Scott Pilgrim EX

Considering its distinctly retro vibe and arcade styling, Scott Pilgrim is an IP that is practically designed for a beat 'em up video game adaptation. We saw as much in 2010 when Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game graced our screens, and now - many years later - we again get to save Toronto with our favourite heroes and exes in Scott Pilgrim EX.

In a somewhat similar vein to Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Scott Pilgrim EX takes us away from the story we know of the titular Scott taking down Ramona Flowers' evil exes, and instead has us join forces with some of them to take on a new foe. Three gangs in the demons, vegans, and robots are vying for control of Toronto, and it's up to Scott and friends to bring them down in time for Sex Bob-Omb's latest concert.

It's a fresh, fun story that comes from collaboration with Scott Pilgrim's creator Bryan Lee O'Malley, so it's got an important seal of approval there. The main quest takes you across a wonderfully pixelated recreation of many of the graphic novel's key locations, as well as some new ones. The art style here is vibrant, retro, and has such wonderful detail compared to the first game. It really pops, and feels uniquely Scott Pilgrim, giving this fairly small but very beloved franchise a fresh coat of paint, just like Netflix's animated show did a few years back.

As Scott and the gang try and save Sex Bob-Omb's bandmates (alongside Young Neil), you won't just be looking at the pretty, pixelated background. This is a beat 'em up game, after all, and there are plenty of enemies to beat up. If you've played an arcade action side-scroller before, you'll know what you're getting into here. Enemies spawn from either side of the screen, often in great numbers making you feel like a great big badass when you batter them all with slick, tight combos. The combat in Scott Pilgrim EX is fast-paced, reactive, and stylish. The game's characters each play a unique role, with their own moveset, assists, and more, allowing for some real varied play when you try out different characters. I played through most of my run as Lucas Lee, who is a slow but powerful grappler, before swapping out for Scott later on to experience more of an all-rounder style of play.

It is a blast to punch your way through the streets of Toronto, especially with the aforementioned visuals and banging soundtrack from Anamanaguchi. However, throughout my brief time with Scott Pilgrim EX I did run into a couple of snags in the gameplay. Moving up or down and jumping to hit enemies is very inconsistent, and while you're not moving on the Y-axis often in this side-scroller, you will notice when you struggle to connect a jumping punch with an enemy you're sure you're right next to. There's one flying boss in particular who proved to be quite an annoying fight, because they linger in the air so often it's nearly impossible to get a solid combo in. With the game's combos being so fun and visually charming, it's a shame that taking to the air deprives you of them.

Also, as you progress in Scott Pilgrim EX, you'll find the game not only overstimulating as it throws everything and the kitchen sink at you in the name of difficulty, but it also seems to discourage you from trying new characters. As mentioned, after a lot of fun with Lucas Lee, I swapped to Scott, only to realise changing character meant you're essentially nerfing yourself. You gain levels as you fight in Scott Pilgrim EX, but these are character specific. It's a bit odd that in a game boasting seven playable characters, each with their own unique style, that it almost feels taboo to swap in the middle of a campaign.

These aren't damning faults with the overall experience, but they are noticeable in a playthrough of Scott Pilgrim EX. Still, it's hard to dampen the excitement I experienced every time I picked this up to head back into Toronto. Sure, an adventure run won't take you longer than a few hours, and could be rushed through in an afternoon if you wished, but the game's core combat loop remains so fun that you could easily blast through it again, if only to replay a favourite boss or see what the other characters can do.

If, like me, you enjoyed Scott Pilgrim as a kid, and always wanted more of this unserious, nerdy franchise, then Scott Pilgrim EX is a perfect dose of pixel graphics, evil exes, and enemies that burst into coins when they're defeated. It's admittedly short, and has some odd choices in its design and gameplay, but shines so well stylistically that it's impossible not to appreciate for fans of the graphic novel series, whether you jumped in with the comics, movie, or even the Netflix series. Not the best brawler I've ever played, perhaps, but a lovely addition to Tribute Games' growing arsenal of beat 'em up gold.