Telltale's Guardians of the Galaxy review - Is there hope for the galaxy?

Guardians of the Galaxy is a tough act to follow at the best of times, but when Telltale takes up its second space adventure (its first being the absolutely epic Tales From the Borderlands) it's hard not to have high expectations.

This is the grey area of the first episode. You're kinda just getting into it, so you've just got to give it the benefit of the doubt... at least, that's what you tell yourself.

While Episode One: Tangled Up in Blue has its problems, it also has its charm and isn't afraid to shy away from a direct film-rip in order to stand on its own two feet.

Let me Drax you a question

Guardians of the Galaxy throws you right back into the pilot's seat as you join Star-Lord, Gamora, Rocket, Drax, and Groot when the Nova Corp call for their aid against the purple titan, Thanos.

Though you're plunged right into the action, there's a nod here from the cinematic GotG universe as Peter dances around his ship to "Why Can't I Touch it?" by the Buzzcocks. Before chaos ensues, that is.

After the battle's completion, the team discover the Infinity Forge, an ancient artefact with some pretty intense powers, and ultimately run into a band of the few remaining Kree in the universe. Obviously, they're not the friendliest lot.

First and foremost, the soundtrack and voice acting is really top-notch. It's always pretty weird adjusting to something when you're used to the cinematic version, but the actors do a great job in portraying the characters.

Scott Porter especially does Peter Quill justice in a difficult role to play, as does Nolan North in his practically perfect portrayal of Rocket Raccoon.

The attention to the character's relationships and backstories is also pretty enjoyable. It lets you understand that the Guardians aren't always going to get along.

Some of them really rub each other up the wrong way, and Peter Quill is the cure to those scraps.

The finger-clicking action sequences, though limited, are also a nice addition to Telltale's usual point-and-click narrative. With mixtures of shift-combinations, double mouse clicking, and reaction-based elements, the fights certainly keep you on your feet.

Quill, Quill, Quill...that was eventful

There are issues with the game, both in performance and general structure, there's no dancing around that.

Aside from frame-rate drops, the story's pacing at times feels a little off, and it has a few moments where the music suddenly cuts out or fluctuates in volume.

It also can't be ignored that the dialogue for whatever reason does feel stiff at times, and with every joke that does land there are a few that don't. But, again, the voice actors do a great job at keeping everything moving past the bum notes.

As you probably could have expected from a Telltale title by now, a lot of its choices/decisions end up either obvious or underwhelming.

However, as Tangled Up in Blue is merely a taster to the season, it'll be exciting to see how deep the menial ripples spread.

Gamora that, please

Overall, Guardians of the Galaxy's first episode is an interesting introduction to the series.

Pushing past a few dodgy moments and some tumbleweed humour, there's definitely promise behind the scenes, from talented voice acting to enjoyable action scenes.

It doesn't leave you with the same excited feeling and hunger for the next episode like you feel in Tales from the Borderlands, The Wolf Among Us, The Walking Dead S1, or even Batman, but it still asks questions that you want answered.

Telltale's Guardians of the Galaxy review - Is there hope for the galaxy?

Though it has some dodgy dialogue and performance issues, Guardians of the Galaxy, episode one, is an interesting introduction to the series
Score
Emily Sowden
Emily Sowden
Emily is Pocket Gamer's News Editor and writes about all kinds of game-related things. She needs coffee to function and begrudgingly loves her Switch more than she lets on.