Scott Pilgrim EX is ditching linear levels for a free-roaming Toronto

Tribute Games has revealed new details about Scott Pilgrim EX, showcasing how the upcoming game evolves the series into a "brawling adventure" hybrid. According to a recent update on the PlayStation Blog, Scott, Ramona, and a handful of evil Exes are teaming up to rescue Sex Bob-Omb from a mysterious entity known as GCorp and an antagonist named Metal Scott.

The original 2010 Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game was a straightforward arcade brawler that wore its River City Ransom influences on its sleeve. It became a cult classic, was famously delisted for years due to licensing issues, and finally returned in 2021. The team at Tribute Games is handling development for this new entry. Many of the studio's founders actually worked on that original 2010 release before forming their own company and eventually creating TMNT: Shredder's Revenge.

Trekking across a warped Toronto

The PlayStation post outlines a shift away from strictly linear stage progression. Players can wander freely around a distorted version of Toronto. You can visit shops, equip items, and talk to familiar characters from the comic series. The developers describe the result as a "brawling adventure" rather than a traditional beat-'em-up.

This structural change aligns with modern indie brawlers like River City Girls, which proved that the genre benefits from giving players a city to explore at their own pace. You can still expect plenty of punching, jumping, and flip-kicking. The combat system lets players string together combos, use environmental weapons, and upgrade their characters with special badges that alter their stats. The developers have emphasized that the fighting is driven by improvisation, rewarding players who experiment with different character builds and weapon combinations.

Goth Neil and a vampire pop star

The blog post specifically details the game's third quest. This mission takes the crew to a horror-themed zone called Casa Vania. The area is filled with demonic gangs and gloomy corridors. This eventually leads to an encounter with "Goth Neil." Apparently, Sex Bob-Omb's biggest fan has fallen under the control of a dark figure. We have all gone through a goth phase, but usually it just involves buying too much eyeliner at the mall, not joining a demonic syndicate.

The boss of the Casa Vania zone is Lady Envy, a vampiric, pirate-themed pastiche of Envy Adams. Her design is a direct nod to classic 80s and 90s horror action games. She fights with dual blades and magical attacks. The developers noted she brings a bit of pop-star flair to the traditional gothic vampire trope.

March 3 on PC and consoles

The new details were announced via Sony's official channels, but Scott Pilgrim EX is not a PlayStation exclusive. The game launches on March 3 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. This simultaneous multiplatform release ensures the player base won't be fragmented on day one.

Series creator Bryan Lee O'Malley wrote the new storyline. He has previously stated this is an entirely original adventure rather than a direct adaptation of the comics or the recent Netflix anime. Chiptune band Anamanaguchi is also returning to provide a brand-new soundtrack for the game. They previously composed the music for the 2010 game. That original album remains one of the most popular soundtracks of its console generation.

If you still have three friends willing to share a couch, the game supports four-player local and online co-op. You can play as Scott, Ramona, and several other characters, so no one has to fight over who gets to be the bass player.