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 an excellent fighting game, with gameplay that is as accessible as it is deep, and a unique system that gives it personality. Powered by the strength of a universe like League of Legends, there is little to criticise beyond the monetisation policies of being free to play, which disrupt natural progression.

Like many ambitious first entries in a new genre for a studio, it shows flashes of brilliance but also clear signs that it still needs refinement. The tag-team combat and stylish reinterpretation of League of Legends champions create exciting moments, especially when players coordinate assists and extended combos in intense 2v2 battles. Yet pacing issues and some rough edges keep it from reaching its full potential.

2XKO arrives on the market with a clear proposition: to introduce a more accessible team-based fighting game without sacrificing competitive depth. By eliminating traditional motion inputs and adopting a simplified system as standard, in addition to being free-to-play, the title reduces barriers to entry and invites new players to experience the genre. At the same time, mechanics such as the different types of Fuse, the emphasis on the 2v2 format, and advanced training tools show that there is real room for technical evolution and a high level of competitiveness.

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.

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.

So, is 2XKO worth playing? If you're into competitive fighters and don’t mind a free-to-play model with some heavy-handed monetization, then yes. This is a solid, well-built brawler. But without singleplayer content and with key characters locked behind paywalls, it leaves casual players out in the cold.

For all its simplified inputs and friendly onboarding, 2XKO may fail to convert those who already harbour skepticism toward fighting games, or indeed toward League of Legends itself. [Issue#421, p.108]