2XKO Alpha Playtest Feedback Seriously Considered

2XKO's Alpha Lab Playtest has only been live for 4 days, and it has already garnered a wealth of feedback. Discover how 2XKO plans to refine its gameplay in response to player input.

2XKO to Refine Gameplay Based on Playtest Feedback

Players Call for Tamed Combos and Enhanced Tutorial Mode

Shaun Rivera, the director of 2XKO, recently announced on Twitter (X) that the team is actively adjusting the upcoming fighting game based on the feedback collected during the Alpha Lab Playtest.

Thanks to the game's connection to the League of Legends universe, it attracted a significant player base. These players shared their experiences online, showcasing some overwhelming combos that many consider unfair.

"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 shared in his tweet. Players indeed found ways to exploit the system, executing endless combos that could juggle opponents indefinitely. Coupled with the tag mechanic, these combos could stretch on excessively, leaving opponents helpless.

While Rivera praised these combos for their creativity, he also stressed that "super long periods of low-to-zero agency are undesirable."

Players can look forward to a reduction in the frequency of Touch of Death (TOD) or instant kill combos that could KO an opponent from full health. The developers aim to keep the game fast-paced and explosive while ensuring matches remain balanced and engaging.

Rivera noted that some existing combos leading to TODs were anticipated. However, the team is diligently analyzing gameplay data and listening to player feedback to address these issues. He emphasized that TODs should be rare and require substantial skill and resources to execute.

In addition to concerns about excessive combos, 2XKO's Tutorial Mode has also faced scrutiny. While the game is easy to pick up, mastering its complexities is a different story. The lack of skill-based matchmaking during the playtest has highlighted this issue, often matching novices against experienced players.

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

Rivera responded to the feedback, stating, "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 committed to enhancing 2XKO, as demonstrated by a recent Reddit post where a tutorial team member sought player feedback on improving the game’s Tutorial Mode. Suggestions from players include adopting a tutorial structure similar to 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 thoroughly 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 60,425 during the first day of the playtest.

Although 2XKO is still in its closed alpha phase with no confirmed release date, its impressive Twitch viewership and the abundance of player feedback indicate great potential and a growing, passionate community.

Interested in trying out 2XKO’s Alpha Lab Playtest? Check out the article below to learn how to register!