By now, you all know Scott Pilgrim to a degree, whether through its wonderful comic books or the superb 2010 movie. However, we’ve also had the opportunity to don this hero’s sneakers in the gaming world, and the latest to deliver one of the most faithful and addictive experiences is Scott Pilgrim EX. This installment captures everything that has made the series so magical and iconic. It elevates it by bringing that beat ’em up greatness that Tribute Games has built since the Shredder’s Revenge days to the most recent Marvel Cosmic Invasion.
If You Want Something Bad, You Have To Fight for It
No, this isn’t a story where Scott has to face Ramona’s seven exes (again). Instead, Ramona calls some of her exes for backup, because most members of Sex Bob-omb have been kidnapped. On top of that, as soon as you take your first step outside the band’s location, the other rival factions—Vegans, Robots, and Demons—are out to get you. And if that wasn’t a big enough conundrum, players have to find the others in a Toronto full of space-time rifts.
As you can see, Scott and the gang are in for some busy and chaotic times, which isn’t just about beating some vegans senseless. There are portals involved, several challenging bosses, and a lot of exploration to do.
Overall, the story is very straightforward: rescue your friends and solve the obstacles that stand in your way, such as boss fights. However, what makes it interesting is the worldbuilding around Toronto and the narrative’s fidelity to its source material, while also sprinkling several original elements into this installment.
Compared to other beat ’em ups made by Tribute Games, I’d say this is the one that really hooked me in terms of its story, and it is all thanks to how alive everything feels in the streets of 20XX Toronto. From the several stores you can enter to the many NPCs that interact with you and the streets littered with things you can use to defeat a few demons, it is a true love letter to Scott Pilgrim fans.
We Are Here To Watch Scott Kick Their Teeth In
If it isn’t clear yet, Scott Pilgrim EX is a beat ’em up, and its gameplay is similar to MARVEL Cosmic Invasion or any of the many titles of this genre that Tribute Games has worked on. Yet, after playing some of the most recent installments from the aforementioned studio, Scott Pilgrim EX feels like one of the most in-depth and polished entries, and it follows an interesting formula that I hope the developers continue using.
What definitely stands out most in the gameplay is that you can choose between seven characters with unique abilities, which you can also customize. By customization, I don’t just mean the color palettes available, which you can then get in a store. Your character also has Accessories, Badges, and Assists, which you can earn from challenges or by purchasing them. In my case, I chose gadgets for my build that would help me block attacks and earn more coins. One example is an accessory that nets you more Canadian Dollars, which just makes grinding for other things a walk in the park.
The game is fun, with clear missions and different universes to visit thanks to the space-time rifts. However, my favorite part is playing with up to four of my friends, who can join the game at any time. Having support makes it easier to complete some of the challenges and defeat the bosses, which also have their own mechanics.
Overall, when it comes to fleshed-out beat ’em ups that don’t stick to the same old arcade formula, Scott Pilgrim EX is certainly a standout. I wish more games would offer the worldbuilding of this installment, but also the combat depth and superb co-op mechanics. Tribute Games has found a way to marry an interesting, almost RPG-like exploration with its years of beat-’em-up expertise, making this my favorite game from this renowned studio.
The EXs Are A Pleasant Surprise
As someone whose journey in the Scott Pilgrim universe began with the movie, I never thought a video game would surpass my love for that live-action film. But beyond that, I never thought I’d become a beat ’em up fan, especially since I’ve always found some of them to lean toward the really challenging side. Scott Pilgrim EX is as approachable as it is challenging for veterans, and easily the most addictive beat ’em up I’ve played in a while.
As a fan only of the movie, I never thought Scott Pilgrim would team up with Ramona’s exes, but desperate situations call for desperate measures. So if my friends were kidnapped, of course, I would choose to join forces with people powerful enough to defeat demons and robots. But above all, the worst ones: vegans. Scott Pilgrim EX presents it as a fast-paced, fun fighting adventure with great music.
It may not be a memorable story, but the comic’s characters add a twist with their distinctive personalities, abilities, and humor, and of course, the banger soundtrack is there. Scott Pilgrim fans will have a feast, but beat ’em up enthusiasts will also have a blast with in-depth progression systems, unique playable characters, and all the fast-paced and impactful action you can expect from this legendary genre.
Scott Pilgrim EX (PC Reviewed)
Scott Pilgrim EX is an incredible adventure that perfectly captures the comic's Toronto setting through dynamic, action-packed gameplay for fans and newcomers alike.
Pros
- It adds great comic and movie references to world-building.
- Its gameplay is more casual and fast-paced, and it adds a layer of difficulty with builds.
Cons
- The story is straightforward and may result in it not standing out too much.
