2XKO Alpha Test Raises Concerns: Game's Speed Is a Red Flag

The recent Alpha Lab 2 test for 2XKO, a highly anticipated fighting game from Riot Games, has raised concerns among players regarding the game's pace. While players enjoyed the test, the shift towards defensive gameplay has led to noticeably slower matches. The introduction of defensive mechanics and shorter combo lengths has resulted in longer game durations, with tournaments seeing timeouts become a common occurrence. For instance, a recent grand finale match lasted around 47 minutes, highlighting potential pacing issues in competitive play. Despite this feedback, there is optimism about future adjustments as Riot Games has shown a willingness to adapt player concerns. With the game expected to appear at Evo 2025, there remains hope for fine-tuning before the official release.

The main issue identified is that matches in Alpha Lab 2 have become significantly slower due to the introduction of defensive mechanics, leading to longer gameplay durations and frequent timeouts in competitive settings.

2XKO, also known as Project L, is designed to innovate within the fighting game genre. Riot Games aims to make it more accessible to newcomers while retaining depth for experienced players. As seen in past tests, the balance between aggression and defense is crucial to ensure an engaging competitive experience, making the feedback from Alpha Lab 2 particularly important for its development ahead of its full launch.