The Scott Pilgrim game was once a potent example of the limits of digital distribution. Originally launched as a downloadable game on PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2010 – ostensibly to accompany the release of Edgar Wright's cinematic adaptation of Bryan Lee O'Malley's cult hit graphic novels, but visually based far more on the latter – the game disappeared from virtual storefronts in 2014, reportedly due to licenses expiring. If you hadn't already bought a copy, it became impossible to do so, and with no physical discs to float around the second hand market, the game effectively ceased to exist.
Fast forward to, well, now though, and whatever issues saw it removed from sale are resolved, meaning the return of Scott Pilgrim to once again battle seven evil exes to win the heart of Ramona Flowers. The Complete Edition packs in the original game, plus four bonus modes and additional playable characters.
It remains a gorgeous example of pixel art throughout
Given the game was always retro – a love-letter to 8- and 16-bit video games, tapping into the same pop cultural influences that powered the comic and the film – it hasn't really aged over the last decade. It remains both a beautiful homage to, and solid example of, scrolling brawlers, with Scott – or Kim Pine, Stephen Stills, or Ramona herself – battling their way around Toronto. While the core gameplay is closest to something like Streets of Rage or Final Fight, with hordes of enemies begging to be pummelled with punches, kicks, slide attacks or droppable weapons, nods to Mario, Final Fantasy, and other gaming icons are packed in, from the design of the world map to RPG-lite mechanics such as shops selling stat-boosting power ups.
You'll start off feeling very underpowered though, with only basic attacks and jumps to handle enemies. While you'll earn special attacks with each level gained, it's never clear how much experience you've earned or need to reach the next level. Given you'll likely need to unlock at least a few of those special moves to make it through the lengthy stages and reach each boss, expect to be replaying early stages a few times, just to EXP grind. You'll also need to repeat this for each of the playable characters too, and while they each have unique abilities, it feels a hell of a chore to unlock them all.
It also bears noting that this is, specifically, a Complete Edition, rather than a Remastered Edition. Although developer Engine Software has successfully crammed in every bit of DLC from the original release – including Knives Chau and Wallace Wells as playable characters, the Dodgeball, Survival Horror, Battle Royal, and Boss Rush modes, and the option for online multiplayer – it didn't take the opportunity to iron out some of the flaws of the original release. Movement across the 2D planes that make up each area still feels stilted, and actions such as picking up weapons feel imprecise and more down to chance than accuracy. Some gentle tweaks would have been welcome, without compromising the challenge of the 2010 version.
Still, Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game remains a highly enjoyable experience, especially if – like for the comics or film – you get the references it's constantly mining. It also remains a gorgeous example of pixel art throughout, and retains the brilliant Anamanaguchi soundtrack that was a hallmark of the original release. It's also undeniably great to see the game rescued from digital obsolescence – just keep in mind it still has all the same merits and flaws it did a decade ago.