Should I buy Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy?

They are one of the oddest teams to ever assemble, but they are definitely not The Avengers. Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot are Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, and they do not disappoint.

A story out of a comic book

Your first impression will likely be that you're playing a comic book. From the rapid-fire shooting to the quiet moments of understanding, this story will not leave you wanting.

Twelve years have passed since Thanos led a galactic war alongside the Chitauri. Drax had "killed" the Mad Titan, just as he does in the comics, but each Guardian played their part in the war. Players are regularly reminded of this conflict as their character, Star-Lord, attempts to unify his team of Guardians.

The Guardians won't work together easily, though. Aside from Rocket and Groot, they all have grievances against one another. Despite their grievances, the immersive storytelling makes you truly care about the characters and want to save them all.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

There are a lot of choices in Guardians of the Galaxy. Some completely change the story, others alter how Star-Lord reacts to situations. Regardless, the choices and their branching effects are handled better than they were in any Telltale game. Your actions and the way you speak are not necessarily right or wrong: they're just choices—and your team adjusts to how you handle yourself.

You will be asked to make several key decisions based on what you do as a leader. Some of them deal with how you handle a mission, who to listen to, or whether your team is cheery or depressed when life gets hard.

Tactical combat that's incredibly fast-paced

The game's tactical combat feels more action-packed than tactical. After the game shows you how to play, the pace of combat rapidly accelerates. It can be hard at times to tell the Guardians what to do and survive blaster fire. However, using your brain for more than just shooting and dodging will help you win your fights more easily, and the experience is that much more rewarding.

The Guardians will fight on their own, but they rely on you for guidance on when to use their powers. You direct the team—both when fighting and not fighting—and it's a huge responsibility. Your ability to direct your team effectively will determine your combat experience in the game. Everyone works together, but you decide how and when.

Not Open World

Guardians offers a pretty linear map, but this serves the moment-to-moment beats rather than becoming a hinderance. That said, the game features secret passages, hidden collectibles, and obstacles, balancing gamified elements with a narrative-driven experience.

A Great Soundtrack

Although many would consider it dated, I look at it as old but gold. Some oldies mesh so well with fighting or relaxing that I often forgot about their age. The soundtrack includes a dozen hits made by Eidos Montréal themselves as part of their "Star-Lord" band. It took a lot of effort to make this soundtrack fit with the tone—and it rocks.

Verdict - Buy it now!

You'll have a great time with Guardians of the Galaxy if you enjoy a good story and fast-paced action. It's like a Marvel movie that knows when to speed up and when to slow down. If you buy it, you won't regret it. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is one of the best games of the year.