Meet in center duel game
Sidescroller where it scrolls left to right for one PC, and right to left for another PC. PVP based, sorta mini "rogue like" insofar as you collect more power along the way only for the player to be discarded at the end of match. Match-making based on lives remained alive. Swap map direction following match, immediately jump into next match. E.g start facing right, run to center, fight, victory, animation, turn to face left, health and items remain, match-made with level 2 person with appropriate facing.
How to save information about victory? Maybe battle scars or something visible on player profile
First person to center region gets to heal while waiting / meditate for overheal.
Street fighter style inputs. Unlock different types of attacks en route. If you just race to the center, you may have lots of life but limited special attacks. If you dawdle and collect everything, you risk your life total being lower for the "real" combat at the center, where the opponent has had time to rest
platforming / Nintendo Kung Fu style NPC combat. Players will have to balance how much they "creep farm" before rushing to center. Defeating another player may allow for item collection? might affect power balance too much