Riot Games’ League of Legends-based fighter, 2XKO, kicks off its early access phase on October 8. Launching on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, the game was initially dubbed 'LoL-ken' by fans, but given its 2v2 tag-team mechanics, it feels far more akin to BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle.

This title marks a bold new venture for Riot Games, expanding their League of Legends IP into the fighting game genre for the very first time. For the average LoL fan, the real thrill lies in finally taking direct control of those champions you’ve spent years watching from a distance, pulling off their iconic abilities manually. Let’s dive in and see what 2XKO is actually made of.

At its heart, this is a 2v2 tag-team affair. You can either juggle two champions solo or team up with a mate for a cooperative 2-player experience. The tag system relies on two pillars: Assists, which function much like The King of Fighters where your partner jumps in to land a hit, and Handshake Tags, which allow you to swap your active fighter.

The 'Fuse System' is the real game-changer here, letting you tweak your team’s synergy. You pick your Fuse before the match starts: Double Down (shared super attacks), Freestyle (double Handshake Tags), 2X Assist (boosted assist actions), and more options like First (assist KO) or Tank (a buffed solo fighter) are all on the table.

Controls are refreshingly straightforward, revolving around three attack buttons: L (Light), M (Medium), and H (Heavy), with hits classified by high, mid, and low properties. Champion-specific special moves are mapped to S1 and S2. Defensive options include back-dashing, parrying (←+H), and throw escapes.

If you’re a newcomer to the genre, don’t panic—there’s an auto-combo system. Toggling 'Auto-Combo' in the selection screen lets you unleash flashy sequences just by mashing buttons. The standard bread-and-butter combo usually follows an L→M→H→S1→S2 sequence, finished off with a 'T' input to bring your assist partner into the fray.

As mentioned, the roster features iconic League of Legends champions, reimagined for a 2D plane. The early access launch roster includes 10 fighters: Ahri (a nimble mage), Braum (the muscle-bound protector), Darius (the relentless juggernaut), Ekko (a tricky assassin), Illaoi (a heavy-hitting brawler), Jinx (the chaotic marksman), Vi (a punchy boxer), Yasuo (a mid-range swordsman), Blitzcrank, and Teemo.

The movesets are clever reinterpretations of their original kits. Ahri uses 'Orb of Deception' and 'Fox-Fire' to maintain her elusive, magical playstyle, while Yasuo blends 'Wind Wall' and 'Last Breath' to dominate with blade and gale.

Darius continues his mid-range tyranny with 'Decimate' and 'Noxian Guillotine', while Ekko utilizes time-bending gadgets like 'Chronobreak' to keep opponents guessing. Braum is all about utility, using his shield and poros to set up 'Concussive Blows' or 'Glacial Fissure' to lock down the field. Illaoi remains an absolute menace, using her idols and 'Tentacle Smash' to exert pressure.

Jinx is your go-to for area control, using 'Fishbones' and 'Super Mega Death Rocket' to unleash chaotic, long-range fire. Vi brings the heat with a six-hit combo chain and the sheer impact of her 'Vault Breaker' and 'Ceaseless Force'.

Blitzcrank leans into his classic 'Rocket Grab' to drag foes into range for a brutal 'Power Fist'. Then there is Teemo, the Yordle scout from Bandle City, arriving just in time for early access. He’s tiny, can turn invisible by crouching for two seconds, and can even plant patches of grass that shroud him from view—expect some cheeky utility plays.

The visuals lean into a vibrant, cel-shaded aesthetic, reminiscent of Guilty Gear, BlazBlue, or DNF Duel. The stages and assets inherit the painterly, artistic flair found in League of Legends lore and the Arcane series. With rollback netcode to keep things snappy, players can dive into casual matches, ranked play, tutorials, and training modes. A free battle pass will offer cosmetics like skins and chromas to spice up your look.

2XKO enters early access on October 8 and is free-to-play. On PC, you can jump in via the official website or the dedicated Riot Games client.