Is the English game really worth it?

I want to play the English game, but people are saying it’s more slow, complex and not as advantageous as e4 and d4. I have a tournament coming up in USCF where im playing u1200, and does the English work well there?

Yes & no

there are some people that are garbage but knows 100 lines of theory in some openings, playing c4 will make them confused and its more likely that you will win

The English works on all levels.

On the other hand, changing your opening just before a tournament is a terrible idea. It's a sure recipe for disaster. The sensible thing is to play what you're familiar with.

The English is an excellent opening.

1. e4, 1.d4, 1. c4 and 1. Nf3 are all good openings, of approximately equal value.

Your only real job in the opening is to reach a middle-game position in which you feel comfortable and confident.

Everything else is just fashion.