Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series
- April 17, 2017
- Telltale Games
- 15h median play time
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series Season 1 is another fantastic adventure for fans of Guardians of the Galaxy and those who love great stories
"Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series" is a five-part episodic game where players take on the role of Star-Lord, leading the Guardians in a quest for an artifact of immense power. With a focus on story and player choice, each decision driven adventure unfolds to the beat of awesome music, putting you at the helm of the Milano and pitting you against ruthless enemies. This game includes access to all five action-packed episodes.
Reviews
- Engaging story with humor and emotional depth that captures the essence of the Guardians of the Galaxy characters.
- Strong voice acting and a great soundtrack featuring classic '70s and '80s music.
- Decisions feel impactful, with character relationships evolving based on player choices.
- Graphics and animations can feel clunky and dated compared to other modern games.
- Some players experienced bugs and performance issues, particularly with frame rates and game freezes.
- The pacing can be slow at times, especially in the earlier episodes, leading to moments of boredom.
- story875 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its humor, character development, and emotional depth, while others criticize it for being predictable and lacking impactful choices. The narrative is engaging and offers a unique take on the beloved characters, but some feel it doesn't reach the heights of previous Telltale titles, often feeling repetitive or slow-paced. Overall, it provides a fun, interactive experience for fans of the franchise, though it may not satisfy everyone looking for a deeply immersive story.
“Get ready for a story that puts the "tail" in Telltale, as you guide Star-Lord and the gang through a narrative so heartwarming, it'll make you forget that Groot is essentially just a talking tree with a limited vocabulary.”
“The writing team has crafted a story that works equally well for newcomers to the characters as for dyed-in-the-wool fans, and whether you play true to established character or true to you, the experience is equally rewarding.”
“The story is surprisingly poignant with all of the characters in the Guardians of the Galaxy crew having a journey to let go of the past.”
“There's barely any decision to make and I couldn't tell if my choices changed the story all that much.”
“By Telltale standards, this game's story is pretty bland and depends on the Guardians of the Galaxy movies too much.”
“The story line is very repetitive in each episode.”
- music312 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series" has received widespread acclaim, with many praising its nostalgic 70s and 80s soundtrack that aligns well with the films. While some reviews noted a reliance on lesser-known tracks and occasional repetition, the overall sentiment is that the soundtrack enhances the game's atmosphere and storytelling, making it a standout feature. Many players expressed a desire for a full soundtrack release, highlighting the music as a key reason to engage with the game.
“As expected, a great soundtrack.”
“Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series is probably one of my favorite games Telltale has ever done with great music choices and a pretty solid story.”
“Great characters, tough decisions, great story and the best soundtrack, ever!”
“The music that plays throughout the game is also fine but the budget really shows since most of the song choices are all from B or C-list bands, and each song gets used multiple times throughout the game.”
“A**holes of the Galaxy is a weak game with a really weak storyline, tons of loading, weak gameplay, and a weak soundtrack that tries to replicate the soundtrack from the movies. I had hoped that this one was going to be as good as the Borderlands one; unfortunately, I was very disappointed with the lack of polish and the weak story.”
“It's ugly, the voice acting is spotty, music and sound cues are inconsistent, the dialogue is painfully unfunny, and the action scenes are awkward.”
- humor253 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for capturing the essence of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, featuring witty dialogue and memorable character interactions that evoke laughter and emotional responses. While many players find the humor to be engaging and reminiscent of the films, some note that it can be hit or miss, with varying effectiveness across different moments. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with action and emotional depth, making it a fun experience for fans of the series.
“But don't let the humor fool you—this game packs more emotional punches than a Drax metaphysical monologue.”
“An amazingly hilarious game, captures the Guardians perfectly.”
“The humor is very reflective of the type of humor that we got to see in the Guardians of the Galaxy movie and the dialogue really makes you feel like you're a part of the story.”
“All the characters in the game were spot on, but the 'Star Lord' character was plain and not funny enough for me.”
“Very boring, not funny, not dynamic.”
“It's ugly, the voice acting is spotty, music and sound cues are inconsistent, the dialogue is painfully unfunny, and the action scenes are awkward.”
- graphics133 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the improved visual fidelity and art style, while others criticize the outdated engine, bland environments, and blocky animations. Many players appreciate the colorful aesthetics and character designs, but performance issues and graphical inconsistencies detract from the overall experience. Overall, while there are notable improvements, the graphics still fall short of modern standards, leaving some players disappointed.
“Very good graphics for a Telltale game!”
“The graphics are awesome..they actually fit in very well with the story..the soundtrack is perfect.”
“The gameplay is awesome and really immerses you in the game; the graphics are off the charts and the way this story is told makes me wanna come back and play over and over again!!”
“I wasn't expecting a graphical powerhouse, but the environments look bland, the character models are okay at best, and the animations are blocky.”
“Unfortunately, the graphics performance of the game wasn't the best.”
“The graphics are the only downside and gripe I have about the game.”
- gameplay129 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this Telltale title is characterized by minimal interaction, primarily involving walking, dialogue choices, and quick time events, which some players find repetitive and lacking innovation. While the story and character development are praised, many reviews note that the gameplay feels more like a passive experience akin to watching a movie, with little evolution from previous Telltale games. Despite some new mechanics and polished graphics, the overall consensus is that the gameplay remains a secondary focus, overshadowed by the narrative elements.
“The gameplay is awesome and really immerses you in the game; the graphics are off the charts and the way this story is told makes me want to come back and play over and over again!”
“But, everything about this one just works: the awesome music, the refreshed gameplay mechanics (nothing groundbreaking, but at least something new) and the unpredictable storyline make this a winner even after just the first episode.”
“Gameplay includes riddles and a lot of quick time events; well, that's what makes the Telltale series fantastic.”
“Regardless of who you bring back from the dead, they will be gone and out of the way for the majority of season 2, just as The Walking Dead: Season Two and especially The Walking Dead: A New Frontier show that you always have to reset to the status quo for gameplay reasons.”
“The gameplay is typical Telltale fare, walk around and pick up or examine items to solve 'puzzles', etc. There is the addition of a sort of communication system you can use to speak with other members of the Guardians during certain segments via earpiece, but if you're in the middle of a conversation and decide to examine something (like a totally useless rock that takes four seconds to look at), you'll end the conversation prematurely and won't be able to start it back up again unless you reload a save.”
“Amazing storytelling, paired with one of the worst gameplay experiences I've ever slogged through in my entire life.”
- emotional118 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt storytelling, character backstories, and impactful choices that resonate deeply with players. Many reviewers noted the balance of humor and drama, leading to moments that evoke laughter and tears alike, making it an emotional rollercoaster experience. However, some critiques mention that certain emotional stakes feel undermined by narrative choices, yet the overall sentiment remains that the game successfully engages players on an emotional level.
“Now, the heart-wrenching, powerful, impactful, emotional flashbacks will hit you harder than a raccoon with a vengeance.”
“There is some truly touching dialogue between the characters as we watch both their origins and their interactions with others unfold.”
“I love the characters, the choices are more emotional and tear deep into the core of who I am than I ever thought possible and as far as I can tell your decisions actually matter.”
“This is such a boring story, I couldn't make myself reach the end of it.”
“Telltale's games are known mostly for their cinematic story-based gameplay where you can pick one of four things to say and how it will go wrong (or possibly right). Most of the time, it still ends up pretty much the same near the end, but other than that, they really do tell a good, practically linear story. You can expect a full 5-hour story to last approximately 8 hours, which is fairly decent for a game that you can get on sale for about $13 or less.”
- character development27 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has been highly praised, with reviewers noting that it rivals the storytelling found in the MCU's Guardians films. Players appreciate the depth and evolution of relationships among the characters, particularly as they navigate diverging paths and make impactful choices. Despite some criticism of character design, the emotional engagement and growth of the characters have left a lasting impression on players.
“With the focus being on the character development, I finally found myself to care about most of them.”
“I enjoyed episode 1 and thought the character development between the guardians was great, especially when they worked together in fights.”
“Now this is what a Telltale game should be; diverging paths with bigger decisions, character development, proper story development, and real choices I'm actually agonizing over and re-thinking right now.”
“There's a few colorful moments here and there, but the textures for everything look so muddy and, barring the guardians themselves, most of the character designs range from same-face to straight up ugly or generic.”
“Episode 3: in this episode, the character development shifts from Rocket to Gamora and her sister. Maybe Telltale wants to fill in the story with each of the Guardian members? I dunno.”
“While it still suffers from the same clunky control scheme, the character development between each of the Guardians is a fascinating rollercoaster to experience.”
- stability26 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- -4 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous players reporting frequent glitches, game-breaking bugs, and save problems that hinder gameplay. While some users experienced minimal issues, many highlighted specific episodes, particularly episode 3, as particularly problematic. Overall, the game's stability appears inconsistent, with a mix of frustrating technical difficulties and occasional smooth performance.
“The episode runs great without any issues on my end, so I'm not sure what others are complaining about.”
“Overall, the game has been stable and enjoyable, with no significant problems during my playthrough.”
“I experienced no crashes or bugs, making for a smooth gaming experience.”
“Too buggy to play and it seems that it was never finished properly.”
“It is riddled with game-breaking glitches and bugs.”
“It is absolutely riddled with bugs, and framerate issues, along with buggy controls.”
- optimization20 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with players reporting frequent frame drops and stuttering, particularly during key scenes, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite having decent hardware, many users found the performance lacking, describing it as poorly optimized. While the captivating story and strong voice acting were praised, the technical issues were a notable downside.
“Only one or two negatives, mainly around performance, the occasional jerky scene but easily ignored when the game is so captivating.”
“+great performance (tested 1080p, 2k and 4k)”
“[Strong writing, great characters and performances. An interesting story where your choices actually matter. Fantastic soundtrack. Largely good animation work. Gameplay works well.]”
“A game like this, should you have a decent PC, should not have performance like this.”
“It's not optimized very well at all.”
“I experienced quite a few frame drops during episodes 2, 3, 4, and 5, for no reason whatsoever, and there was a lot of stuttering during important scenes throughout the entirety of the game, which was incredibly distracting.”
- atmosphere20 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and enjoyable qualities, effectively capturing the essence of the Guardians of the Galaxy as seen in the films. The superb voice acting and carefully selected music enhance the experience, making it feel both authentic and engaging, even if some players noted a loss of fun in certain moments. Overall, it successfully replicates the beloved atmosphere of the franchise, appealing to fans of the movies.
“The voice acting was nothing short of superb and the whole experience was really atmospheric and immersive.”
“Definitely one of the better Telltale games, captures that Guardians of the Galaxy atmosphere perfectly.”
“The atmosphere with the carefully picked music in the right moments was a delight.”
“The fact that you're playing as Quill is a nice feeling, and they've tried to replicate the atmosphere from the movie relatively well and succeeded for the most part.”
“It captures the atmosphere you expect from the Guardians; the voice acting is great, and I think I prefer these characters to the ones in the movies by a lot more.”
- grinding18 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game can be quite tedious and boring, reminiscent of typical MMO grind mechanics. While some puzzles are enjoyable, others, particularly in later episodes, feel overly repetitive and detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game features strong music, graphics, and voice acting that are overshadowed by the slow pacing and grindy elements.
“That's not saying it needs work, it's tedious and can be boring at times.”
“Great music, decent graphics, believable voice acting is all for nought in a Telltale game if the plot is slow and tedious.”
“A lot of the puzzles in GOTG are actually quite fun to do, but a few of them - especially one in the final section for episode 3 - were incredibly tedious and I breathed a sigh of relief after completing each one and progressing the story.”
- replayability16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game offers strong replayability, primarily due to its branching storylines and multiple endings that encourage players to explore different choices and outcomes. Many reviewers noted that the ability to revisit the game for varied dialogues and cutscenes enhances its replay value, making it one of the most replayable titles in the Telltale series. However, some players expressed a desire for a skip cutscene feature to further improve the experience during subsequent playthroughs.
“Lot's of ways for the game to end which gives it good replay value.”
“It also feels like the most replayable Telltale game ever.”
“Good replayability, plan to beat the game a few times more with different choices.”
“Having a skip cutscene feature would make their games 100x more replayable, because the only reason to replay this game is to choose different options and see the different cutscenes and dialogues.”
“It feels like the most replayable Telltale game ever.”
“Replayability is present, as it's a Telltale game, so it has replayability value not only to see different outcomes of decisions but also to enjoy the game again.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is perceived as a quick cash grab, lacking the depth and excitement found in other franchises like Batman. Reviewers express disappointment in the overall quality and entertainment value, suggesting that it fails to justify its financial model.
“Really, this feels mediocre and a quick cash grab.”
“I was hoping it would at least come to par with Batman, where they changed a lot of major storylines and plot points to make the story exciting, but Guardians just isn't as recognizable with only two movies and a few comics from the 80s... just a great big cash grab with very little humor or entertainment.”
Critic Reviews
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series – Season 1 Review
Telltale prove again that they can master any property they get their hands on.
80%Guardians of the Galaxy Review
Telltale has barely changed their interactive story approach for Guardians of the Galaxy, but that’s not such a bad thing. With a solid application of humor, fun combat sequences, and a well-realised cast, they have forged a bold space adventure.
73%Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series Review - Groot Quit
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series is a pretty large misstep for the developer despite a few good moments.
50%