GAME REVIEW | "Scott Pilgrim EX" a True Nostalgic Renegade
It’s wild to think that Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World — both the game and the movie based on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s comic — is over 15 years old! I still have fond memories of going to the movies to see it on opening weekend, as well as playing the classic arcade beat ‘em up throwback on the PlayStation 3. One can argue that, thanks to the recent Netflix series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, there’s still a big demand for this Canadian fable. So it gives me great pleasure to report that Tribute Games’s Scott Pilgrim EX not only feeds that demand, but also acts as a loving nod to arcade games of the past.
Scott Pilgrim EX is a sequel to Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, which in itself was a pseudo-sequel to the movie. Sex Bob-omb is jamming out in Stephen Stills’s house, when Metal Scott arrives to harm Scott and kidnap the other band members. It leads them all around Toronto, as they try to figure out who is behind Metal Scott, and why they are causing chaos all around the city. Along the way, Scott, Ramona, and the rest of the gang reacquaint themselves with some evil exes, some of whom have decided to join them in the fight against Metal Scott.
Just as it was in Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, this follow-up takes the form of a beat ‘em up, but not in a Simpsons Arcade sort of way. Instead, the Kunio-kun series serves as the main inspiration behind Scott Pilgrim EX’s level layout and gameplay mechanics. Players can roam all around Toronto freely, as they knock the crap out of robots, demons, and — the worst people on the planet — vegans. With the Loonies they earn throughout their adventure, the team can add new buffs and debuffs, wear some snazzier clothes, or nab some upgrades that better your fighting skills.
Gameplay-wise, this game plays exactly as a follow-up to Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World should. Everything feels familiar, yet amplified. The character attacks look great, the specials are more bombastic, and the assists actually feel special whenever you pull them off. While it’s sometimes hard to judge distances between your characters and the enemies (which, let’s be real, was also hard to do in older games), taking down hoards of villains gives off enough of a challenge without feeling super difficult. The same can be said about the boss fights, which feature old favorites and some unique choices for the Scott Pilgrim lore.
With that being said, Scott Pilgrim EX was a game MADE for multiplayer. Although it’s not impossible to beat the game solo, it’s sure as hell frustrating to try to do it. With at least one buddy on hand, taking on the big world of Toronto is a lot more satisfying to do. Thankfully, even if you don’t have friends and are as big of a loser as Matthew Patel, you can at least allow your game to go public and snag some strangers to take on the epic quest.
Since their time making the first game, Tribute Games have become a retro-inspired juggernaut. What they’ve learned making TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge and Flinthook is implemented here in Scott Pilgrim EX. The fighting mechanics are smooth, the combos are killer, and even the special attacks are showcased with plenty of flair. And while it does its best to keep things in the world of nostalgia, it’s good that Tribute Games kept into consideration the usage of every button on the PS5 controller rather than have a Famicom mentality. To be able to unleash big attacks and assists with ease is such a relief, as a person who often has trouble pulling off complicated combos.
Anamanaguchi returns to score the game, which sounds like the proper follow-up to the last soundtrack. Where the original had the feel of NES beeps & boops, Scott Pilgrim EX goes more for the Super NES sound quality. It rocks harder, sounds more powerful, and it gets head-banging when it goes into Boss Battle mode. Honestly, it’s perfect in practically every way.
Beating Scott Pilgrim EX can take you roughly 4-6 hours to do. While short, it has plenty of replay value, as the roster of playable characters is far bigger than the first. As such, taking control of one character will give off a whole different experience than playing as a different one. (FYI: you can also swap out characters in certain areas if you deem it necessary, especially if your HP is super low!)
PROS:
- A proper evolution of the original game
- Great controls, power-ups, and assists
- Fantastic soundtrack
CONS:
- Online play a necessity
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Scott Pilgrim EX may be a few years late to the party, but it’s fashionably late. The game plays exactly how a follow-up to the original should. It’s bigger, funnier, and — in some cases — better in all of the right places. Even if you’ve never experienced any of the Scott Pilgrim lore before (which, if not, what’s wrong with you?!), Scott Pilgrim EX is a fantastic throwback that would make even Kunio-kun smile with approval.
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Otto Kratky of Tinsley PR. Reviewed on the PS5. Special thanks to Brandon Hofer of Shadow’s Gaming for the co-op assistance!
