Riot Games has officially released its fighting game and it is exactly what we expected, but also less than we wished for

Fighting games are one of the most particular genres of video games. They are undoubtedly niche, but they are treated as if they were still mainstream. Everyone wants them to appeal to the general public, but at the same time, they get furious if they are not basically esports designed to have high-level competitions around them. And in this constant contradiction of having to be treated like sports, but wanting to open up to the general public, is where they exist: never managing to break out of the big titles that have already attracted an audience for decades. Riot Games seems to want to be the one […]

Fighting games are one of the most unique genres in video gaming. They are undoubtedly niche, but they are treated as if they are still mainstream. Everyone wants them to appeal to the general public, but at the same time, they get furious if they are not basically esports designed to have high-level competitions around them. And in this constant contradiction of having to be treated like sports, but wanting to reach the public, is where they exist: never managing to break out of the big titles that have already attracted an audience for decades.

Riot Games seems to want to be the one to break this idea. To create a fighting game that is not only competitive but also introduces new players to the genre. And for that, it has the necessary keys. Characters with whom we already have a prior relationship, a competitive structure, and the money to make the game treated as a sport from the start. But is that enough for 2XKO to succeed?

A game that has a long history

Until we reached where we are today, with the game being launched, many things had to happen. To begin with, it had to be announced. That happened in 2019 and it was done under the name of Project L. Riot did not want to provide more details about what was happening with the game, except that it was being developed by its studios in Los Angeles, Sydney, and San Francisco.

For years, that was all we knew. At least, until February 22, 2024, when we learned two new things: that it would be a 2 vs. 2 game, where we can switch between characters at any time, and that its name would be much more alluring in English than in any other language: 2XKO.

Since its announcement until today, many things have happened. To begin with, the game was launched in early access in a closed beta by invitation on October 7, 2025. Harvesting great success among casual and specialized audiences, it managed to become the buzz of fighting games for a few weeks. So much so that, by the end of the year, it was nominated for the Best Fighting Game category at The Games Awards 2025 despite not having been officially released. An award that was ultimately won by Tekken 8.

Now 2XKO is officially out for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S with a roster of 13 characters from famous characters of Runeterra, the universe of League of Legends, and the impressions are clear: there is potential for something big here.

The first reason is that Riot is behind it. They have money and they are going to use it, not by organizing the tournaments themselves, but by helping established tournament and competition organizers to create their own 2XKO competitions. This ensures that an organic competition for the game is created. Especially considering that Riot has already stated that it is not their intention to create a professional league for the game, as they did at one time with some of their other games, such as League of Legends.

The second reason is that it is a relatively accessible game. Although the tutorials are quite questionable, the assistance systems are excellent and allow for casual play in an easy and effective way. Since we add to that the fact that the game is free-to-play and has characters that are familiar to a wide audience, 2XKO has real potential to become a game that captivates many people outside of fighting games.

So, what problems do we find? It falls short in everything it wants to do. Its monetization is the classic Riot model, with costly cosmetics. The depth of the game is noticeably lower than that of other games on the market, raising the question of whether the ceiling will be too low to really interest professional fighting game players. And the jump from playing with assistance to playing without it is very harsh, and the tutorials do not help in this regard, not addressing the biggest concern that fighting games have: making players feel comfortable making the leap from novice to intermediate level.

Are these problems enough for 2XKO to fail? Only time will tell. Especially since they are conditional: we still don’t know how serious they are compared to how they appear on paper. What is clear is that, for now, it is a game with a potentially thriving competitive scene thanks to the money it will generate and a casual audience that can engage due to the ease of picking up the controller and feeling good playing with their favorite characters, even without knowing anything about fighting games. So, just for that reason, what is certain is that 2XKO will have a spectacular launch.

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2XKO is a two-player fighting game that offers a unique competitive experience by combining combat mechanics with iconic characters from League of Legends. This title allows players to form teams of two and face off in intense battles, using special abilities and strategies to outsmart their opponents. Gameplay focuses on cooperation and coordination among team members, adding a layer of tactical depth to the fights.

Capcom reaffirms: bringing back Okami is the right decision

Capcom has confirmed that it has always considered the possibility of creating a sequel to Okami, one of its most unique and valued intellectual properties. Yoshiaki Hirabayashi, the company’s producer, explained that the interest in reviving the franchise is due to the strong base of dissatisfied players and the uniqueness of its narrative. “We were always looking for the opportunity to create a new Okami,” Hirabayashi stated during an interview with IGN. The series, although critically acclaimed, has faced sales difficulties over the years. Despite its success in critical reception, Capcom […]

The series, although critically acclaimed, has faced sales difficulties over the years. Despite its success in critical reception, Capcom considered it a commercial failure after the initial release, which led to the closure of the original developer, Clover Studio. However, Okami continues to capture the attention of new players, resulting in a steady flow of interest in the game. “It’s a very, very unique IP,” Hirabayashi stated, noting that “we see that there has been a steady flow of people enjoying the game.”

The original creator of the franchise agrees with the idea of bringing it back

What adds a degree of excitement to this news is the reaffirmation by Hideki Kamiya, director of the game and founder of the new Clover studio, who stated that he has always longed to create a sequel, arguing that “the story itself is not really complete.” The recent revelation of the sequel at The Game Awards has generated expectations about the new direction the franchise will take.

In addition to Okami, Capcom has shown a renewed interest in reactivating other inactive franchises, such as Onimusha, suggesting a commitment from the company to its classic IPs. With the recent announcement of a remaster of Onimusha 2 and new trailers at major events, it seems that fans have reasons to be hopeful for the future of other legendary franchises.

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OKAMI HD / Ōkami Zekkēiban is full version software for Windows, which is part of the 'Adventure' category.

“The Finals” presents its final version at the Games Awards… and its release date

The Finals presents its final version at the Games Awards… and its release date, accompanied by information about its release

The throne of online shooters is one everyone aspires to. Fortnite is the king, Call of Duty is the emperor, and Destiny is that unruly prince with followers as faithful as they are incomprehensible. This makes challenging their crowns extremely complex. They are well-established, with a very defined audience, and competing with them is a challenge few can meet. However, Embark Studios have decided that if anyone can do it, it’s precisely them.

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Embark Studios, a subsidiary of Nexon comprised of former Battlefield developers, has launched their first game, The Finals, following The Games Awards conference. It’s a hero shooter that just debuted its first season and promises something unprecedented in gaming: complete destructibility of the environment.

In development since 2019 and with several open betas, the game has left a strong impression on everyone who has had the chance to play it, ourselves included. With fast-paced, squad-based action where players choose from different character classes with various equipment options, the game perfectly blends chaos, tactics, and fun. It achieves something rarely seen in other online shooters: being enjoyable even when on the losing side.

Set within a sort of televised program where we form part of a team of three aiming to steal the most money possible from a series of targets while three other teams attempt the same, the game is brimming with personality. Inspired by classics like The Fugitive, as well as more modern works like Squid Game, The Hunger Games, or grand spectacles like Formula 1 or Eurovision, everything in The Finals carries that sense of urgency, spectacle, and, let’s not deceive ourselves, a charmingly kitschy touch. It’s what makes it absolutely fascinating.

The Finals is available right now for free on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC via Steam. So, if you’re on the lookout for a new shooter to dedicate your hours to, Embark Studios has crafted plenty of buildings to demolish and safes to loot just for you.

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Exoborne is an extraction shooter that offers us a dream: to fight in the midst of a hurricane

Exoborne is an extraction shooter that offers us a dream: fighting in the middle of a hurricane in a world with a completely devastated climate

Climate change is something that increasingly occupies our minds. It’s undeniable, pressing, and despite many people not wanting to believe it, it’s something we must tackle, or else face increasingly severe consequences. That’s why it’s logical for video games to become more committed to this idea, incorporating it into the medium in one way or another. The latest game to do so was announced during The Game Awards.

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Exoborne is a game developed by Sharkmob, a studio founded in 2017 by a group of individuals with experience in game development, such as in titles like The Division. With a team of around 400 people, their goal is to make Exoborne a tactical open-world AAA extraction shooter running on the new Unreal 5 engine. It boasts a unique feature we’ve discussed before—it unfolds in a peculiar post-apocalyptic world.

In the world of Exoborne, humanity faces the possibility of a global collapse. Following the failure of their last great hope, Project Rebirth, the world becomes a hostile place, both due to the climate and the survivors. Everything unfolds in a region in the southeast of the United States, completely devastated by natural forces, where we’ll have to complete missions and confront threats—natural and human—that surpass those in any other classic shooter. The possibility of ending up in a shootout amidst a hurricane or while fleeing a tornado won’t be far-fetched at all.

Players will take on the role of the Reborn, survivors of the catastrophic event equipped with implants that allow them to utilize Exo-Rigs—cybernetic skeletons enabling them to confront the relentless forces of nature. This will be crucial because in Exoborne, there’s no leveling up or skill progression: our power will solely rely on the equipment we possess. Additionally, we’ll lose part of our gear each time we die.

With no release date yet but confirmed for PC and consoles, Exoborne promises to revolutionize extraction shooters. Placing emphasis on item crafting and weather changes, the game aims to establish itself as the next must-play shooter, focusing on innovative gameplay dynamics you can’t afford to miss.

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