Bryan Lee O’Malley’s 3 All-Time Favorite Games

The influence of video games on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s iconic Scott Pilgrim universe is unmistakable, a core element that bridges the original comics, film, and new adaptations. During a recent conversation, the creator opened up about his deep involvement with the upcoming beat ’em up Scott Pilgrim EX, contrasting it with his limited role in the 2010 title. Our discussion naturally evolved into a broader exploration of his personal gaming history, revealing the specific titles that have fundamentally shaped his creative vision and approach to interactive storytelling.

When asked about his focus for the new game, O’Malley emphasized a holistic involvement. “All of them. All the parts,” he stated. Officially serving as a consultant, he reviewed every element, offering candid feedback to refine the project. His primary contributions were in writing and character design, though he was quick to credit the team at Tribute Games. “It is Tribute’s game. So I step back, let them do their thing, and just help where it’s needed.” He expressed profound admiration for the final product’s feel and flow, noting he “could never have done even 1% of that.”

The structural inspiration for Scott Pilgrim EX is deeply rooted in River City Ransom, a game O’Malley holds in high regard. He recalls renting it as a child and playing all night with a friend, a “totemic” memory that links gaming with personal connection. Revisiting it recently, he appreciated its enduring, simple fun and sees its spirit reflected in the new project. The game’s development itself was a long-time coming, with conversations between O’Malley and Tribute spanning years, finally aligning after the anime’s completion when Universal was open to more projects.

Returning to the world of Scott Pilgrim through the anime, a comic box set, and now this game has been a rejuvenating process for O’Malley. “Inviting new people into my playground a little bit has been really good for me personally,” he shared, explaining how it helped him reclaim a creation that once felt like an “albatross.” He is currently drawing a new short comic for the game’s physical edition, his first Scott Pilgrim comic since the original series, using old templates to recapture the familiar feel.

Discussing his all-time favorite games, O’Malley listed four pivotal titles: River City Ransom, Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge, Chrono Trigger, and Bloodborne. He sees echoes of each in Scott Pilgrim EX: the structure from River City Ransom, the comedic dialogue style from Monkey Island 2, RPG and time-travel hints from Chrono Trigger, and the varied, character-specific combat from Bloodborne. His choice of Monkey Island 2 is personal, as it was his first in the series and represents a pinnacle of comedy and world-building for him, complete with a beloved meta-ending. He tried Return to Monkey Island but was put off by the updated visuals, which he described as “toxic,” preferring the original pixel art.

His appreciation for pixel art is a consistent theme. While he could theoretically work on a game without it, he finds modern HD reimaginings often lose their charm. “Getting to work with all these pixel artists on the game is always just a joy,” he said. As for recent games, he admits to not always chasing the latest releases. He’s been immersed in JRPG re-releases like Final Fantasy Tactics and enjoys Triangle Strategy for its beautiful “HD pixel” style. He has yet to dive into major 2025 titles like Hades II or Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the latter of which he humorously noted feels “too French” for his taste despite his French-Canadian heritage.

A significant more recent favorite is Bloodborne, which he discovered during the pandemic after finally grasping the philosophy of FromSoftware’s games. While he enjoys Elden Ring, he hasn’t completed it, often restarting to relish the early game. He also praised Nightreign as a top new game for him this year. Notably, he still plays on a PS4, having deliberately avoided the PS5 launch “rat race,” though he acknowledges the visual benefits after seeing a friend’s stream.

Reflecting on the original 2010 Scott Pilgrim game, O’Malley clarified he was minimally involved due to concurrent work on the comic and film. The process left him somewhat dissatisfied, particularly with how his rough sketches were translated. Scott Pilgrim EX has offered a corrective opportunity, allowing for more hands-on input and finished art. He believes the Tribute team also had “unfinished business” with the property, making this new collaboration deeply fulfilling. He is especially enthusiastic about the new soundtrack by Anamanaguchi, calling their work “off the chain” and “towering.”

When asked about future original game projects, O’Malley was hesitant. “Maybe I’m just Canadian,” he joked, concerned about being “annoying” or a “dilettante” in a field that isn’t his primary domain. While open to future adaptations, the intensive development process of the last five years has him leaning toward a return to comics. His comic-writing sensibility is evident in the game’s dialogue, where he obsessively condenses text to avoid spillover, a practice that brings him particular satisfaction. “I want everything to work, even without any of the dialog,” he explained. “And the dialog is just for fun, for flavor, for the fans.”

(Source: Game Informer)