After 6+ months, I find the game mediocre.

After many months, I think the game is far from release state. Farther than 6 months away. There are some glaring issues that should be implemented before an official "release" and the hype.
I am reviewing the game on the main stated focus of GGG: To grow player base.

First off, the game has outdated design elements from the Arcade era, namely gameplay extenders. It's lots of little things, such as loss of experience on death. (Kudos for adding the omen, however, the mechanic should have just been removed)

1. Trading System. The seasons are short 4 month blocks of economy and end up inflated anyway, why is there not in game trading in 2025? Why do I have to leave the game to play the game? This was barely acceptable for POE1, successful in game markets using gold as friction AND having excellent search have been around longer than POE1.

2. SSF isn't a great experience. One can play an entire season and never get great gear, either through a drop or crafting. (this might be fixed by an in game guide for crafting or new system additions, however, POE1 suffers heavily with system bloat, POE2 is quickly headed that way)

3. No real in game guide to explain the basics of crafting/juicing maps/towers, no example of strategy (no clues on how in depth it can be). No real clues on how to craft, it feels like random gambling to new people. (overall viewpoint)

4. MTX purchases that enabled access to EA are not in the game as promised. Of my POE1 MTX, not a single one is usable in POE2. Not one. Yes, I know they are otw, but not even one available? (Personal gripe, don't promise me something you don't have to, fulfill the promises you make)

5. Does Chaos Resist exist? Why does it only appear on gear at end game? Why do I have to completely redo my gear to include chaos resist instead of naturally building it with the other stats on my gear as I level? (ssf viewpoint)

6. Additional content for maps doesn't make maps more fun, making maps more fun makes maps more fun. Additional content does not add fun if the baseline isn't fun. A dog turd is a dog turd no matter how much powdered sugar you sprinkle on it. Maps are far too tedious feeling vs reward vs time spent. Note the "tedious". We are doing thousands of these. (overall veiwpoint)

7. 90-100 WTF. Why are these levels so stupid to level? Especially 95+ If you are going to have a stagnant endgame, at least give progression through leveling. Should be able to level to 100 with T15 maps. The rarity of getting T16 maps is the issue here. A slight adjustment so the player still "feels" progression while doing 19 lvl 15 maps to proc a single lvl 16. (ssf veiwpoint)

8. Speed: seems pretty good once you get +30% or higher boots.

9. Graphics: Overall ok.

10. Difficulty: Overall ok.

Some of these things are being worked on, I know. However, they are not currently in the game as I write this.