Game review: Marvel’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series,’ stellar space-age adventure game for teens
"Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series" (Telltale Games)
"Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series" (Telltale Games)
Parents need to know that "Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series" is a downloadable episodic adventure game featuring an original story starring the Marvel heroes. (Common Sense Media/TNS)
Parents need to know that “Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series” is a downloadable episodic adventure game featuring an original story starring the popular team of misfit Marvel heroes. The game is a point-and-click-style adventure with occasional use of quick-time events (based on your reactions) and investigation. Over the course of the story, players must make pivotal choices, which will affect both immediate and future events, many of which play out in other purchasable episodes. Aside from the combat, there are a few violent moments in certain cut scenes showing characters getting wounded or killed in fairly brutal ways. Parents should also be aware that there is some light profanity in the game’s dialogue, as well as alcohol use.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
In “Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series,” players strap on their Walkmans and step into the boots of Star-Lord and his ragtag group of “a-holes” in a brand new original adventure. The Guardians race into action after they receive a distress call from the Nova Corps, where a Kree planet is being torn apart by the mad Titan, Thanos, and an ancient artifact known as the Eternity Forge. After an epic battle, Star-Lord and his crew barely manage to escape with their lives … and the Eternity Forge. Players choose the Guardians’ next moves, dealing with the Collector, the Nova Corps, and other cosmic powers from the Marvel Universe. Unbeknownst to the Guardians, though, they’re being hunted by another force, driven by revenge with its sights set firmly on the power offered by the Eternity Forge. It’ll take all their strength, all their skills, plus more than a little luck and sacrifice to guard the galaxy one more time.
IS IT ANY GOOD?
Marvel’s intergalactic band of merry misfits and miscreants are back, and fans should be thrilled. Much like Telltale’s earlier take on “Batman,” “Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series” makes its mark by existing in its own world, blending the best elements from the “Guardians” comic books and movies with completely original elements. Since the story isn’t restricted to following established canon, it opens itself up to all sorts of fresh new possibilities. The characters feel instantly familiar, and yet there are still plenty of surprise twists and turns. The presentation is top-notch, too, with fantastic visuals and spot-on voice acting that breathes life and emotion into the overall story.
Telltale games have never really been about fast-paced action, and “Guardians of the Galaxy” is no different. You’ll spend most of your time watching the story unfold around you as you wait for a key choice, an investigative moment, or an occasional quick bit of combat. Investigating certain scenes just means walking around and finding the right items to click on. And while the combat feels a lot more fluid and natural than that in most other Telltale games, it’s still pretty much just getting a rhythm down and punching the right commands at the right time. Much like the Guardians of the Galaxy themselves, when you bring all the pieces together, “Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series” gels into an amazing story you just don’t want to end.
RATING AND CONTENT
Recommended for ages 15 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
Positive messages: 2 out of 5
Positive role models: 3 out of 5
Ease of play: 5 out of 5
Violence: 3 out of 5
Sex: 0 out of 5
Language: 2 out of 5
Drinking, drugs, and smoking: 3 out of 5
Consumerism: 5 out of 5 (Are products/advertisements embedded? Is the title part of a broader marketing initiative/empire? Is the intent to sell things to kids?)
GAME DETAILS
Platforms: Mac, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
Price: $19.99
Developer: Telltale Games
Release date: April 18, 2017
Genre: Adventure
ESRB rating: T for language, use of alcohol, violence
