The gameplay in Scott Pilgrim EX strikes a balance between traditional brawler roots and modern refinements. While it incorporates the polish found in Shredder’s Revenge, the core experience is designed to feel like an “old-school” beat ’em up. The world is more open than before; though some progression is gated by quests, players are encouraged to explore the city freely.
In a significant departure from the 2010 game, character movesets are no longer locked behind levels. “Every combat technique is available from the start,” Lavoie reveals. Instead of grinding for a dash attack, progression now focuses on stats and customization. Players can visit shops to purchase gear and quest items that enhance their attributes beyond the base cap, or equip modifiers like automatic blocking and currency magnets to tailor the difficulty to their liking.
The League of Playable Rivals
The most striking change in Scott Pilgrim EX is the roster itself. The game expands beyond the usual band of heroes by introducing Ramona’s “Evil Exes” as playable characters. Currently, fan-favorites Roxy Richter and Lucas Lee have been confirmed, bringing entirely new fighting styles to the table.
“We prioritized character diversity and mechanical depth over just sheer numbers.”
According to Belzil, game director Jonathan Lavigne wanted to incorporate classic fighting game archetypes. Roxy functions as a high-speed, agile ninja—reminiscent of characters like Guilty Gear’s Chipp Zanuff—while Lucas Lee serves as the heavy-hitting powerhouse, similar to the “tank” characters found in modern fighters like Street Fighter 6.
Interestingly, the developers refer to these new additions as “rivals” rather than “exes.” This suggests that the game may follow the anime’s lead in fleshing out these former villains, turning them into complex allies or anti-heroes. This “rival-centric” approach allows the developers to explore the broader cast in ways that previous adaptations haven’t, ensuring that Scott Pilgrim EX feels like a fresh evolution of the franchise rather than a retread of the past. With a planned release in 2026, it’s time to get ready for another round of pixelated mayhem in Toronto.
Source: gamesradar.com
