Game: Scott Pilgrim VS The World: The Game Complete Edition
Genre: Action, Fighting
System: Nintendo Switch (also on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Google Stadia)
Developer | Publisher: Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Chengdu, Engine Software | Ubisoft
Age Rating: US T| EU 12+
Price: US $14.99 | UK £ 11.99 | EU € 14,99
Release Date: January 14th 2021
Review copy used with many thanks to Ubisoft Benelux!
Scott Pilgrim VS The World: The Game Complete Edition is a 2D Beat-em-up based on the Scott Pilgrim Graphic novels and live-action movie developed by Ubisoft Montreal and Ubisoft Chengdu with the remaster being developed by Engine software.
The graphic novel series, movie and game follows the adventures of Scott Pilgrim, a 23-year-old slacker who wants to win the love of Ramona Flowers, a roller skating Amazon delivery girl. However, to do that he has to fight her seven evil exes!
The game was originally released in August 2010 for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 as a digital title along with the movies theatrical release to positive reviews and a few awards. However in 2014 the game got delisted from digital storefronts due to licensing issues which made the game impossible to buy for those who were interested in getting it from positive word of mouth.
But the game now has made a miraculous comeback on the Switch (and several other systems) including all of the DLC thanks to the effort of the creator Bryan Lee O’Malley and Ubisoft talking things out with each other. Is this game worth the encore? Let’s find out!
Charming visual style and amazing tunes!
The game has a very charming visual style which is based on the Graphic Novels with really well-made 2D Sprites that have a lot of charm to them for the various playable characters. The game also really performs well at 60FPS. There are also some really sweet video game references in this game with the World map being a homage to Super Mario World 3 and several other retro games as an example.
I also really enjoyed the various music tunes in the game that are provided by the Chiptune Punk band called Anamanaguchi. The OST really fits the modernized Retro-style of the game really well in my opinion and I also would say the OST is worth a listen on its own.
Brawling through the streets!
Scott Pilgrim VS The World: The Game Complete Edition‘s gameplay is inspired by games like River City Ransom. At its core, it’s a Beat-em-up where you fight through waves of enemies as you go through the various levels. You have light and heavy attacks, you can pick up weapons to use against enemies or throw at them and you also can level up the various playable characters to learn new moves. Plus you can spend your money on various items that can heal your character and also raise their stats. There is a certain bit of grinding that’ll be involved since the game can be difficult in various ways, much like a classic retro game.
In some levels you also come across doors that bring you to the Subspace Highway that works as a shortcut through the various levels, where you can break the flying enemies and hit specific blocks to get more money that you can use to level up your characters stats.
At the end of the level you will have to deal with a boss which is with one exception one of Ramona Flowers’ Seven Evil Exes. They form a real decent challenge and have their own moves and gimmicks to deal with.
In addition there’s the story mode that you can enjoy with seven different characters, one of which you need to unlock. You also have extra game modes like a Boss Rush mode that pits you against the games bosses and mini-bosses. A Survival Horror mode that pits you up against zombies and other modes like the Battle Royale and Dodgeball mode. You can also enjoy all of these modes with a buddy on the couch and as a new addition you also have a Network Mode that you can play with friends and random people online.
The gameplay, while simple, is very enjoyable and there is a good amount of replay-value there for those who like to replay their games!
Conclusion!
In the words of Wallace Wells it’s time to break out the L-word.
I love this game a lot especially as a fan of the source material of which both the movie and the graphic novels get their time in the sun in terms of references. I really had an amazing and fun time playing through the game.
This is a game I wholeheartedly recommend to fans of Scott Pilgrim and even people who like beat-em-ups and retro-style action games.
It also warms my heart to see that this gem is also getting a physical release via Limited Run Games so I hope that Scott Pilgrim VS The World: The Game Complete Edition gets to be more readily available for those interested to play through.
Scott Pilgrim VS The World: The Game Complete Edition has been a lost hidden gem for six to seven years!
Final Rating: Two Thumbs Up!
