'Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition' REVIEW

A thousand years ago back in 2010, Ubisoft released Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game around the same timeframe as Edgar Wright’s cult-classic movie, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, based on the graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O’Malley.

It was a good game that was loved by both Scott Pilgrim fans and those that haven’t even heard of the comic or movie, thanks to its beautiful graphics, crunchy combat, and punishing difficulty.

Unfortunately, the game would be removed from online stores a hundred years ago back in 2014 due to licensing issues, rendering it unavailable for those who weren’t able to buy it. For years the game would still be played by its fans, not just to remember the movie, but because it was a good beat-em-up with four-player co-op, resulting in many keeping their PS3s and Xbox 360s, and leaving gamers mourning the loss of a truly great licensed game.

However, thanks to a very vocal fanbase and support from video game-loving Scott Pilgrim creator O’Malley, Ubisoft has released Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition on modern consoles.

That’s right, you can finally throw away your PS3 or Xbox 360 (unless you’re playing the excellent Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online Edition, which is also in need of a big re-release), as the game is now available on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Google Stadia, and, most importantly, the Nintendo Switch.

Yes, I say most importantly because Scott Pilgrim on the Switch is a treat. And unlike garlic bread, it won’t make you fat.

Now, if you’re expecting some major changes from the original 2010 release, you’re out of luck unless you like ugly menus and forced service connectivity. This is the same game that came out on PS3 and Xbox 360, just with all the DLC, so if you like Double Dragon or River City-style combat with great retro-style graphics and an awesome soundtrack, this is for you.

It also goes without saying that if you liked the game before, you are going to continue liking it. Everything great about the game has been brought back, with the awesome addition of online play, which is really useful due to these trying times. Honestly, the only major complaint I have is that you need to connect to a Ubisoft account to unlock Knives Chau, which is a minor inconvenience but still a negative.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World lets you control Ramona Flowers, Kim Pine, Stephen Stills, and of course, Scott Pilgrim, along with the aforementioned DLC characters Knives Chau and Wallace Wells in an abridged version of the events seen in O’Malley’s comics or Wright’s movie. You have to defeat Ramona’s seven evil exes, with each character having a unique ending to unlock.

Also, in case you somehow missed the first two sentences of this review, this game can be really punishing. It seems like the developers really had that co-op focus in mind because if you’re playing this alone—like yours truly—you’re going to have a hard time. Enemies can swarm you with little problem and some of them do a lot of damage. That’s not even including the bosses, as each of Ramona’s exes dishes out a ton of damage and can employ cheap tactics to make fights harder, like summoning allies to distract the player.

Don’t be surprised if you see yourself cheesing through the game with your own cheap tactics. That’s just the nature of arcade-style beat-em-ups, admittedly, but those that think they’re getting a relaxing time due to the cute graphics are in for one hell of a wakeup call.

If you’re prepared for all of that, or even find some of the things I mentioned appealing, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition really is for you. I’m playing the game on my Nintendo Switch and it runs really well with little-to-no performance issues so you can imagine how it will play on more powerful hardware. The addition of online and local co-op is also appreciated, which should make this a great party game for former and current hipsters.

Don’t get me wrong, I would have appreciated some new content like the scrapped DLC idea to make Envy Adams a playable character. Still, the fact that I can play Scott Pilgrim on the go with my Switch is a miracle many of us thought wouldn’t happen.

Get Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition. Unlike 2020 (and maybe half of 2021 if we’re being honest) it won’t make you think about death or get sad and stuff.

(Review made with the Nintendo Switch version of the game. Images from Ubisoft)