Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy has just hit store shelves, so we list 5 reasons why this superhero romp is worth playing right away.
Everybody loves the Guardians of the Galaxy – a rag-tag group of superheroes that are no strangers to some intergalactic shenanigans. But now, thanks to Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, you get to control the action.
We’ve been enjoying the game for a little while now, so just in case you were still sitting on the fence, here are five reasons why it’s worth playing pronto:
1. The world is visually breathtaking
Whether you’re traipsing through The Milano or cautiously exploring foreign planets, trust us when we tell you that Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is absolutely jaw-droppingly beautiful.
By having the freedom to explore the far-flung crevices of the universe, the game allows its artists to craft worlds and environments that positively pop with colour. From rich, bright pinks to radiant yellows, every location you visit throughout your adventure is an absolute *ahem* marvel.
That’s even more evident if you’ve got yourself a gaming PC or PS5/Xbox Series X where you can really enjoy those crisp 4K visuals and ray-tracing in Quality Mode.
Similarly, the characters themselves have been incredibly well-realised. The level of detail in Groot’s vines and twigs or Rocket Racoon’s fur is downright impressive and it helps build a wonderful sense of immersion and emotion, especially during cinematics. Even the lip-syncing is surprisingly accurate – an issue which plagues most video games.
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This is without question one of the prettiest games of the year and you owe it to yourself to play it on your largest available screen.
2. The soundtrack is killer
Music has become pretty synonymous with Guardians and the good news is that Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy takes that foundation and then builds a bloody mansion on top of it. That’s largely thanks to the game’s Senior Audio Director Steve Szczepkowski, who worked tirelessly to build a strong playlist of classic ‘80s tracks that will keep you smiling from level to level.
Whether it’s Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out For a Hero”, Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” or “Every 1’s a Winner” by Hot Chocolate, every track feels as though it’s been perfectly placed and keeps the rollicking ride barrelling forward from the moment you hit the Start button.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Not only is there an entire Star-Lord album – a move by Szczepkowski to bring Peter Quill’s favourite band to life – but a full orchestral score by composer Richard Jacques as well to help ramp up emotional moments or emphasise truly heroic themes.
What we’re trying to tell you is that you’ll probably want to wear headphones for this one.
3. There’s a strong single-player narrative at play
The Guardians themselves being a team of heroes, you might expect Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy to be a cooperative or multiplayer affair, but that’s actually not the case here. Instead, developer Eidos-Montréal showcases impressive restraint by crafting a single-player narrative that perfectly balances action, humour and heart.
After all, this version of the Guardians are not yet a well-oiled machine. They’re still working out the kinks, but that gives you, alongside Peter Quill, to work out what makes each one of them tick and how to make them feel like part of the family.
The game tells a brand new tale that sees Star-Lord and friends attempt to save the universe their own quirky way, but there are still plenty of slower moments that help the action breathe.
Plus, for fans of the comics, there are nods to classic lore to enjoy and a bevy of collectibles to discover. There’s a little something for everybody!
4. You can choose how some moments and battles play out
Player choice is core to the DNA of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Your galactic adventure will barely be underway before Star-Lord is thrust in the middle of an argument, leaving you to ultimately choose a side.
How you respond can lead to dramatically different outcomes throughout your playthrough. Choose to save somebody in a dire situation and perhaps they’ll return to save your butt down the line. Go back on your word and you’ll cause potential allies to question your loyalty. The mechanic is a fascinating blend of games like Mass Effect and Telltale’s Walking Dead, leaving you to seriously ponder every decision.
Then there is the Huddle – a mechanic during battles that often create incredibly memorable results. Activate the huddle and Peter will gather the Guardians for a mid-fight pep talk. It’s then in your hands to read the emotions of each team member swirling around the screen and choose an appropriate sentiment to get everybody back on the same page.
Succeed and the Guardians will earn a buff while tracks like Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation” kick into gear. Fail and you’ll be faced with insults, disappointed glances and be stuck finishing the fight to the likes of Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”. Yep, it’s as close to a video game Rickroll you may ever get and it’s fantastic. Which brings us to our final point…
5. The game will make you laugh out loud
Whether it’s a well-placed track or a moment of exceptional writing, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy never misses a beat. The Guardians themselves might be a chaotically dysfunctional family, but that’s never a bad thing.
As such, you can certainly expect the team to constantly bicker and hurl creative one-liners at one another with reckless abandon, and you’ll never grow tired of it. Using the comic book series as their foundation, the team at Eidos-Montréal have developed deep, well-rounded characters that are joy to watch on screen.
Every exchanges between the team is whip-smart and enjoy impeccable comedic timing. Even interactions with minor side characters will elicit the odd chuckle.
Oh, and we’re also an absolute sucker for Drax’s deadpan delivery. Exceptional.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is out now for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, XBO, PC.
