The 2XKO Alpha Lab Playtest has been live for just four days, yet it has already garnered significant feedback from the gaming community. Here's how 2XKO plans to address these concerns and refine its gameplay to meet player expectations.
Players Call for Tamed Combos and Enhanced Tutorial Mode
Shaun Rivera, the director of 2XKO, recently took to Twitter(X) to share updates on adjustments being made to the upcoming fighting game, based on the feedback received during the Alpha Lab Playtest. The playtest, fueled by the game's connection to the League of Legends IP, attracted a substantial player base that provided extensive feedback and shared clips of powerful combos, which many felt were too overpowering.
"One of the reasons we were excited for a ton of folks to get early hands on in Alpha Lab along with ensuring a training mode was available was to see what ways players cracked things wide open," Rivera explained in his tweet. Players indeed found ways to exploit the system, creating endless combos that left opponents helpless. Rivera commended these creative combos but pointed out that "super long periods of low-to-zero agency are undesirable."
One of the key adjustments players can anticipate is a reduction in the frequency of Touch of Death (TOD) or instant kill combos, which can knock out an opponent from full health. While the developers are committed to preserving the game's fast-paced and explosive nature, they also aim to ensure that matches remain balanced and engaging.
Rivera acknowledged that the existence of some combos leading to TODs was "expected." However, he emphasized the team's dedication to analyzing player feedback and gameplay data to better understand and address the issue. He clarified that TODs should be exceptional outcomes, requiring significant skill and resources to execute.
In addition to concerns about excessive combos, the game's Tutorial Mode has also come under scrutiny. While 2XKO is relatively easy to pick up, mastering its intricacies poses a significant challenge. The lack of skill-based matchmaking during the playtest has further highlighted this issue, often resulting in matches between inexperienced players and seasoned veterans.
Professional fighting game player Christopher "NYChrisG" described 2XKO as "not meant for everyone," pointing out its complex six-button input system and gameplay that rivals or even exceeds the intricacy of titles like Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, and BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle.
Responding to this feedback, Rivera stated, "I have heard feedback that folks want to see a lot more from our Tutorial in order to more easily onboard players to the game. This version is a rough pass, so please expect it to improve significantly in the future." The development team is actively working to enhance 2XKO, as demonstrated by a recent Reddit post where a tutorial team member sought player feedback on improving the game's Tutorial Mode. Players have suggested adopting a tutorial structure similar to that of Guilty Gear Strive and Street Fighter 6, providing more in-depth training beyond basic combos, and introducing an advanced tutorial covering complex concepts like frame data.
2XKO Players Remain Enthusiastic Amidst Feedback
Despite these criticisms, many players are enjoying the fighting game. Pro player William "Leffen" Hjelte even streamed 19 hours straight of 2XKO. On Twitch, the game has attracted thousands of viewers, peaking at an impressive 60,425 during the first day of the playtest.
Although 2XKO is still in its closed alpha phase with no confirmed release date, the game's rough edges are being actively addressed. With its strong Twitch viewership and the wealth of player feedback, there's clear potential and a passionate community already forming around 2XKO.
Interested in experiencing the 2XKO Alpha Lab Playtest? Check out the article below to learn how to register!
