Back in college, I tried my hand at the rising MOBA League of Legends. I wasn’t great, but the game thrived and grew into a massive franchise with spinoffs, a card game, and even the hit Netflix series Arcane. Now, Riot Games has stepped into the fighting game genre with 2XKO, a free-to-play tag fighter set in the League of Legends universe. After registering late, I was lucky enough to get into the closed beta. With over 50 matches under my belt, here are my thoughts on the 2XKO closed beta. Keep in mind—this is an early build, so the final version may differ.

Gameplay

2XKO needed to nail one thing above all else: the fighting mechanics. Many licensed fighters struggle here, but 2XKO seems to know exactly what fans of the genre want. At its core, it’s a 2D tag team battler with assists, assist specials, and escapes. One twist I liked: even if one character is KO’d, their tag abilities remain available. It’s an interesting change of pace, though it won’t always save you—many of my matches ended in defeat because I misused tags or specials under pressure.

The Fuse system adds another layer. Similar to perk systems in other fighters, Fuses provide benefits with trade-offs. “Fury” grants bonus damage when your health is low, “Double Down” combines both characters’ ultimates into one devastating move, and “Juggernaut” disables one character entirely to power up the other. These options add strategy, particularly for newcomers, while giving veterans tools to experiment with team synergy.

I also appreciated how 2XKO handles ultimate attacks. They’re simple to input, flashy, and easy to use, but still punishable if mistimed. This balance makes the game approachable while leaving room for mastery. I can already envision competitive players discovering powerful team comps and counterplay strategies as the game evolves.

Graphics

Visually, 2XKO is striking. Its cel-shaded, anime-inspired art style captures the energy of League of Legends while standing strong as a fighting game. Arenas are colorful, detailed, and full of personality. The closed beta also showcased a hub lobby with avatars and arcade-style cabinets where players could queue for matches or spectate. While avatar customization is limited for now, the lobby concept gives the game a fun, community-driven arcade feel.

Sound

Sound design can make or break a fighter. Thankfully, 2XKO delivers. Hits feel weighty, whiffs sound sharp, and specials have impact. Playing with headphones made every clash feel immersive. The voice acting and music also impressed me—characters are fully voiced, and the soundtrack kept me energized without needing to swap in my own playlist. It’s clear Riot invested effort into audio design.

Overall Impression

For a closed beta, 2XKO feels remarkably polished. Riot’s decision to include referral codes, multiple modes, and a robust test environment shows they’re serious about building a community. While the roster is small for now, the mechanics and presentation show huge potential. With post-launch support and balance updates, 2XKO could stand alongside heavyweights like Street Fighter and Tekken.

Conclusion

2XKO has all the right tools to succeed: fun mechanics, a striking art style, and strong sound design. Still, it faces challenges. Free-to-play games can be a gamble, and balance patches will make or break its competitive scene. But based on my time with the closed beta, 2XKO is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting new fighters in years. The only question left is: who will be my main team when the full game launches?

—Aaron