Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game

Scott Pilgrim Vs the World: The Game is the game from the SP franchise has seen success in just about any avenue it’s ventured. The series has seen comic book success, produced an iconic movie and musically, it has produced a number of cracking ditties too. So it seemed only natural that in 2010, the franchise would try its hand at a video game. However, instead of doing to conventional licensed movie tie-in game, this title would try to capture the essence of the Scott Pilgrim series in the best way possible. By offering a zany, arcade-style beat-em-up that would attempt to revive a forgotten genre within the industry.

This game plays like classic side-scrolling arcade beat-em-ups like Streets of Rage, Golden Axe, Double Dragon, Shinobi, The Simpsons Arcade Game and TMNT: The Arcade Game. As mentioned, this game would aim to reinvigorate a lost gaming genre while capturing the nuance and the wackiness of the Scott Pilgrim franchise. So, it begs the question, how did it do? We find out in our review of Scott Pilgrim Vs the World: The Game.

Built Like an Arcade Game

One thing that has to be said about this title, is that authenticity is key to its success. Unlike other console titles, this game is built like an arcade game. Players will only have seven levels to play through. However, the game manages to offer an experience that has longevity through the sheer difficulty of the task at hand. Players will have to master the game to succeed with trial and error being the way forward in this game. At face value, you would think this would lead to a frustrating time playing this game. However, in practice, it suits the game down to a tee.

What this translates to, is an experience that is the equivalent to going to the arcade with unlimited quarters in your pocket. A novelty that would seem like a dream come true to kids of a certain era. You have the freedom to play as any character you like, you can work toward mastering their various skills and abilities, you can learn the attack patterns of the enemies you’ll encounter and when it comes to bosses, you best be ready for a proper showdown.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Although this game can be played solo, it becomes clear that this game was made with a multiplayer experience in mind. It’s a joy to team up with others and lay waste to the seven evil exes of the realms. We will admit that the friendly fire became more of an issue in the latter stages when the levels became busier. However, this only adds to the fun and the chaos of the gameplay. So we can look past this minor oversight from the developers.

A Retro Masterclass

Then in terms of presentation, we can’t fault this title. It captures the arcade aesthetic of old, marries it together with the SP franchise and still manages to refine the visuals to look as sharp as they possibly could be. Plus, the NES style musical stylings are a joy to listen to as you pummel foes and work your way from left to right. It is clear that the developers had a real love for the subject material they were working with and that shines through in the final product.

The Verdict

Overall, Scott Pilgrim Vs the World: The Game is a lesson in how to revive a genre. The gameplay is a love letter to the side-scrolling beat-em-ups of old. The visual and auditory stylings are truly spectacular and the fanfare offered to the players in abundance throughout this game is very much appreciated.

Pros:

• An authentic arcade experience
• Visuals and audio are top notch
• Brilliant to play in Co-op
• Wacky and absurd in a way only a piece of SP media can be

Cons:

• Can be rather difficult when playing solo
• Friendly fire damage is frustrating at times

Based on the 2004 comic series and 2010 film of the same name, Scott Pilgrim vs the World: The Game is a celebration of classic arcade gameplay, accurately telling the story of the original source material. Scott, a young gamer living in Toronto, must battle seven evil ex-lovers of his crush, Ramona. Spread across a handful of entertaining, linear levels, you'll go toe-to-toe with criminals, ninjas, laser-shooting aliens, and more. In addition to being a wonderful adaptation of the comic and movie, Scott Pilgrim vs the World: The Game is an undeniably entertaining and colorful beat 'em up. Scott Pilgrim fans will find a lot to love about this stunning video game adaptation.

Main Game Features

• Retro-inspired beat 'em up gameplay
• Pixel-art visuals and chiptune soundtrack
• Multiple playable characters

Story

Scott Pilgrim vs the World: The Game focuses on the title character Scott after he falls in love with a delivery girl named Ramona. In order to win her favor, Scott and his friends must travel across seven themed levels, battling each of Ramona's evil ex-boyfriends. Players can play through the adventure as Scott and Ramona, as well as Scott's bandmates Stephen and Kim. In addition to the seven exes, other memorable characters pop up during your journey, including Wallace, Knives Chau, and more. Apart from the introductory cutscene, there's not much in the way of storytelling, so it helps to have seen or read the original story before playing the game. Regardless, the game does a great job of translating the original narrative into a retro-style video game without the use of dialogue or long text-windows.

Gameplay

If you've ever played an old-school beat 'em up game like Double Dragon, River City Ransom, or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time, you'll feel right at home with Scott Pilgrim vs the World: The Game. The game can be played with up to four players on one screen, with each player controlling one of the four unique characters. Although you start with a limited set of attacks, your move list will grow as you defeat enemies and level up. Each character has unique abilities, encouraging multiple playthroughs. For the most part, each level will require you to move towards one side of the screen, defeating every enemy that you encounter. Special moves can be used by expending “guts points”, helping clear large groups of foes. Defeated baddies will drop loose change for you to collect, which can be spent in various shops.

What makes Scott Pilgrim vs the World: The Game stand out from other modern beat 'em ups is the nods and references to classic video games, as well as the consistently upbeat atmosphere and music. There's an excellent variety to the levels, including snowy suburban streets, bright movie sets, and some truly psychedelic sections known as “sub-space highways”. Like many classic arcade games, you can finish the game in a few hours or so, but don't expect things to be a cake-walk. Even on the easiest difficulty, enemies are tough and you can expect to die often. Despite the occasional frustration, there's a good chance you'll find the game enjoyable enough to complete in one sitting.

Pros

• Excellent adaptation of the movie
• Lots of retro video game homages
• Fun progression system and addictive combat

Cons

• Combat is underwhelming at first
• Can be frustrating at times
• Occasional glitches