Scott Pilgrim EX Review

It has been two decades since Scott Pilgrim first picked up a bass guitar to fight for love, and in that time, his precious little life has leveled up across every medium imaginable. From the iconic panels of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novels to Edgar Wright’s cult-classic film, Ubisoft’s pixelated brawler, and Netflix’s surprising anime, Toronto’s favorite low-stat hero has become a permanent fixture of pop culture.

And I’m probably alone in this, but my first contact with the franchise ever was actually Ubisoft’s Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game, long before I knew it originated from comic books or that a movie even existed.

It was love at first sight, much like what happened between Scott and Ramona. I became obsessed with everything about it – from the character designs and the absurd League of Evil Exes plot to its chaotic beat ‘em up spirit. Nothing about that title made sense, and that was its main charm: plain and simple fun, serving as a love letter to video games in general!

So yes, I only discovered one of my favorite franchises because I stumbled upon the game at a heavy discount in the depths of the PS Store. So, imagine my excitement when, out of nowhere, a sequel was announced under the title Scott Pilgrim EX. Even better, it was placed in the hands of Tribute Games, currently one of the best studios in the genre, responsible for modern gems like Marvel Cosmic Invasion and TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge.

And I found myself completely obsessed all over again! Scott Pilgrim EX isn't just a nostalgic callback, but a massive leap forward from the original title, refining the classic formula while pushing the boundaries of what a modern beat 'em up can be.

Blessed Be the Chaotic Plot

From the very first minute to the more than 10 hours I spent playing Scott Pilgrim EX, I truly felt that this game was a cozy, warm embrace to our inner nerd.

It manages to deliver that feeling by presenting an insanely crazy story that perfectly blends the Scott Pilgrim universe with that chaotic nature that we all expect from the beat ‘em up genre.

Written by O’Malley himself, which pretty much means it is canon, the plot takes place in a futuristic Toronto that has suddenly been taken over by three weird gangs: demons, robots, and vegans – and, of course, none of that makes any sense on purpose. And, for reasons yet unknown, these bad guys decided to kidnap almost every member of the iconic Sex Bob-omb, leaving it up to Scott and Ramona to save them.

Scott Pilgrim EX isn't just a nostalgic callback, but a massive leap forward from the original title, refining the classic formula while pushing the boundaries of what a modern beat 'em up can be.

But there is also a very interesting twist to that. For some reason yet unknown again, some of the former members of the League of Evil Exes want to help, which is why we see fan-favorite characters like Lucas Lee and Roxie Richter finally become playable in Scott Pilgrim EX. Oh, and here’s a funny detail: Todd Ingram is not playable, since having multiple timelines and superpowers is completely normal, but having a vegan against another vegan is simply historically inaccurate, and the game respects that!

That kind of detail is something that appears in the story and the dialogues all the way, making the entire game completely unexpected.

For instance, you can stumble on some 4th-breaking wall moments, such as Young Neil forgetting his lines or Wallace saying he visited the future to read a walkthrough of the game to quickly reach the final chapter, or even direct references to other Scott Pilgrim stories. I mean, if you don’t laugh at identifying quotes taken directly from the live-action film – “He punched the highlights out of her hair!” – or seeing Julie’s lines get censored due to her high level of profanity, you are dead inside.

Jokes aside, the story is extremely on point by being remarkably simple and, at the same time, having crazy elements that only make sense (or not, and maybe that is why we love it) in the Scott Pilgrim universe, like having gaps to different eras, like the Ice Age or a medieval castle.

And that is our cue to finally start talking about its scenarios that are pretty well-built – mainly due to its level design, of course –, having a charming, colorful animation, and countless easter eggs scattered around. These references are not only taken from its own franchise (although identifying Wallace's apartment in the background of the scene is a true special moment), but also from other iconic games, such as having an area called Casa Vania, a boss that looks a lot like Lady Maria from Bloodborne (this one was my favorite), and many others.

All of this is wrapped in a pixel-art aesthetic that overflows with nostalgia, featuring top-tier animations and environmental details that perfectly nail its 2D vibe. It truly manages to keep this futuristic (and weird, of course) version of Toronto feeling colorful and vibrantly alive. And the whole experience is further intensified by a soundtrack by the incredible Anamanaguchi that (unlike the first game) never feels repetitive, constantly shifting styles to match each specific area and boss encounter.

So every corner of Toronto is packed with surprises! And this happens not only on the narrative and visual side, but also in terms of gameplay.

Across Time, Space, and Hit-Buttons

With this plot setup, your goal is to roam the streets of Toronto, taking down every demon, robot, and vegan in sight while searching for clues about your missing friends. However, this is where Scott Pilgrim EX sets itself apart: instead of having a linear structure just like the first title, it prefers to present an expanding map, which requires some backtracking to progress.

This non-linear structure is a very interesting twist on the formula, since it keeps things engaging (by not limiting your way of making progress) and gives a more dynamic flow to the game. That perfectly combines with what we, as players, usually expect from a beat ‘em up title – that chaotic feeling while playing, like having a possibility of getting beaten by a regular enemy or making him drop some boss loot.

Before we jump into enemies and bosses, it is also important to highlight how the overall level design is enriched by excellent world-building (after all, the stages unfold across time and space, leaving plenty of room for narrative and gameplay shifts) and varied quests, ranging from collecting coins within a time limit to defeating enemies using only volleyballs.

This non-linear structure is a very interesting twist on the formula, since it keeps things engaging (by not limiting your way of making progress) and gives a more dynamic flow to the game.

Now, the enemies are also varied – at least as much as possible when talking about vegans, demons, and robots. What truly stands out are the bosses, as they have distinct attack patterns that take advantage of the 2D gameplay to mess with you, forcing you to dodge, think fast, and also try to get the most out of every character and every move.

That’s because each playable character has unique abilities, and they play out quite differently from one another. Since Scott and Ramona are the returning veterans, attention naturally shifts to the newcomers: the Evil Exes. And yes, they are just as fun as they look! Their skills are perfectly tailored to their personalities and reflect what we have seen of them throughout the Scott Pilgrim franchise.

For instance, Roxie is able to perform diagonal strikes thanks to her powerful katanas, while Matthew Patel can summon some pretty demonic attacks. However, Lucas Lee is the real standout because he is much larger than the other characters, which increases his hitbox and delivers the most distinct gameplay of the bunch. Plus, of course, he pulls off some incredibly stylish skateboard attacks.

Oh, and another cool detail linked to the roster is that each character interacts with the world differently, triggering unique dialogue for them and even an exclusive ending, since the game has seven different outcomes for the story that depend on which fighter you played the most. So that, combined with the addictive and fun gameplay, significantly boosts the title’s replayability.

However, when it comes to replayability, it is worth noting that you cannot skip animations or dialogue even after finishing the game, which may hinder the flow of repeat playthroughs.

Each playable character has unique abilities, and they play out quite differently from one another. Since Scott and Ramona are the returning veterans, attention naturally shifts to the newcomers: the Evil Exes.

Finally, when it comes to the cooperative experience, Scott Pilgrim EX is already a modern classic beat ‘em up. Since the characters have unique abilities, combining them results in some honest-to-goodness, incredibly fun fighting. You can even party up with other players at any time, even mid-stage, which might lead some gamers to do exactly what I did in the past: discover this amazing franchise for the first time through the game.

Closing Comments

In Scott Pilgrim EX, you can truly feel the care that the developers at Tribute Games poured into every character, scenario, enemy, and boss. It is a sequel that respects its roots while remaining unafraid to evolve, representing a massive leap forward compared to the first title. It perfectly blends everything a high-quality beat ‘em up needs with the franchise’s signature nerdy humor. It is an unexpected and extremely fun way to expand Bryan Lee O’Malley’s universe, being literally impossible not to laugh throughout the journey or to have a blast with its nonsensical plots and over-the-top bosses. Ultimately, it is the perfect kind of beat ‘em up for a pizza night with friends – and this one even comes with a bit of extra spice to make things even more interesting. The only major downside is that its main story is too short, and I finished it wanting even more!