Scott Pilgrim EX Review: A Short, Sweet, and Satisfying Beat 'em Up Revival

Against the odds, the beloved—and long-delisted—2010 beat 'em up Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game not only returned in 2021 but has now spawned a full-fledged sequel. Scott Pilgrim EX, released March 3, 2026, reunites the original creative trifecta of Tribute Games, creator Bryan Lee O’Malley, and the chiptune-rock maestros Anamanaguchi. Fueled by the renewed cultural fire of the Scott Pilgrim Takes Off Netflix series, this revival poses a critical question: does it successfully blend potent nostalgia with modern game design, or does it stumble on its quest through Toronto?

A Canonical Continuation with a Standalone Heart

Scott Pilgrim EX immediately distinguishes itself from a simple rehash by presenting a brand-new, official story. Penned by Bryan Lee O’Malley himself with additional writing from Takes Off co-creator BenDavid Grabinski, the narrative is designed as a direct follow-up to the events of the 2023 Netflix series. This gives the game a unique position in the franchise canon, offering fans a genuine continuation of the story they recently revisited.

However, you don’t need a flowchart of Scott Pilgrim lore to jump in. The narrative is largely self-contained, functioning as a standalone adventure where Scott, Ramona, and the former Evil Exes must band together against a new, mysterious threat. It’s a clever premise that justifies the expanded roster and delivers plenty of franchise fan-service. It’s worth noting, however, that some critics found the in-game dialogue to be “awkwardly wooden” at times—a minor narrative stumble in an otherwise fun and fitting script that captures the series’ quirky tone, even if it doesn’t always reach the heights of its source material.

From Linear Levels to Toronto 20XX: A Bold New Structure

The most radical departure from the 2010 original is its fundamental structure. Gone are the strictly linear, level-by-level stages. In their place is “Toronto 20XX,” a semi-open, interconnected world map that evokes the classic design of NES gem River City Ransom. This is no mere aesthetic change; it transforms the experience from a straightforward brawler into a light action-adventure.

The city feels more like a cohesive, lived-in place. You can explore streets, duck into shops, discover hidden areas, and tackle objectives in a less rigid order. This design encourages curiosity and gives the world a tangible sense of place beyond being a series of enemy-filled backdrops. Yet, this new approach introduces the game’s most consistent criticism: excessive backtracking. Progress is often gated behind fetch-quests that require crisscrossing the map multiple times. What begins as enjoyable exploration can, in the later hours, feel like artificial padding to extend the playtime, a noticeable blemish on an otherwise refreshing redesign.

Combat, Characters, and Co-op: The Core Strengths

Where Scott Pilgrim EX shines brightest is in its exhilarating, chaotic, and deeply satisfying combat. The foundation will feel familiar to veterans: fluid movement, crowd-controlling throws, and snappy combos. Tribute Games has expertly expanded this toolkit with new charge attacks and a special energy meter, adding a welcome layer of strategic depth. Knowing when to unleash a powered-up heavy attack or save meter for a screen-clearing special move becomes key to mastering the fray.

The single biggest selling point and source of replayability is the roster. All seven characters—Scott, Ramona, and the five former Evil Exes—are fully playable from the start, each with a completely unique moveset, abilities, and animations. Playing as knife-wielding Kim Pine feels fundamentally different from controlling the psychic-powered Matthew Patel or the bass-slamming Todd Ingram. This variety is phenomenal and incentivizes multiple playthroughs.

And those playthroughs are best experienced with friends. Scott Pilgrim EX features excellent local and online co-op for up to four players. This is the ideal way to experience the game, transforming organized combat into glorious, chaotic fun. The light RPG systems—leveling up stats, equipping items for bonuses, and buying food from shops to restore health—add a rewarding sense of progression that perfectly complements the core brawling.

The Audiovisual Love Letter & The Value Proposition

From its first pixel to its last power chord, Scott Pilgrim EX is a sensory delight. The vibrant 16-bit pixel art is a masterclass in the style, bursting with personality, fluid animation, and countless subtle references to both the franchise and retro gaming classics. It is, however, utterly surpassed by the triumphant return of Anamanaguchi’s soundtrack. The chiptune-rock anthems are nothing short of iconic, driving the action with an infectious energy that is arguably worth the price of admission alone. This is a game you’ll listen to long after you’ve put the controller down.

This leads to the inevitable question of value. A skilled player can blast through the main story in under 5 hours. The fetch-quest backtracking can stretch this, but the core experience is undeniably short. Yet, this is countered by the game’s design: with seven unique characters, each offering a slightly different story outcome and gameplay experience, total playtime can easily extend beyond 20 hours for completionists. Priced at $30, it adopts a quality-over-quantity approach. For players seeking a deep, replayable brawler to master alone or with friends, the asking price is justified by the superb combat and character variety, even if the campaign's pacing falters. There’s a noted lack of post-game “hooks” or endless modes, so your engagement will depend entirely on your appetite for replaying with different characters and the irreplaceable joy of co-op chaos.

Scott Pilgrim EX is a lovingly crafted victory for its fans and a robust invitation for newcomers. It successfully modernizes the classic beat 'em up formula with a great new interconnected world and deep, rewarding combat. While its shortcomings—the pacing issues born of backtracking and a concise main narrative—are real, they feel like minor blemishes on an otherwise excellent package. This is a game that understands its legacy, honors it with impeccable style and sound, and delivers a concentrated, satisfying dose of fun, especially when shared on the couch with friends. It’s a short, sweet trip to Toronto 20XX that’s well worth taking.

Tags: Scott Pilgrim, Beat 'em Up, Video Game Review, Tribute Games, Co-op Games