Developer: Engine Software, Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Chengdu, Ubisoft Pune Production
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X (Reviwed) |S
Genre: Arcade / Beat’em Up
Publisher: Ubisoft
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is a classic side-scrolling beat ’em up in a 16-bit retro style, think Streets of Rage mixed with Scott Pilgrim. It’s a real throwback to one of my favourite gaming genres, I know you don’t see many side-scrolling beat em ups apart from the odd indie game. I love side-scrolling beat ’em ups.
The game is styled and themed with all things Scott Pilgrim from the characters, the locations and the bosses you meet throughout. Thematically it gets across the comic aspects of Scott Pilgrim well, the Scott Pilgrim vibe is omnipresent. The humour, language, sounds and soundtrack all fit in seamlessly to the game. It looks slick and has that 16-bit retro vibe going. Even the playstyle and gameplay does evoke memories of Streets of Rage on the Megadrive. The main story mode follows a couple of environments which lead to a boss and this formula continues for each boss. The gameplay is simple and straightforward.
The game does support up to 3 extra players playing locally or online. The extra game modes of Zombies, Dodgeball and Battle Royale do add some much-needed variety to the single-player. My favourite extra game is Boss Rush Mode which has you play all the bosses from the game in a row. I’m a major fan of game bosses in general and this is probably why I love it. Each boss has their moves and secret moves and is the best set of enemies in any game.
While Scott Pilgrim does a lot right: the style, theme and the beat em’ classic for gameplay. The main game doesn’t have that depth of variation to keep you glued to the game, after 2 or 3 levels you have pretty much seen the guts of the game and what is on offer. I’m a huge fan of side-scrolling beat ’em ups and I enjoyed it but didn’t love it. However, the addition of online, local play and modes such as Zombies do add some much-needed variety and longevity to the game.
Overall: 6/10
Enjoys more than the odd game, long time gamer, somewhat a technologist and everything else in between.
Also enjoys a good solid game of FIFA online. Currently PS4, XBOX 360 and STEAM.
