Action RPG Path of Exile is opening its beta up to the public again for one last pre-Diablo III weekend. The previous open beta weekend introduced almost 50,000 new players to the game, and the donation drive that followed rose over $200,000 for the developers, Grinding Gear Games. This new beta weekend, running from 5pm Friday (May 11) to 11:59pm Sunday (May 13) PDT, will see two major additions: the Shadow class and patch 0.9.9.

Patch 0.9.9, you say? What exactly can we expect from such a thing? Well, let me show you:

• 10 skills
• 4 support gems
• 1 quest
• 1 monster type

And perhaps most significantly, monster AI and behavior has been revamped. Combined with significant balance changes, these changes show Path of Exile now promises a more challenging experience than ever.

It's absolutely notable the this open beta weekend is coming just before the release of Diablo III on the 15. Grinding Gear Games will want to show the contrast between its game and Blizzard's. Specifically, they'll want players to believe Path of Exile is the true spiritual successor to Diablo II. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if another open beta happens in a few weeks, hoping to pull-in Diablo fans who are unhappy with Diablo III and want something more nostalgic.

Check out Path of Exile and prepare for the upcoming open beta weekend by downloading their client from the game's website.