Scott Pilgrim EX - Not so random review - Vol.5
Format: PlayStation 5 (Reviewed) Also on PC, Nintendo Switch 1 & 2, PlayStation 4, Xbox One & Xbox Series X/S
Publisher: Tribute Games
Developer: Tribute Games
Release year: 2026
Genre: Scrolling Beat'em up
Randomised Gaming looked at the PlayStation 5 release of Scott Pilgrim EX for this review. I did approach Tribute Games for a review copy, which they kindly provided.
This is the written version of our editor's video review, with a few minor additions, which you can watch below.
After the original Scott Pilgrim game was delisted and the feature film underperformed badly at the box office. It did seem like we wouldn't see the Comic Book Canadian again in any other media. But with the film becoming a bit of a cult hit, and Ubisoft finally listening to the mountain of fans asking for a reissue of the game, that was set to change.
Scott Pilgrim did return to consoles in 2021, but something was missing. Aside from the fact Knives is actually locked to a Ubisoft account in the newer re-release, which sucks. There was no additional content added, making it a straight port of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 game.
Why? I hear you ask! Well, that's because many of the key developers behind it, had since left Ubisoft to form the studio Tribute Games. Who weren't involved at all in the re-release.
With Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, a new animated series by Netflix in 2023. It was time for Scott to once again return to the world of video games and fittingly, Tribute Games are the one behind this sequel.
In 2026 Scott Pilgrim is well and truly back!
A few years back, I did a retrospective review of the original Scott Pilgrim game after it turned ten years old, here on the channel. It's worth having a watch as this sequel builds on many of the themes of the original and many of my predictions in that video, I wanted to see for a sequel have come true in Scott Pilgrim EX.
Now, since Tribute Games formed, they have gone on to work on a whole raft of 2D sprite-based titles. Highlights from their library include Mercenary Kings, Flinthook and Panzer Paladin. However, that's not all, as in 2022 they developed one of the best modern scrolling beat'em ups in the form of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge and last year also saw their release of Marvel Cosmic Invasion, another excellent addition to the scrolling beat'em up genre.
Tribute Games have truly mastered making games in the genre, so it was only right, they developed this sequel. Alongside many of the original developers, artists and animators of the first game. Bryan Lee O'Malley returns to advise and Anamanaguchi are back on music duty.
From the moment Scott Pilgrim EX starts, it's clear this is both bigger and bolder than Scott Pilgrim versus The World. Starting with a fully animated opening intro and while a few fans may miss the pixel art look of the original intro. I will say, I really like the look of this new one, as it reminds me so much of the 1980s cartoons you used to get.
A still from the hugely colourful attract intro for the game.
Now, EX follows the alternative timeline seen in the Scott Pilgrim Takes Off series. So Scott is no longer at odds with Romona's ex-boyfriends. After starting the game, we get a scene very reminiscent of many an 80s & 90s arcade game. With our hero Scott watching as all his friends are kidnapped by a Metal version of himself. Who is a clear homage, of course, to Metal Sonic, from the Sonic the Hedgehog games.
Then it's off to pick a player character and start the fight back. Scott & Romona both return as playable characters, but with most of the original cast having to be rescued in-game this time around. The rest of the team is made up of Roxie Richter, Robot-01, Matthew Patel, Lucas Lee and the big baddie Gideon Graves.
The seven playable characters featured in the game, I suspect more will be added via DLC.
This sequel features a whole new move set for each character, it also offers more different play styles, over the original. Featuring better throwing and air juggling systems. Making the characters feel less of a carbon copy of one another, as they did in the first game. Scott is the classic brawler style, Lucas is more a grappler due to his size, while Gideon and Roxie use swords in combat and Robot-01 is a blast to play with all his over the top moves.
The minute you step out into the first stage, you can feel that beautiful Tribute Games pixel artwork on the screen. The quality is a big step up over the first game, showing the years of experience the team have making games now. It also uses plenty of bright and bold colours to bring the game to life, something that was a standard in 80s and 90s arcade games to make them stand out, in dimly lit amusement arcades.
Each stage is full of so many subtle touches, you can spend all day looking at them, from reactive NPCs, to all the wildlife running around. It touches like this that many modern games often miss, and it just adds a level of class and polish to the game, that you rarely see these days. A few times after clearing a section, I would sit around just to watch the animation of the different animals as it's just so well done and gives the game a special sense of character.
Spot the cat enjoying a roof top nap.
While the original Scott Pilgrim game was more an arcade style scrolling beat'em up with a level up system. Scott Pilgrim EX draws from the open-world beat'em up genre that started with River City Ransom. So you are free to explore the streets of Toronto at your leisure. Want to grab some food and equipment before taking on the next boss, well the choice is yours as you wander the map.
Certain areas are restricted by the main story, which unlock as you progress through it and rescue your fellow bandmates. There's also a handy map too, that lets you navigate the streets of Toronto. It's quite a big map and shortcuts slowly become available as you progress through the game, making backtracking a bit faster and you will be backtracking a lot in this game, due to the nature of the design. It could have perhaps done with one or two more shortcuts routes, one to Case Vania in the later half of the game, was much needed, I felt.
One thing I will admit, having a fast travel system in New Game+ would have been really helpful, via say an unlockable assist character.
The stage design isn't as varied as the original game, as most of it takes place on city streets. There are a few alternative areas, such as the beach and ice age, seen early in the game. While there is a whole section dedicated to Konami's Castlevania series called Case Vania. The robot elevator is a fun, challenging battle, later in the game. While one boss fight is set in a black and white film noir, like an old 1930s cartoon and then there's the train boss battle. Which is a real breakaway from the rest of the game. Not mentioning all the hidden mini-games that homage Street Fighter II stages.
In fact, I could write a whole feature on all the homages that are in Scott Pilgrim EX. As the game makes countless nods to retro video games. That's on top of all the pop culture and Scott Pilgrim cameos. It's clear Tribute Gmaes are huge fans of SEGA, Nintendo, Capcom, Konami and Namco. With throwbacks to Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic CD, Super Mario Bros 3, Super Mario World, Castlevania, Pac-Man, Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara, Ghosts 'n Goblins, Street Fighter II, Darkstalkers, Resident Evil 4, Secret of Monkey Island 2, The Legend of Zelda, Double Dragon and many many more.
This mini-games looks very familiar!
Each map section, also features different events on them. One time, you might find yourself fighting robots; next time, the vegans may be there instead. The clue is in the name of the scene when you enter it, as the instance for each stage changes every time you enter and exit it. Harder scenes for each section unlock as the game goes on and if it says Quiet Place, you'll get a version with bonus items and maybe a friendly NPC to talk with.
Visually, the game is just spot on in all areas. My only real criticism, is that I just wish there was more of it. A few areas also under use their unique styles; the noir section for example, only has one boss scene, that ends all too quickly and there is no reason to return either.
The train section is great, but again it's only one scene!
Scott Pilgrim EX delivers on the combat as well. Tribute Games have really become modern-day masters of the genre and EX addresses the pacing flaws with the original games. This time around, player characters have access to all their moves from the start and nothing needs to be unlocked.
While unlocking moves is a nice idea in practice, the original game was set up, so you likely wouldn't unlock your character's best moves until after you had finished the game. Which was a bit of a downer.
Another issue with the original was the speed of combat, which started off far too slow, making those early stages a real slog with new characters. Whereas EX feels much faster from the get-go and equipping accessory allows you to boost your stats even over your maximum stat growth.
You'll be shopping both for new equipment and upgrades. Every shop keeper has their own special look. In another game this one would be saying "What you buying stranger!"
Map sections are also quick fire bouts, ranging from five to fifteen enemies normally and for the most part, you can just dash through them if you don't want to stop and fight the gang there.
Combat really does hit the right note in all areas, hit collision, range and power. It's just spot on, this includes the X and Y plains when you are just above and below opponents.
The new throwing setup is also far better than the first game, allowing you to throw just about every enemy in the game to mix up your fighting style. However, a few enemies are immune to it and some large foes need to be weakened first if you aren't Lucas Lee, so keep that in mind.
Defensive wise, you can choose to block incoming attacks or parry even them. That said, I rarely use block and parry myself and preferred on the whole to try and dodge attacks. Largely due to the fast-paced nature of the game and the fact, that health is very easy to restore, either via shopping, assist attacks, or even getting lucky with a dice roll.
Speaking of assists, this time around, you get a choice of assist characters to help you, which can be changed via the in-game menu at any time. So long as you have enough GP points to summon them. Some buff your character stats temporarily, while others damage enemies. You can also unlock even more as you progress through the story.
Highlights include Young Neil, causing a full screen fan stampede that damages everything it hits and is great for dishing out major damage to bosses. It also reminds me of a certain super attack from Tron Bonne in Marvel vs Capcom 2. I'll also admit to spamming the healing ability of the Katayanagi Twins, an awful lot. Ramona's cat assist is a fun one to watch, but isn't that strong.
Young Neil's assist is full of cameos Servbot, Raccoon Mario and Cape Mario are just three of the game ones in this image. Another is also a nod to the character Inspector Gadget.
With fifteen assist characters in total, there is plenty to choose from and far more than the original game. It's just a shame Mr Chau, the sword fighting father of Knives doesn't return, his only cameo is as a background NPC this time around.
As for the music, Anamanaguchi have certainly gone for a slightly different tone and feel for Scott Pilgrim EX. A few of the tracks in the original game were a bit hard on the ears, however, there were some good tracks also. Certainly the later boss ones, really injected some energy into the fights.
EX's music is quite a bit more mellow, in part, this is due to the gameplay change from arcade style single stages to an open-world. Which means you will be hearing many songs on repeat, certainly for locations you frequently visit. It's also fair to say Anamanaguchi have also had over a decade to refine their music style as well, since the previous game. It certainly shows, as the music is a mix of subtle background tunes and more action-packed themes for the boss fights.
There's certainly a different feel to the music and while I would have liked one or two more high-energy tracks for some of the more intense moments. It supports the game perfectly and I really enjoyed listening to it. I've even got it on in the background, as I write this script. It really starts on a high with the character selection screen music being one of my favourite tracks. Capturing the mood of the battle ahead perfectly.
Everything comes together to create an excellent experience. The story takes you over the whole map fairly rapidly as you rescue the members of Scott's band. The story itself is broken down into different missions, against the various gangs in the game and usually ends with a boss fight. The dialogue is fast and pacey and it changes pending on the player character.
Having played a number of the modern River City games in recent years included the first River City Girls and River City: Rival Showdown. I'm going to say, I find them both a bit too grindy in how they play and actually preferred Scott Pilgrim EX in almost every way.
Evey boss fight is just packed with animation.
As the pacing of the open-world gameplay, is just so much better in Scott Pilgrim EX. It only really suffers against them when it comes to the length. Other than seeing the different endings for each character. There isn't much reason to play New Game+ unless you want all the achievements or trophies. There is no hidden character like Negative Scott to unlock either this time around, Metal Scott seemed like the perfect fit, but alas, no.
The first one featured a few multiplayer versus mini-games and they're absent here as well. Which is a real pity as it's a quick feature I would have liked to have seen again.
In fact, a lot of the bonus fights, mini-games and events are really cool little gaming homages, but often very short and don't offer much in the way of reward. With most either granting you money or upgrade items, the latter of which, become useless once you have a max stat character and they don't convert to bonus cash either, if you are maxed out.
As a former games staffer myself, I did feel that the very last sections of both this and Marvel Cosmic Invasion felt a little bit rushed. I wondered if there was too much overlap with both games being developed around the same time.
As an example, the last quest in Scott Pilgrim EX has you collecting some items, that might be a nod to another series (not going to spoil which). This event take you to a room to fight a mob of standard gang enemies and feels like X boss fight, was cut out here. I kind of expected a rematch with the gang leaders or a new boss, but nope, just a bland old mob fight of all the same troops you've been fighting for the whole game. No giant Galactus fight in Marvel either, which was very disappointing.
A few of the latter boss fights also felt a little cut back. There wasn't anything on the scale of the giant robot seen in the first game and I was expecting at least one full size screen boss. Maybe it will be in the DLC? Likewise, a hidden boss fight against the older Scott & Romana characters from the TV show would have been a great idea. As it stands, the endgame is the weakest part of it, but overall I hugely enjoyed the whole playthrough.
Lucas Lee's size, gives him far better range over Scott.
As a long-time genre fan, I would say it doesn't do anything new, but it's a great addition to the genre. Certainly better than the first Scott Pilgrim game and weaker modern titles like Streets of Rage 4. Which, in that case, was more of a nostalgia grab with poor gameplay. I also enjoyed it a lot more than River City Girls, but it's not quite as good as some of the classic Konami and Capcom arcade titles or Tributes' own Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge. Fight'N Rage is also another great modern example worth playing, but relies a little too much on combos.
That said, both of them fall into the arcade style of the genre and not the open world side and there is a big difference between the two styles of scrolling beat'em ups. If you're new to open-world scrolling beat'em up and haven't played something like River City Ransom before (or Street Gangs as it got called on the NES in Europe), I would highly recommend Scott Pilgrim EX as a great starting point.
Four player support, is pretty much standard with scrolling beat'em up these days and the online mode is done in the same way as Tribute's previous games. Their net code is pretty decent, but will suffer if you connect to someone with a poor connection. I played a two player game online and I had no clear issues. The more players you have, the more chance of lag, however.
Billy and Jimmy Lee where are you?
As for the difficulty, I found it fairly easy myself playing through normal, due to my experience with the genre. I also made sure to regularly level up my character's stats as I played through the game. If you don't level up, you will find the later half of the game, gets quite a bit harder. I also found making use of the right assist characters, really was the difference between success and defeat. In truth, I think the difficulty really is ideal for newcomers of the genre and I think Tribute have pitched it about right.
All in all, I think Scott Pilgrim EX really is a standout game for 2026. Is it a perfect example of the genre, no, but it is a big step up from the first game. My biggest complaint is that it could be a touch longer and there is little in the way of end game content at present. So hopefully, we might see some extra modes and hidden fights, along with alternative routes in future, if we do get additional download content. I really did enjoy my time with it and the game did leave me wanting more of it, which is always a good sign.
I actually went out of my way to find all the secrets I could, even the hidden red turnip room, which I'll leave you to find, but buy the spring shoes first before you go looking for it.
How many of you have found this place yet?
This is definitely a recommend from me and while it isn't up there with Guardian Heroes or Capcom's Dungeon and Dragons games in terms of the very best of the genre. It might just be the best of the open-world scrolling beat'em ups I've played. This includes the excellent River City Renegade on SNES, which only recently got an English release.
Fans of Scott Pilgrim will love it and if you haven't played the original, I highly recommend both games. Even more so if you and a friend or three want a couch co-op game to keep you playing all evening. You can't go wrong with any of the scrolling beat'em ups Tribute have made over the last few years either.
Pros
+ Four Player Co-op and Online Support
+ Great world map to explore
+ Even better pixel artwork than the first game
+ Perfectly balanced scrolling beat'em up combat
+ Anamanaguchi music really is great stuff this time around
Cons
- Could be a little longer
- Not much in the way of end game content or reasons to replay
- No hidden character this time around to unlock
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