PC Critic Reviews

Scott Pilgrim EX is everything fans of the cult classic game could have hoped for, taking the concept and expanding it into something extraordinary.

The Scott Pilgrim universe has a naturally good vibe that captures the urban brawling and traversal of a River City brawler better than most of them. It’s a nonstop gauntlet of funny little refrerences and in-jokes, but it’s carried by such a solid cast, fun moves, and ridiculous fights that it’s easy to appreciate whether you know much about Scott Pilgrim or just want to punch goons.

Sixteen years after the original game, Scott Pilgrim EX builds upon what made the first one so great. From challenging and unique boss fights to a fun story that fits in the Scott Pilgrim universe, this is a game that's not only a love-letter to the source material, but does a great job of standing out on its own.

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.

Overall, I really enjoyed Scott Pilgrim EX and think that Tribute Games Inc. did an amazing job! It may not be the same team that developed the first game, but I hope that fans of the franchise enjoy it nonetheless. There’s mayhem, multiplayer, and a whole lot of enemies to brawl. I don’t have much to complain about, and the game genuinely surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. Typically, I don’t go for side scrolling beat ’em ups. This one takes that genre and does so much more with it.

While it could do a better job of explaining some of its mechanics, could be a little more complex in its combo-crafting, and doesn’t have the best keyboard controls, Scott Pilgrim EX is still an excellent beat-’em-up game set in the iconic comic book universe. Best enjoyed with friends, this game can still be played and appreciated solo, especially for die-hard fans of Scott Pilgrim.

Scott Pilgrim EX could have relied entirely on nostalgia but instead, it experiments. Not every experiment feels perfectly tuned. The segmented mission flow may divide purists, and the narrative plays within comfortable boundaries rather than pushing emotional stakes further. Yet these are measured risks in pursuit of evolution rather than stagnation. Scott Pilgrim EX stands as a confident sequel. It respects its legacy, sharpens its mechanics, and dares to expand its scope. For fans of cooperative brawlers and character-driven action games, it represents one of the more compelling genre entries in recent years.

Scott Pilgrim EX takes a beloved formula and boldly restructures it. The blend of interconnected exploration, refined brawling, and engaging RPG mechanics creates an experience that honors its roots while feeling distinctly modern.

Scott Pilgrim EX takes the beloved franchise into new pixelated heights, offering fans of the 2010 original a worthy sequel to jump into, Mario-style.

Scott Pilgrim EX takes everything that was great about the first game – the combat, the music, the beautiful pixel art – and throws it into an all-new adventure rammed with game references. The open-world structure and relatively short length won't be to everyone's tastes, but if those aren't a problem to you then it's a must-have.