Scott Pilgrim vs The World

Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game

Rating: T

Score: 9.0/10

                Once upon a time, there was a comic book named Scott Pilgrim. It was filled with video game references and other nerdy goodness, so it appealed to comic book's target audience well. Then, it became a very successful movie, and a video game followed. Can the game live up to the successful movie and comics? It should, since it has a clear grip on the video gaming. This game is available over Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network.

                What’s the story behind Scott Pilgrim? Well, he's dating the beautiful Ramona. However, to date her, he must defeat her seven evil exes. It's a movie plot perfect for a game. So, you visit locale after locale and find (and defeat) each ex, one at a time.

                The game is a classic beat-em-up with classic-sounding music and graphics to boot. You look and sound like you're straight out of a late 80’s arcade. This plays well with all the throw-backs to old-school games it gives. For a game that tried to seem like it shows age, it plays beautifully. Smooth controls, smooth animation, all the workings of a game a design team worked VERY hard on.

                With one person, it's a great experience where you beat up a bunch of guys and advance to the next screen. With four, it's chaotic mayhem at its best. Each player picks a different character. Choose Stills, Scott, Ramona, or Kim at first, but you can unlock more. Each has different specialties and abilities, and can add their own unique style to the game.

                Each enemy you beat drops coins, and you can spend coins on health boosters or stat boosters. They can get quite costly, so you can find Subspace Zones where you can find extra money. It's very useful, since normal thugs only drop a few quarters, which now that I think about it is pretty bully-esque of Scott and Co.. You're just defending yourself though, since they came at you.

                Since it's on Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network, you're pretty well buying this game for about $15, which when the game is this good, is always amazing. Great deals, at great prices. It sucks there's no online Co-Op, but then again that might arguably take away from the old-school feel of the game, so it can be forgiven.

                Just like the movie can be recommended to any video game nerd, this game can be recommended to any video game nerd. From its stylish, old-school play and graphics to its simple, fun, and effective story, it's a true blast from the past. It's not the first time retro has been used to sell a game, but it's the first time it has been used properly to base a game around. Any retro-game fans will be right at home.