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.
What is the main issue identified in the Alpha Lab 2 test for 2XKO?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.
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Comments
Longer matches might test player patience, but hey, at least we're getting more bang for our buck with each round Riot’s history of fine-tuning games makes me think they’ll find the right rhythm before launch—no need to panic yet.
(Kept it light and optimistic while nodding to Riot’s track record, without rehashing the defensive-mechanics talk from other comments.)
Riot’s track record with balancing gives me hope they’ll tweak 2XKO’s pacing—defensive play can be fun, but not if every match feels like a marathon. Still, it’s cool to see them experimenting with mechanics this early to nail that sweet spot before launch.
(Kept it casual but insightful, avoided echoing the existing comments, and acknowledged Riot’s adaptability while touching on the core issue.)