I'm so excited to jump back into the action (or experience it for the first time)! The highly anticipated 2v2 assist-based fighting game developers, 2XKO (formerly Project L), have dropped a bombshell of information in their latest development update video. They unveiled significant overhauls to the core gameplay based on community feedback and announced the next public playtest, Alpha Lab 2, and revealed the electrifying addition of Jinx from League of Legends to the champion roster!
For those eager to get their hands on the game, mark your calendars! Alpha Lab 2 will run from April 18th to April 20th, 2025. This is your chance to experience the refined gameplay and potentially try out some of the new mechanics and even the newest champion.
Here are the key details you need to know about the upcoming playtest:
- Dates: Friday, April 18th - Sunday, April 20th, 2025
- Platforms: Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S
- Regions: United States, Canada, and Brazil
The developers emphasized that Alpha Lab 2 will be a smaller-scale test compared to their initial plans. This decision was made to allow them to focus on the crucial "mountain of surrounding work" needed for a full launch, such as backend servers, matchmaking improvements, localization, and UI enhancements. They are still planning a larger playtest closer to the actual release.
But the update wasn't just about the playtest! Here's a breakdown of the major gameplay changes you can expect to see (and potentially test in April). You can find the full YouTube update here:
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Simplified and Consolidated Controls:
- Launchers & Anti-Airs: Down-heavy is now the universal launcher with anti-air properties.
- Overheads: Standardized to down-forward medium.
- Sweeps: Standardized to down-forward heavy.
- Assists: Team button for forward assist, back + team for back assist.
- Tag Launcher: Down + team.
- Charge/Running Assists: Removed (except for the "Sidekick" fuse).
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Super Input Overhaul: Supers (S1 & S2) now use any normal button + special button, replacing the down-down input for easier execution. Ultimates (S1 + S2) now cost three super bars.
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"Happy Birthday" Fixes: Reduced global hit pause and adjusted counter-hit hit pause to prevent combo drops when hitting both opponents. Assists now enter after the point character's hit.
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Parry Improvement: No more accidental follow-up parries after a successful physical parry.
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New "Fuses" - Game-Changing Mechanics:
- Pulse: Toggleable in character select for easy combo and super execution via mashing.
- Sidekick: Focus on support play. Point character doesn't switch, assist can perform charge assists and tandem supers. Point character gets health/defense boosts at low health. Assist can use "combo softener" to reduce incoming damage.
- Juggernaut: Solo champion focus. Starts with two meters, health/defense boosts at low health, self Double Downs (super into super/ultimate) possible, and a unique "eject" mechanic to force out the opponent's point character.
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Combo Evolution:
- Limit Strike: Bonus effects (damage, meter) for ending combos with specific reactions.
- Meter & Damage Decoupling: Meter gain is now independent of damage, allowing for strategic combo choices.
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Enhanced Defensive Options: More knockdown recovery options (forward/back rolls), get-up attacks now break armor.
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Assist Speed Adjustment: Slightly reduced call-in speed for more counterplay.
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Push Block Rework: No longer costs meter, activated by pressing the team button while blocking (or push assist by the actual assist character).
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Air Tech Improvement: Automatic air tech with the option to hold down to escape juggles.
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OTG (Off-the-Ground) Update: Weak OTG hits now grant standard knockdown options.
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"Dead Assist" Mechanic: KO'd characters can still perform assists and super assists (with a cooldown).
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Super Jump Variations: Hold forward, back, or down during a super jump to slightly alter trajectory.
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Visual Clarity Enhancements: Increased character collision size, centralized assist cooldown timer, slowed down wall bounce animations.
Finally, the reveal of Jinx from League of Legends sent waves of excitement through the community. Known for her chaotic energy and arsenal of unique weapons, Jinx's inclusion promises to bring a dynamic and unpredictable playstyle to 2XKO. While her specific moveset wasn't detailed, her presence alone adds significant hype.
This 2XKO development update is packed with information that players have been eagerly awaiting. The announcement of the Alpha Lab 2 dates and the reveal of Jinx are major highlights, coupled with the substantial gameplay refinements based on community feedback and I cant wait to play it!!!
