Narrative Designer: Yannick Belzil
Level Designer: Vincent Laforest
Programmer: Francois Masse
Technical Director: Jean-Francois Major
Audio Lead: Pat Tremblay
Developer: Tribute Games Inc.
Publisher: Tribute Games Inc.
Platforms: PC [reviewed on – AMD 9800X3D, Radeon 9070XT, 64GB DDR5 RAM, Steam Deck], Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: 03/03/2026
I have been a long-time fan of the Scott Pilgrim franchise, first being introduced to it through the movie in 2010. I quickly became hooked and ended up purchasing the entire graphic novel series. I also picked up Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and the subsequent Limited Run Games special edition. Given this history, it was a safe bet that I would be excited about Scott Pilgrim EX.
Scott Pilgrim EX has been a highly enjoyable experience for me. This latest game has made strides in both gameplay and storytelling. The fast-paced movements, several improvements, and vibrant animations enhance the overall gameplay. The storyline is intriguing and fits perfectly into the quirky, enchanting world of Scott Pilgrim. The game is designed as a side-scrolling beat ’em up, like titles like Streets of Rage, Marvel’s Cosmic Invasion, and TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge.
In the year 20XX, Toronto is now dominated by three rival gangs: the Vegans, the Robots, and the Demons. Scott Pilgrim wakes up to discover that his friends and bandmates have been kidnapped by mysterious forces, prompting him to prepare for another big adventure. Throughout his journey, Scott encounters and defeats a variety of bosses, inspired by the memorable enemies he and Ramona face, as well as some new ones.
This game represents a significant improvement over previous Scott Pilgrim titles. It features beautiful pixel art design that complements an amazing 8-bit soundtrack. The old-school aesthetic cleverly masks the fluid, fast-paced, and enjoyable gameplay. Scott and several other playable characters perform exceptionally well, each boasting a unique combat style and move set. Not only does this game look fantastic, but it also runs smoothly. Throughout my six hours of gameplay, I encountered no broken frames, even in more demanding areas filled with enemies and items. This performance extends to the Steam Deck, although it hasn’t been officially verified yet.
This game offers a rich background with detailed features, including individual stats for each character, gear, special attacks, and power-ups. These can be viewed and managed in the inventory menu. The full stats and additional information are accessible through the main menu, which also includes quests, maps, and move lists. All these menus can be accessed at any time during gameplay.
There are a variety of special attacks that can be unlocked by finding and rescuing Scott’s friends. Combat is executed through quick, heavy, special, and throw attacks; players can also perform combos, defend, and utilise objects. Some objects, such as shells and balls, can be thrown, bounced back, or rolled back and forth on the screen, allowing for creative and often sneaky attacks.
The combat in this game is well-designed, reminiscent of other beat-em-up games, and is fast-paced and intense. Each character has unique combat styles and combos, with some characters excelling in balanced abilities while others specialise in quick or heavy attacks. There are seven characters available to play, and although I primarily played as Scott, I tried each character and found Scott to be my favourite.
One of my favourite aspects of the Scott Pilgrim universe and games is the soundtracks. These soundtracks were created by the amazing artist Anamanaguchi, known for their energetic 8-bit mixes. Their music is described as hyper-melodic rock, and I have had one of their tracks set as my phone ringtone and alarm tones since the release of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World. I hope that this soundtrack will be available for purchase later, as it is closely linked to my enjoyment of the game. The music is beautifully crafted and complements the in-game scenes exceptionally well. It gains vigour and pace when the game requires it, yet serves as a lovely background during the slower-paced moments.
One of my Favourite songs from Anamanguchi
Although I haven’t had the chance to experience it yet, Scott Pilgrim features a drop-in, drop-out multiplayer mode that allows up to three additional players to join. This can be done either locally or online, making it a great addition for when friends visit.
My experience with Scott Pilgrim EX has been fantastic. The gameplay is amazing, the soundtrack is beautiful, and the story is engaging. I plan to replay it many more times. It will also be added to my game night lineup with friends due to its easy-to-learn and fun nature.
(Review code provided to Explosion Network.
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