Scott Pilgrim EX [REVIEW] – A Pixel-Perfect Punch-Up in Toronto 

It’s a genuine joy to see Scott Pilgrim back in the gaming space, especially given its rough history… you know… of having the original 2010 beat ’em up missing for so many years, despite begging and crying for so many years from those that loved it (I’m not making fun, I was one of them). It was a real treat to see it revived then, but to now receive a full-blown sequel – from the masterful team at Tribute Games, might I add – feels… well… special. 

Check out some screenshots down below: 

Scott Pilgrim EX picks up in a 20XX setting that sees Toronto invaded by a bizarre coalition of Vegans, Robots, and Demons, who have kindly kidnapped Sex Bob-omb right before a major gig. It’s the perfect, low-stakes excuse to bring nearly every character from the comic’s history back together, right? With old foes joining both Scott and Ramona on the adventure, it’ll certainly tick all of the right boxes for fans of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s wonderful graphic novel escapade. 

The most significant shake-up this time around comes with the game’s structure. Ditching the linear stages of the first game, Scott Pilgrim EX drops you into a semi-open map of Toronto, and taking a massive page from River City Ransom, you’ll be freely exploring suburbs, movie sets, shipping yards, beaches, and so forth, all whilst using all sorts of gadgets to uncover hidden routes and advance the plot. It’s almost like a Metroidvania in a way, albeit a bit easier going when it comes to finding out where you need to go next. 

At your disposal is a hefty roster of seven fighters, including Scott, Ramona, Lucas Lee, Roxie, and Matthew Patel, just to name a few. You can swap between them freely at Ramona’s flat, and they each boast unique move sets and bespoke endings that make changing things up feel worthwhile. Of course, most importantly, the core combat of the game is absolutely cracking, with it accessible and old-school but also satisfyingly deep. You’ve got standard light and heavy attacks, grabs, and parries, all of which link into delightfully crunchy combos, whilst smashing enemies into scenery and using screen-clearing assist characters never gets old. Every punch and kick carries a lovely sense of weight, making the moment-to-moment brawling a constant thrill, and the cherry on top? Everything is elevated by another legendary soundtrack from Anamanaguchi, whose chiptune beats deliver an energetic, catchy score that is easily on par with their iconic work from the original game. 

“Scott Pilgrim EX is exactly the sort of brilliant surprise fans of the franchise deserve.” 

It’s clear then that Scott Pilgrim EX has upped the ante across the board when it comes to game design, but it is worth noting that the deeper mechanics come with a catch. Your purchased gear and upgraded stats do not carry over between fighters, and because you need to spend Canadian dollars – dropped by defeated baddies – to buy healing items and stat boosts, you are heavily pushed towards picking one character and sticking with them for the whole run.  

There’s also the caveat that comes with the open-world exploration. Exploring an open city is a neat idea, but it leads to a lot of repetitive backtracking, and with no fast travel system, you will spend a fair chunk of time just running back through empty areas to get where you need to go. The checkpoint system is also surprisingly brutal, and if you die, you can lose a fair bit of progress. Having to redo a tough stretch of fights can be rough, and whilst I wouldn’t necessarily say that Scott Pilgrim EX is an incredibly difficult game, it does have an old-school challenge that will ensure you’re tested. 

Still, with a single run only taking you about four or five hours, the frustrations are limited. It’s a bit of a shame there are no extra modes to keep things fresh once the credits roll, but with every character having their own ending, there’s something rewarding to work towards. And, of course, there’s four-player multiplayer in the game, which is an absolute BLAST. Beat ‘em ups are always better enjoyed with friends, and Scott Pilgrim EX feels like the perfect example of that, with its chaotic showdowns with foes and open-world design being wonderful to share with three other friends squeezed on the sofa with you. Just no arguing over who gets to play as Ramona, ok? 

Check out some screenshots down below: 

The sheer charm of Scott Pilgrim EX helps ensure it never grows tiresome too, with the pixel art vibrant, packed with incredible background details, and filled to the brim with nods to classic 8-bit and 16-bit titles. It might not reinvent the wheel visually, sure, but it’s a gorgeous, nostalgic brawler that treats its source material with massive respect.  

Developer: Tribute Games 
Publisher: Tribute Games 
Platform(s): PC (Reviewed), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch 
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2640950/Scott_Pilgrim_EX/