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Side scrollers with pixelated graphics were once peak gaming when console machines were ultra-popular. Of course, I'm talking about a bygone era of gaming, but every now and then, some developers decide to treat us with a nostalgia trip, especially those of us with a bit longer gaming careers.
Once I ran Scott Pilgrim EX for the first time, those memories overwhelmed me. I immediately saw myself running from the school to spend my lunch money on a round or two of Contra or Double Dragon at a local arcade. Those were the times. However, apart from a strong nostalgia that won't hit everyone the same way, Scott Pilgrim EX has a lot more to offer.
Story – A Simple Setup for Maximum Mayhem
Who needs the story in some side-scrolling brawler, right? Well, even though the story is totally irrelevant here, one is indeed needed to at least connect the dots and give us the reason why we are scrolling through a virtual Toronto and battling everyone who crosses our path.
I cannot say I'm familiar with the world of Scott Pilgrim; this is actually the first time I've heard of this gaming series, so for the veterans of the series, this story perhaps has some deeper meaning, but for me, and perhaps for all newcomers, it is totally irrelevant as long as the gameplay entertains us enough.
In any case, the game starts with a rock concert where Scott Pilgrim and his band are performing, and out of the blue, they're abducted by some unknown entities and sent into a mysterious dimension. Without too much ado, you'll jump into the shoes of one of seven playable characters to try to save your friends and save the day in the process.
From that moment on, you'll jump into a rescue mission that will lead you all across virtual Toronto, and not just that, you'll chase your enemies through portals into new dimensions, twisting space and time to your advantage. I say again, the story isn't the most sophisticated one, but it serves its purpose, and that's to give us the reason to brawl, and brawl we will.
Gameplay – Old-School Brawling, Modern Edge
Now, for the reason such games are played: the ultimate brawling experience. Scott Pilgrim EX really hits the spot here and manages to perfectly blend the feeling of nostalgia for those a bit older among us and the modern setting, which is more suitable for more casual players. Scott Pilgrim EX is a side-scrolling brawler reminiscent of the old arcade games we all loved so much.
The game is meant to be played in co-op with up to four players. You'll be thrown into the first level when classic brawling begins. You'll be able to choose your character from seven playable characters and start your journey with him/her. As the enemies are coming to you, you'll fight them with your bare fists, using light and heavy attacks and their combinations. Then you'll be able to jump, avoid, and grab enemies, and finally, as the star of this fighting system, use the environment to your advantage.
The real enjoyment is playing in co-op. You can play with friends in local co-op using multiple gamepads or online, which, in my case, was impossible, probably due to server inactivity in the pre-release period. When I had the opportunity, I played a couple of levels with my daughter, and the experience was really different, I must say.
The levels are designed in a very clever way. Apart from the linear path you'll be following to reach your objectives, you'll be finding secret areas as well, with a lot of different loot like coins or special enemies. Speaking of coins, as you defeat your enemies and find stashes through the levels, you'll get coins, which can be exchanged in shops for different items like energy packs or many different badges and accessories.
Badges and accessories change the gameplay, giving your character certain buffs and upgrading their stats. You can call for assistance, too, if some battles seem like too much for you. As I said before, I played some levels in co-op, but most of my experience was going solo, which made my experience much harder than it was supposed to be.
Speaking of difficulty, you can choose three different difficulty levels at the beginning of the game and change them whenever you like. Also, the game supports many different combo moves, which can be reviewed inside the 'Move List' menu and honed inside the special training mode. You can also learn everything about the game mechanics inside the 'How To Play' menu. All in all, the game has quite sophisticated gameplay, which will keep you engaged throughout.
Visuals and Sounds – Pixelated Style, Electrifying Sound
Graphically speaking, Scott Pilgrim EX looks exactly as you might expect it to look: pixelated, flashy, and very charming, with a distinctive art style suitable for such games. Once you start playing, you immediately feel that bygone era of gaming in every frame, but this time, of course, in natural 60 frames per second.
The performance on PlayStation 5 is flawless, but then again, we expected nothing less from such a game. When it comes to the visual presentation, Scott Pilgrim EX doesn't try to reinvent the wheel. The pixelated art style is not for everyone, but if you like one of them, you'll like all of them; that's just it, and Scott Pilgrim EX is a true example of a game with such a visual style.
Sounds, on the other hand, are just amazing. The usual computerised sound design used in old games is present here as well, and the game is doing a great job of replicating those sounds. However, what impressed me even more was the soundtrack, which is one of the better ones I have experienced of late. The mixture of hard rock tracks mixed with computerised sound design is just mind-blowing.
I could listen to those all day long; that's how good those songs are. An impressive job in composing the soundtrack, really; my hat is off to you, ladies and gentlemen, in charge of designing those.
Conclusion
Scott Pilgrim EX is a love letter to the golden age of arcade brawlers, but it’s more than just a nostalgia trip. Beneath its pixelated charm lies a surprisingly deep combat system, clever level design, and a rewarding progression loop that keeps you coming back for more. Whether you’re in it for the old-school vibes or simply looking for a tight, satisfying co-op experience, the game delivers where it matters most: in the brawling itself.
While the story won’t leave a lasting impression, everything else works in its favour: responsive gameplay, meaningful customisation, strong co-op design, and an outstanding soundtrack that elevates every punch and combo. Scott Pilgrim EX understands exactly what it wants to be, and it executes that vision with confidence and style.
The Good
Satisfying and responsive combat- Excellent co-op experience
- Clever level design with secrets
- Outstanding soundtrack
- Smooth performance at 60 FPS
The Bad
Forgettable and simplistic story- Solo play can feel unbalanced
