GuarDianS Of THe gaLaxY Episode One
Not Rocket science
released OUT NOW! Format reviewed Ps4
Also on Xbox One, PC, mobile Publisher Telltale Games
Videogame From the opening scene of this first episode (“Tangled Up In Blue”), in which a wisecracking Peter Quill grooves to the Buzzcocks’s “Why Can’t I Touch It?”, it’s clear that Telltale Games loved 2014’s Guardians Of
The Galaxy movie. That’s not a bad thing, but the studio’s take on the titular band of misfits draws so heavily from the stylings of its cinematic counterpart that it struggles to establish its own identity. This shouldn’t be confused with a movie tie-in game, as it’s an original story set in a separate universe, which ends its first act with a fantastic subversion of Marvel canon.
However, what follows is a retreading of familiar ground, whereby inspired storytelling takes a backseat to fan service: the discovery of a mysterious relic, a trip to Knowhere, run-ins with the Collector and the Nova Corps… there’s even a cheeky reference to Footloose.
To its credit, Episode One sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the group’s compatibility when there’s no common enemy to unite them, and interactions between characters are a highlight that we’d like to see more of.
This is also Telltale’s bestlooking and smoothest-playing title to date. There are rich textures and impressive character design, while the usual bouts of Telltale animation jank are a rarity.
We’re left cautiously optimistic for Telltale’s first foray into the Marvel universe, but the story needs to shift up a gear if this series is to escape the shadow of its big-screen brother. Alex Avard
The first act ends with a fantastic subversion
The fragmented lyrics of Bob Dylan’s “Tangled Up In Blue” were influenced by his 73-year-old art teacher.