Hands-On with Riot’s 2XKO: Closed Beta First Impressions

Guess who got into the Riot 2XKO Closed Beta? Yep, I’ll be grinding this one for a while. Riot’s first big fighting game project has been on my radar for years, and finally jumping into it feels surreal.

As someone who grew up in the arcade era and later stuck with titles like Street Fighter and Tekken, the first few matches of 2XKO already gave me plenty to talk about.

No Motion Inputs in a Fighting Game?

One of the boldest decisions Riot made with 2XKO is removing traditional motion inputs.

• No quarter circles.
• No “Z” inputs.
• No muscle memory grinds to land a Shoryuken (rising dragon punch).

At first, I’ll admit, it felt weird. I’ve spent years perfecting my Shoryukens and Supers. But after a few rounds, I could see why Riot went this route: accessibility.

By simplifying the controls, Riot is clearly opening the door for newcomers to fighting games. Beginners won’t be overwhelmed by inputs, and veterans can focus more on strategy and timing rather than finger gymnastics.

Still, part of me misses the satisfaction of nailing a perfect motion input.

The 2XKO Roster Feels Barebones (For Now)

Right now, the 2XKO character roster looks pretty thin. It’s obvious Riot is starting small, mainly pulling from recognizable Netflix's Arcane champions.

It makes sense: Jinx, Vi and Ekko are fan favorites and help anchor the game for Arcane fans who might never have touched a fighter before (or perhaps even video games).

But here’s the thing: League of Legends (LoL) has over 160 champions. Can you imagine the select screen once Riot really starts expanding? Even if they only adapt 20–30 fighters, that’s already a dream lineup for both LoL and Fighting Game Community (FGC) fans.

Nostalgia Hits: The New Fighting Game Lobby System

One of my favorite surprises? The lobby system.

Instead of just staring at menus, 2XKO gives you a little social hub to walk around in, queue up for matches, and feel that old-school arcade vibe again.

It reminded me of the good old days when I’d spend afternoons at the local arcade, watching matches while waiting for my turn on the cabinet. Riot clearly understands that community and social energy are part of what makes fighting games special.

Yasuo Is My Day One Main

Let’s talk mains. For me, it’s Yasuo.

The fluid swordplay, the flashy combos, and the sheer style all click with me. Plus, I can’t resist that blue and red alternate color scheme. Every time I see it, I know that’s going to be my default look.

It feels great to find a character I can immediately identify with. And I’m sure the 2XKO player base will have similar “this is me” moments as more champs get added.

Is Riot’s 2XKO Worth Playing?

Right now, 2XKO feels like Riot is testing the waters, getting the fundamentals right before going all in on content.

If you’re a hardcore fighting game veteran, the lack of motion inputs might feel like training wheels. But if you’re new to the genre or a LoL fan curious about fighters, this is hands-down one of the most beginner-friendly fighting games to try.

And recently, they just added Ranked Game Mode. The FGC will definitely start grinding the game now.

Final Verdict

The Riot 2XKO Closed Beta is shaping up to be something special. While it’s still early and the content is thin, the foundations are solid. The accessibility-first design, nostalgic lobby system, and familiar characters all point to Riot carving out a real place in the fighting game community.

• ✅Easy-to-learn controls (great for beginners).
• ✅Smooth lobby system with arcade nostalgia.
• ✅Riot’s polish and production values are already showing.
• ❌Barebones roster (for now).
• ❌Lack of motion inputs may turn off some FGC veterans.

I’ll be here grinding matches and waiting to see how Riot grows the roster. If you’re curious about 2XKO, keep it on your radar; it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on.