Games based on existing intellectual property, such as movies, TV series, books, or comic books, have a history of inconsistent quality. In fact, many licensed games produced since the 1980s have been, to put it kindly, forgettable. However, there are notable exceptions like Batman on NES, Battletoads, and, importantly, the Witcher series. Marvel, under Disney’s ownership for several years, has generally maintained high standards in its film adaptations. Despite some formulaic elements, they often feature skilled actors and provide consistently competent entertainment. Therefore, when Square Enix announced that Eidos Montréal was developing an action-adventure game based on Guardians of the Galaxy, we were both intrigued and somewhat skeptical. While the company has a strong track record with titles like Tomb Raider, and Marvel has seen success with Spider-Man on Playstation, the question remained: could they avoid the pitfalls that plague many licensed games? (Trivia: A Guardians of the Galaxy game was previously developed as an episodic adventure by Telltale Games.)
The Guardians of the Galaxy game aligns well with the source material. The characters are based on their comic book counterparts and, while the voices are similar, do not precisely resemble the actors from the films. The game’s structure resembles that of Dragon Age, incorporating exploration, team-based gameplay, and action sequences in battles.
The narrative begins with the Guardians, a group of mercenary heroes, hunting a high-value monster within a strictly off-limits quarantine zone. Led by Earthling Peter Quill (Star-Lord) and supported by the technical expertise of Rocket, the friendly plant-giant Groot, and the warriors Gamora and Drax, whose love-hate relationship provides entertaining banter, the team infiltrates the zone. Predictably, things do not go as planned, and the intergalactic police force, Nova Corp, demands a steep fine to be paid within three cycles, or face lengthy imprisonment.
Upon launching Guardians of the Galaxy on Xbox Series X, the game’s visual fidelity and craftsmanship are immediately apparent. Impressive lighting effects and expansive space environments create an immersive cosmic atmosphere. The opening sequence, where a young Peter listens to his Walkman in his room, invites extended exploration, revealing Starl-Lord’s CD collection (complete with lyrics!), video games, magazines, and a fantastic soundtrack featuring iconic artists from the 1980s (Billy Idol, Starship, A-ha). This quickly establishes the game as a treat for comic book enthusiasts and fans of the 70s and 80s.
The environments are imaginative and diverse, and a next-gen console is recommended to leverage the option of Full HD resolution at 60fps or enhanced detail in 4K (locked at 30fps). While a smoother, more responsive experience is typically preferred, the visual differences between the modes are noticeable. An intermediate mode similar to that of Spider-Man, offering ray tracing with slightly reduced detail while maintaining a high frame rate (around 60fps), would have been a welcome addition.
The audio design is exceptional. Beyond the previously mentioned soundtrack (with an option to disable licensed music for streaming purposes), the voice acting is outstanding. While the actors may not be immediately recognizable, they perfectly embody their characters and create an authentic atmosphere of camaraderie and playful bickering. The sound effects and surround sound are expertly implemented, and the game provides built-in calibration tools for optimal speaker placement. This is top-tier audio design.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, Guardians of the Galaxy is a conventional third-person action-adventure game with exploration, simple puzzles, platforming elements, and battles. The combat system, however, detracts from the otherwise enjoyable experience. While not inherently flawed, the battles are often chaotic, requiring players to manage numerous buttons while controlling Star-Lord, issuing commands to teammates (each with unique special attacks), and monitoring multiple meters in real-time. When the screen is filled with enemies and visual cues indicating imminent attacks, the gameplay devolves into a hack-and-slash style, rather than a strategic endeavor. A turn-based mode, reminiscent of Dragon Age: Inquisition, allowing players to analyze enemies and issue commands in turn, would have significantly improved the combat. As it stands, the battles can be unnecessarily difficult and frustrating.
Despite its shortcomings in combat, Guardians of the Galaxy is a highly entertaining and well-crafted game. Its humorous writing and impressive presentation rival those of Marvel’s films. A PS5, Xbox Series X, or modern PC is recommended to fully appreciate its visual fidelity. If you own one of these platforms and enjoy the genre and the Marvel series, you can expect one of the year’s most enjoyable gaming experiences.
