay, evolving and reacting dynamically to the player’s power. Here’s a conceptual design that explores the introduction of environmental destruction, body physics, and element-based interactions that could reshape PoE’s gameplay, potentially even as a core feature in a new "Ruthless" mode for those craving a deeper challenge.

Environmental Destruction & Tile Interaction
Picture this: high-level characters in PoE 2 whose abilities have evolved to the point where their power begins to literally alter the world around them. When you cast an Earthquake, it’s not just about damaging monsters anymore—it's about watching the ground rupture and break, tiles crumbling and falling away as part of the physical destruction. This would make certain areas feel alive, where your power leaves a permanent mark on the environment. And we're not talking about small cracks here and there—whole tilesets could fracture, revealing the vast unknown, reminiscent of the aesthetic of the Celestial Hideout, where chunks of reality seem suspended in the void.

For instance, casting a cataclysmic skill like Molten Strike might melt sections of the floor in a lava-heavy area, and it would look as if the tiles are slowly dissolving into molten rock beneath your feet. This level of interaction gives a visceral, weighty feel to spells, enhancing immersion as the environment reacts to your presence and powers.

Physics and Rigid Body Dynamics
Building on this, imagine how these interactions could be expanded with rigid body dynamics. For example, you're fighting a horde of enemies on a narrow bridge high above a chasm, and with a well-placed hit, you send them flying off the edge. Monsters in PoE 2 could be subject to gravity in more realistic ways, falling off cliffs or being hurled into destructible environmental objects. They would tumble into the void or crash through weakened parts of a structure.

This would add a strategic layer to the combat, allowing you to use the terrain to your advantage—especially in a mode like “Ruthless,” where precision and resource management are key. Picture a Dark Souls-like moment where an enemy boss charges toward you, and instead of simply dodging, you lure them to the edge of a cliff, delivering a final blow that sends them plummeting into the depths below. The sense of satisfaction in executing such a maneuver would be unparalleled.

Elemental Interactions
Further adding to this concept are interactions between elements—imagine a fight in a waterlogged dungeon. You cast a fireball, and instead of just dealing elemental damage, the water begins to evaporate, filling the room with steam, obscuring vision. Or maybe you're in an icy cavern, and your lightning skill causes ice to crack and shatter, sending monsters slipping and falling. These elemental interactions would add a sense of realism, making the world feel reactive and alive.

Dynamic Camera & Visual Depth
With such destructive potential, the camera could evolve as well. In PoE 2, a dynamic camera system might shift to capture the scope of destruction, pulling back as you rupture the ground, showing the cascading collapse of the environment in all its chaotic beauty. In more intimate fights, the camera could zoom in to show the detail of monsters falling from heights, ragdolling as they plummet or crashing into destructible objects. This adds a cinematic quality to the game, emphasizing the weight and impact of your actions.

Ruthless Mode: Slower, More Tactical Combat
While such mechanics could be a thrilling addition to the regular game, they may also appeal specifically to a more hardcore audience. In the same vein as Dark Souls or other slow, methodical games, PoE 2 could introduce these features more prominently in the "Ruthless" mode. This mode would emphasize slower combat, where environmental awareness and tactical use of physics could be the difference between life and death. Environmental hazards, monster knockbacks, and the danger of falling off ledges would add a layer of difficulty to fights, forcing players to think before acting.

Final Thoughts

This concept for Path of Exile 2 isn’t just about adding new mechanics—it’s about creating a more immersive, reactive world where the player’s power feels tangible and the environment becomes an a different experience. The combination of environmental destruction, physics, elemental interactions, and a dynamic camera could redefine the PoE experience, offering players something they’ve never seen before in an ARPG.

Insane cost-benefit ratio. When I thought about this and possibility on modifying skills I literally get headache.
It's some demo tech shit.