2XKO

2XKO is, without a doubt, the best fighting game on the market right now. Not only does it look amazing with its cel-shaded animated style, but it also has that tag-fighter satisfaction that’s been sorely missed throughout the absence of the subgenre. And the best part about it all is that the game is completely free to play and enjoy, with everything you need to learn included.

2XKO is a fun arcade fighter and a great introduction to the genre for newcomers. The Fuse tag-team mechanics offer a fresh take on the existing formula and provide plenty of strategic depth, whether you’re playing alone or with a friend. Match and lobby creation is seamless, even when playing cross-platform. The free-to-play model doesn’t restrict access to major content. Everything can be unlocked by playing; it just takes longer to unlock characters this way. However, if you enjoy playing it as much as I do, spending time on it won’t be an issue. If you want to try out 2XKO, it’s available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

2XKO is a mature fighting game, approachable on the surface yet deep at its core, with solid online infrastructure and a clear competitive focus. It’s not perfect, but as Riot Games’ debut in the genre, it doesn’t disappoint.

2XKO is undeniably a very fun title with deep fighting mechanics and a unique personality. However, behind the frenetic fights and impressive production design lie the pitfalls of a free-to-play game, such as an aggressive monetization, and a lack of significant content in its first week.

Riot makes its console debut with 2XKO, kicking off Season 1 and the full release of its new fighting game. Predictably, the title adopts a standard live-service structure, featuring a Battle Pass, in-game currencies to unlock characters—provided you're willing to grind—and a cosmetic shop with rather steep prices. On the flip side, however, is a fighter with a rock-solid combat system and an excellent roster that makes every online match incredibly rewarding, thanks in part to its high-tier rollback netcode. The real question remains whether the game can attract and retain a large enough audience to sustain future updates. 2XKO falls into that 'easy to learn, hard to master' category—a trait that has historically alienated a significant portion of the casual player base.