If you <3 River City Ransom (RCR) and you don’t already own Scott Pilgrim vs. the World on the PS3 then stop reading this and go download it right now. No, wait, scratch that. Go queue up the download then come right back (or take me with you on your iPad). Of course, if you own a Wii you could download the actual River City Ransom, but then you would miss out on the epicness that is the plight of the Pilgrim.
This game is retro-laced, 4 player co-op goodness to the core. It is a RCR clone with references abound to classic 8 bit titles. You can play as one of four characters with the ability to level up stats and moves on each one. The couch co-op (no online play via the Playstation Network) is pure bliss. The essence of teamwork is defined by the ability to pick up your partner while they are laid out and proceed to hammer on enemies with their face running point. I’d recommend turning off friendly fire in the options though as things get hectic on the screen when your squad gets rushed by a ton of goons. Don’t fret though, turning off team damage only disables the damage done by your base melee attacks. You can still pick up a bat (or any other Object of Mass Destruction) and tee off on your pal(s) with it. Oh, btw, the game has bats and balls. So you can play some stick ball in between fights (or drill the batter with a 4 seamer from point blank). For those of you who are new to the RCR type game play, each level is littered with objects like bats, brooms, buckets, trash cans, tires, and more that can be picked up, used as weapons, used as a lightsaber (you can block incoming objects, no matter the size, if you are holding an object and swing at the incoming object…it’s very technical) stood on to gain the high ground, or even as transportation (have a buddy chuck a tire and try and hop on top of it).
Just like River City Ransom, there are levels with shops that one can purchase anything from a cd of your nemesis band The Clash at Demonhead (the song Black Sheep by Metric in the movie kicks ass) to some nachos and even sushi! These can be used to refill health or permanently boost stats. One can earn money for purchases by collecting coins that baddies drop when you mop the streets of Ontario with them. So make sure you get your loot on early and often if you are playing with other humans (there is no communal coin purse, however you can lend cashola if you feel so inclined).
If you are longing for a 2D game with that retro 8 bit feel (and sound) to play with some friends then this game is a shoe in. If you never experienced River City Ransom with a friend then you should get on Scott Pilgrim and cut your teeth, then go out and get River City Ransom to learn the history.
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