A Classic Returns, New and Improved
As an indie game reviewer for over 10 years, I‘ve seen many retro revivals try and fail to capture the magic of old-school classics. So when I heard Scott Pilgrim vs The World was coming back after a lengthy absence, I was excited but skeptical. Could it still deliver the same charm?
I‘m happy to say this Switch remaster recaptures the energy of the Scott Pilgrim series that dazzled gamers back in 2010. With enhanced graphics, all DLC stages, and chaotic 4-player battles, this definitely isn‘t a cheap cash-grab.
Let‘s dig deeper into what makes this beat-em-up compilation so special, including improvements that make it the definitive edition for Pilgrim fans. Whether you‘re a newcomer or returning fan, strap in!
A Quick Recap: The Rise and Fall of Scott Pilgrim
For those unfamiliar with the backstory, the Scott Pilgrim game was developed by Ubisoft Montreal and released in 2010 alongside the Scott Pilgrim vs The World film. Inspired by classic beat-em-ups like River City Ransom and Double Dragon, the game won praise for its pixel style, catchy music, and hectic brawling. As IGN said at the time:
"The game does a great job of recreating the comic books’ signature style…the chiptune soundtrack by Anamanaguchi fits the game perfectly."
Scott Pilgrim captured the essence of the comic books and film.
Sadly, this creativity didn‘t translate to strong sales. By 2014, the game was delisted from digital platforms, seemingly lost to the sands of time.
Now in honor of the movie‘s 10-year anniversary, Ubisoft has revived Scott Pilgrim with an enhanced Complete Edition. This includes the full game along with all original DLCs, wrapped up in a modern HD sheen.
But how does this comeback compare to the beloved original? Let‘s break it down.
Updated Visuals, Same Style
Half the joy of Scott Pilgrim was its neon-dappled pixel art style, bursting with 8-bit charm. Ubisoft took great care preserving the game‘s aesthetic while giving it some modern tweaks. The sprites and animations remain untouched to maintain their comic book flair.
However, the textures have been re-rendered in high-resolution. This enhances details without compromising the art direction. Backgrounds like the snowy Toronto streets or flashing arcade now pop with vibrancy. Game elements like text boxes have also been reshaped for improved UI flow.
Purists can enjoy a Pixel Perfect mode that emulates the original resolution. But for most, the visual overhaul is a welcome update.
Improved resolution allows finer environmental details to shine.
Satisfying Combat, Amped Up Chaos
Beyond the fresh coat of paint, the gameplay itself stays wisely unchanged. Scott Pilgrim still plays like an addictive homage to the golden era of side-scrolling beat-em-ups. Chaining punches, throws, and mid-air juggles feels as slick as ever.
Ramona’s 7 evil exes put up tough fights with their outrageous attack patterns. But taking them down through pattern recognition and quick reflexes remains deeply rewarding.
What is new for the Complete Edition is the ability to tackle the campaign online or with 3 other friends. I loved streaming this chaotic co-op experience on Discord as we struggled to coordinate amid explosions of coins and special attacks. Unlocking additional characters like Knives Chau and Wallace Wells also adds variety.
With tougher difficulty settings and rankings for each stage, you’ll find plenty to master during these anarchic battles!
Killer Tunes Remixed
No Scott Pilgrim game would be complete without an infectious chiptune soundtrack. Thankfully composers Anamanaguchi have come back to deliver new takes on their 8-bit grooves. These updated tracks add layers of depth while retaining the energetic spirit of the originals.
Booting up the game still gives me goosebumps during the intro theme. And the backing music complements each level, from the creepy organ notes of the Spooky Mansion to the heroic rock anthem against the final boss. Even after a full playthrough, I found myself bobbing my head to home screen jams for another hour.
Upgraded tunes make the stellar soundtrack even catchier.
Verdict: The Definitive Scott Pilgrim Experience
Replaying this lost gem after a decade, I feared my nostalgia might have exaggerated its brilliance. Instead, Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game proves itself just as delightful today with enhancements that feel like love letters to fans.
From the crisp pixel visuals to rocking chiptunes to white-knuckle 4-player co-op, almost nothing captures that magic brew of retro arcade excellence like this game. Considering it also packs in a full-length story and plenty of unlockables for $15, no beat-em-up buff should miss this package.
It may have taken 10 long years, but Scott Pilgrim’s Complete Edition shows this indie darling has truly leveled up into something special. Whether you just watched the movie or grew up pumping quarters into TMNT cabinets, Ubisoft has compiled an essential pillar of the genre here. Let‘s hope we don‘t have to wait as long for a sequel!
