Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Xbox Series X Review
| Game: | Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Square Enix |
| Developer: |
After the multiplayer focused Avengers game from Square Enix, you’d think that perhaps another team-based superhero game from the company would also have some sort of multiplayer component. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is the latest superhero game from said company, although it’s a completely single player affair.
Peter Quill, Drax, Rocket and Gamora all feature in the game, but the only character that you have full control over is that of Quill, the leader of the team. This means that there isn’t a single section featured in the game in which you take over the control of another character, although the developer has given you the opportunity to be the leader, commanding Drax, Rocket and Gamora to pull off their special abilities, while they otherwise fight alongside you independently. The abilities have to cooldown once you have used them, and each character will have four of these by the end of the game.
Fighting is pleasingly tactical in the way that Quill’s sidearms allow you to switch between elements over the course of the game, while also making use of his visor to understand the weaknesses of enemies. Bigger foes have a stagger bar, and when this is filled (Drax’s abilities are the quickest way to achieve this) it’s a good way to deal out extra damage as you continue your assault. In another nice touch, environmental interactions allow team members to get involved, adding in even more strategy, and combat is also all about momentum, which allows for extra team attacks against specific enemies if you continue to fight with style and variation.
The Guardians are also able to huddle up in which you are able to motivate your team by choosing what to say to them (background text gives you an idea as to how to approach the conversation), resulting in a handy buff as well as a licensed 80s song to fight to, although if you say something that doesn’t suit, then only Quill will earn the buff. It’s all very fitting to the comedic tone of the game.
As good as the fighting is, some of it does feel as if it goes on for a little too long, particularly in the later stages of the game when enemy after enemy is sent your way.
Quill as well as the rest of the team are upgradeable, with four abilities each to unlock through skill points that are eventually earned in combat. Also, at workbenches you are also able to unlock perks for the leader, thanks to the services of team member Rocket the Racoon, whom does this through materials that you find on your otherworldly travels.
There’s a number of colourful planets to explore, and the tight level designs, while generally linear, are a joy to explore (with the occasional puzzle along the way, which makes use of team members, often in combination) and fight your way through, and whether played in 30fps in its resolution or ray tracing mode or 60fps in its performance mode, it’s also a beautiful game. The frame-rate can drop from time to time, however, which is a shame when it comes to the generally smooth action.
The narrative is also a success thanks to its humor, and there’s even some more emotive moments, and everything is bolstered by excellent performances from the voice actors. The heroes are attempting to get out of debt, but also have to attempt to save the galaxy after Quill after things go awry. You are able to interact with your team throughout the story, and you are also able to make some choices which will affect the narrative every now and then.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is a lovingly made superhero game. There’s much to like across its 15+ hours in terms of its characterful story, its slick and tactical action, as well as its impressively cobbled together level design. This is a game that deserved more attention than what it received initially, and I just hope it will earn its success over time.
