With 2XKO, Riot ventures into a new genre that has existed for decades. MeinMMO editor Nikolas Hernes was initially skeptical, but after the closed beta, he is sure: this is going to be really good.
What kind of game is 2XKO? In 2019, Riot announced a fighting game set in the LoL universe. Back then, it was still called Project L. In February 2024, it was renamed 2XKO. After a long wait, players can finally play the game in a closed beta since September 2025. Prior to that, there were Alpha Lab Tests.
Although the first trailers convinced me, I was really skeptical after the long wait. There are few fighters, especially for a tag fighter, where you select multiple characters. The genre also made me skeptical. You are competing not only with classics like Marvel vs. Capcom, but also with games like Dragon Ball FighterZ or the upcoming Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls.
I was finally able to try the closed beta, and as a long-time LoL fan, I must say: this is really good, especially if Riot utilizes its potential.
Perfect for LoL fans
For LoL aficionados, the game is a dream. 2XKO has a cel-shading look, and the champions that are included have never looked so good. Blitzcrank is the best example. In LoL, he looks rather rudimentary; I would even say quite ugly. In 2XKO, he exudes a unique personality, thanks to the great animations.
In general, the champions you know are presented strongly. The graphics and animations transform abilities from LoL into real fighting game moves, and it works really well. As a long-time LoL player, I recognize some elements and am also happy to see the familiar champions in a beautiful design.
The selection is small, but still good. The characters play differently, and even in combat, they represent their LoL character. However, Riot should release new characters early to maintain variation and create many combinations.
Despite the few stages in the beta, I liked them. Different parts of Runeterra (the world of LoL) are showcased and develop a unique atmosphere. At the same time, they are designed so subtly that you are not distracted in combat.
But even for non-LoL fans, the game can be worthwhile, especially if you want a good introduction to fighting games.
2XKO is a good entry for beginners
2XKO can also convince in gameplay. 2XKO is a tag fighter, so you pick 2 characters, with one always on the field. You can either switch in the others or call them as an assist. They perform a move that helps you in combat and combos.
Otherwise, you can fight with multiple buttons, and if you want, there’s even an auto-combo feature. If you press a single button multiple times, a combo is created.
Overall, 2XKO is suitable for beginners who want to try the genre or have only known LoL so far. The auto-combo is useful but not too strong, and even with little experience, you can experiment with assists and combos. This quickly creates a rewarding feeling. However, if you want to delve more into the game, there is also a lot to learn.
Since the game has recently entered closed beta, there are many beginners in the lobbies, so you won’t be constantly overwhelmed as a beginner. Some characters have annoying mechanics; currently, Yasuo is a bit too strong, but I almost always had fun in my matches, even when I lost.
On September 18, the ranked mode was also released, which gradually brings players with high skills together. However, 2XKO has a strong foundation that Riot needs to build upon.
2XKO could become a major title in the genre if Riot gets everything right
Riot must build on the closed beta. The closed beta shows: 2XKO is a good game, it is fun, and beginners can enjoy it as well. But as a multiplayer title that is meant to be supported long-term, several things need to follow:
- Regularly new characters must be introduced, but they shouldn’t break the game by being too strong.
- Balancing is a difficult topic in fighting games. You need to find a good balance between buffs and nerfs to keep the meta healthy.
- As a free-to-play title, the monetization must also be right. If it’s hard to get new characters, that harms the overall mood, especially if new characters are strong.
However, Riot knows how to support service games thanks to their other titles. If that goes well, they will be able to catch players and have a long-term title that can also exist alongside genre kings like Street Fighter or Tekken. A different fighting game unfortunately couldn’t manage that: The next service game of an industry giant fails and goes offline forever in May
