The Scott Pilgrim series has always had a way of blending style, chaos, and charm into something instantly recognizable, whether in comics, film, or the cult-favorite game from over a decade ago. With Scott Pilgrim EX, Tribute Games is bringing the property back to life in a fresh format, combining nostalgic beats with a new story crafted by Bryan Lee O’Malley himself. It’s a return that feels instantly familiar, yet ambitious enough to carve out its own identity.
What we know
Scott Pilgrim EX is an action-adventure game set in a version of Toronto fractured by rival gangs of Vegans, Robots, and Demons. Players will take control of Scott, Ramona, and a roster of seven fan-favorite fighters, each with their own unique combat style. Unlike the more straightforward side-scrolling of the earlier game, this entry offers a city-wide adventure, with interconnected levels full of quests, secrets, and new characters. The combat system is combo-driven, blending flashy melee attacks with over-the-top special moves and improvised weapon use, while character progression comes through customizable badges and stat upgrades. Co-op is a big part of the design too, with local and online support for up to four players. True to the franchise’s roots, music plays a key role, with an all-new soundtrack channeling the energetic 8-bit-inspired rock that helped make the original game so beloved.
What we saw
At Gamescom, we went hands-on with a demo build of Scott Pilgrim EX. Playing in co-op alongside a Tribute Games developer, we got a feel for the combat system, experimented with some of the special attacks, and saw how the city map stitches different areas together into a more expansive structure than the classic beat-’em-up framework.
What we thought
The first thing that struck us about Scott Pilgrim EX was how quickly it felt like coming home. From the moment the demo began, the art style, the humor, and the rhythm of combat were unmistakably Scott Pilgrim, and the jump into this new, more exploratory setup didn’t feel jarring at all. Tribute Games has done a great job capturing that chaotic, improvisational energy in the brawling mechanics while expanding the game world in a way that feels natural rather than forced.
Combat is both stylish and scrappy, rewarding experimentation with weapons, combos, and environmental interaction. In co-op especially, fights quickly turn into a whirlwind of fists, special effects, and unexpected synergy, making it easy to lose track of the action in the best possible way. The badge system and character upgrades look like they’ll add more long-term depth, but even in a short session, the variety between fighters stood out. Ramona’s moveset in particular gave a strong sense of individuality, distinct from Scott’s more straightforward style.
Visually, Scott Pilgrim EX is bursting with personality. The comic-inspired aesthetic pops with bold colors and smooth animations, and the soundtrack feels like a return to form for the series’ signature energy. The environments we saw were packed with quirky details, from familiar Toronto backdrops to more outlandish locations touched by the influence of the gangs. It’s clear that Tribute is aiming for a lively world that’s more than just a backdrop for fights.
If there’s any hesitation at this stage, it’s that the chaotic nature of combat sometimes makes things feel overly busy, especially in co-op where screen space fills up fast. Whether this will become a frustration or simply part of the game’s charm will depend on how well the full version balances clarity with spectacle. Still, it’s hard not to be excited by the promise of a new story penned by O’Malley and the return of a franchise that’s been absent for far too long. Instantly familiar yet expanded in scope, Scott Pilgrim EX feels like a confident step forward.
Press Play Media 