2XKO enters beta: Riot’s new fighting game blends League charm with esports potential.
On September 9, 2025, the closed beta of 2XKO launched – Riot’s first major entry into the fighting game genre. This 2-versus-2 tag-team game is currently available only on PC and is aimed at selected players who have registered or participated in the alpha phases.
Riot is using the beta not only for technical testing but also to gather extensive feedback on gameplay, balance, and features. More players will be gradually invited to the beta, and registration is still open via the official website. The game will be free-to-play and is planned to be available not only on PC but also on consoles in the future.
After Valorant And League Of Legends: Now Comes 2XKO
The game was first announced back in 2019, then known as “Project L.” It has been in development for six years, and some players were already able to try it out at events in 2024. However, during the first public test in August 2024, issues arose showing the game was not yet well balanced. As a result, the initially planned release was postponed.
Now Riot has announced the closed beta, and the fighting game community is hyped again!
Fighting Duos With Depth
At the core of the game is the dynamic teamwork between two champions, between whom players can switch at any time during fights. This is supported by the so-called Fuse system: a mechanic where both fighters are active on screen simultaneously to perform especially spectacular combos. Unlike classic fighting games, the partner is not just a passive helper but an integral part of the gameplay.
The result is a fast, responsive combat system with great tactical depth, yet accessible enough that even beginners can quickly enjoy success.
The closed beta features a total of nine champions. The default roster includes Ahri, Braum, Darius, Ekko, Illaoi, and Yasuo. Additionally, Jinx, Blitzcrank, and Vi can be unlocked – either with Champion Tokens earned by completing the “First Fight” tutorial or with Credits gained through missions.
Each champion has a distinct and clearly felt playstyle: Ekko can rewind time, Illaoi controls the battlefield with tentacles, Yasuo shines with aggressive swordplay, while Ahri relies on mobility and ranged attacks. New in this phase are Blitzcrank, the powerful steam golem with a grabbing arm, and Vi, who applies pressure with explosive melee strikes.
More Than Just Fighting: What’s In The Beta
Besides the core fighting experience, the beta brings many new features. The Champion Mastery system allows players to unlock cosmetic rewards for each character – such as player cards, stickers, titles, chromas, and special taunts. While all progress will be reset at the end of the beta, active participants will receive an exclusive title at launch as a keepsake.
Riot also introduces offline modes for local tournaments, new tutorials including Fuse explanations, a replay system to analyze past fights, and a redesigned user interface with direct access to training and online modes. Technically, 2XKO uses modern tech like rollback netcode to ensure smooth online fights – even if the internet connection isn’t perfect – because the game automatically compensates for small delays.
Riot Breathes New Life Into The Genre
Gameplay has also been significantly improved compared to earlier test phases. Fights are faster, more direct, and reward offensive playstyles. Defensive options like blocking or dodging have been toned down, while combos can now deal more damage. At the same time, comeback potential has been increased to keep matches exciting until the very end.
With a clear focus on teamwork, easy entry, deep combat mechanics, and technical stability, 2XKO could become one of the big fighting games of the year.
Riot once again shows how serious they are about shaking up a new genre – just as they did before with Valorant in the shooter space. Whether you’re a League fan, a fighting game veteran, or a newcomer, anyone who gets a chance to play the beta will get an exciting glimpse of what could make 2XKO a potential esports hit.