2XKO Alpha Playtest Feedback Taken into Serious Consideration

The 2XKO Alpha Lab Playtest, which has been live for just four days, has already generated a significant amount of feedback from the gaming community. Here's how 2XKO plans to address the concerns raised by players.

2XKO to Refine Gameplay Based on Playtest Feedback

Players Call for Tamed Combos and Enhanced Tutorial Mode

2XKO's director, Shaun Rivera, took to Twitter (X) to announce that the team is actively making adjustments to the upcoming fighting game based on the feedback gathered during the ongoing Alpha Lab Playtest. Given the game's League of Legends IP, it attracted a large and diverse player base, who have shared their insights and clips online, highlighting some devastating combos that many consider overly powerful.

"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 stated in his tweet. The feedback revealed that players were able to execute endless combos, often using the tag mechanic to juggle opponents for extended periods, leaving them with little to no control.

While Rivera praised these combos as "really creative," he also acknowledged that "super long periods of low-to-zero agency are undesirable."

One of the key changes players can expect is a reduction in the frequency of Touch of Death (TOD) or instant kill combos, which can knock out an opponent from full health. The developers aim to maintain the game's fast-paced and explosive nature while ensuring matches remain balanced and engaging. Rivera noted that some of the existing combos leading to TODs were "expected," but emphasized that the team is analyzing gameplay data and player feedback 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, 2XKO's Tutorial Mode has also received criticism. While the game is relatively easy to pick up, mastering its complexities is a different story. The lack of skill-based matchmaking during the playtest has made this more challenging, often pitting newcomers against seasoned players.

Professional fighting game player Christopher "NYChrisG" described 2XKO as "not meant for everyone," pointing to its complex six-button input system and gameplay that is as intricate as, if not more than, titles like Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, and BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle.

Acknowledging the feedback, Rivera wrote, "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 developers are actively seeking to enhance 2XKO, as evidenced by a recent Reddit post where a tutorial team member solicited player feedback on improving the game's Tutorial Mode. Players have responded with suggestions such as adopting a tutorial structure similar to Guilty Gear Strive and Street Fighter 6, offering 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. Professional players like 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.

Currently in closed alpha with no confirmed release date, 2XKO still has rough edges to smooth out. However, the game's strong Twitch viewership and the wealth of player feedback indicate great potential and a passionate community forming around it.

Want to get a taste of 2XKO's Alpha Lab Playtest? Check out the article below to learn how to register!