2XKO Alpha Playtest Feedback Taken into Serious Consideration

2XKO's Alpha Lab Playtest has been live for just four days, yet it has already garnered a significant amount of feedback. Here's how 2XKO plans to address these concerns and refine the game.

2XKO to Refine Gameplay Based on Playtest Feedback

Players Call for Tamed Combos and Enhanced Tutorial Mode

2XKO's director, Shaun Rivera, took to Twitter (X) to announce that the team is making adjustments to the upcoming fighting game based on player feedback from the ongoing Alpha Lab Playtest.

Given the game's connection to the League of Legends IP, the playtest attracted a large and diverse player base. These players provided feedback and shared clips online of some devastating combos, which many considered too 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 wrote in his tweet. Players indeed found ways to exploit the system, creating endless combos that left opponents with little to no control, especially when combined with the tag mechanic.

Rivera praised these combos as "really creative," but he also emphasized that "super long periods of low-to-zero agency are undesirable."

One of the key changes players can expect is a reduction in the frequency of Touch of Death (TOD) or instant kill combos that could KO an opponent from full health. While the developers aim to maintain the game's fast-paced and explosive nature, they also want to ensure matches remain balanced and engaging.

Rivera acknowledged that some of the currently existing combos leading to TODs were "expected." However, he emphasized that the team is listening to player feedback and analyzing gameplay data to better understand the issue. Rivera clarified that TODs should be exceptional outcomes requiring significant skill and resources to pull off.

Aside from concerns about excessive combos, 2XKO's Tutorial Mode has also drawn criticism. Players have noted that while the game is fairly easy to pick up, mastering its complexities presents a different challenge. The absence of skill-based matchmaking in the playtest has exacerbated this issue, often pitting inexperienced players against seasoned veterans.

Professional fighting game player Christopher "NYChrisG" even described 2XKO as "not meant for everyone," citing its complex six-button input system and gameplay reminiscent of, if not more intricate than, titles like Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, and BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle.

Acknowledging the criticism, Rivera wrote, "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 actively seeking to enhance 2XKO, as evidenced by a recent Reddit post where a tutorial team member solicited player feedback on improving the game's Tutorial Mode. Players have responded with suggestions such as adopting a tutorial structure similar to Guilty Gear Strive and Street Fighter 6, offering 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 enjoying the fighting game. Some pro fighting game players like William "Leffen" Hjelte even noted that he "streamed 19 hours straight of 2XKO." On Twitch, the game has amassed thousands of viewers, peaking at a staggering 60,425 during the first day of the playtest.

The game is still in closed alpha with no confirmed release date in sight. It undoubtedly has rough edges to iron out, but given its impressive Twitch viewership and the wealth of player feedback, there's a strong indication of great potential and a passionate community already forming around it.

Want to get a taste of 2XKO's Alpha Lab Playtest? Check out the article below to learn how to register!