Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy has a rich history comprised of comic books, graphic novels, animated shows and blockbuster movies in its repertoire. Even with all that material, there has previously only been one other instance of a Guardians of the Galaxy-focused game. Now, that’s no longer the case. During its presentation at E3 2021, Square Enix finally unveiled the Guardians of the Galaxy game that was leaked back in 2017. Developed by Eidos-Montréal, players will be taking control of Star-Lord, also known as Peter Quill, in a quest to save the galaxy with his misfit team of heroes-for-hire. Although they would all make for outstanding protagonists, players control Peter, the Guardians’ de facto leader, and only Peter.
The Guardians, comprised of Peter, Gamora, Rocket Racoon, Drax the Destroyer and Groot, are warriors from the farthest reaches of space, each possessing rich origins and diverse characteristics. These versions of the Guardians evoke the essence of the characters instead of drawing upon specific iterations and, by extension, dissuading players from experiencing the uncanny valley effect. Since this reveal, many have already begun to ask, “why not play as all of them?” Although this is a salient question, there is much to learn from the gameplay demos and story trailers. It appears that one of the primary focuses of the game are the relationships that develop between Peter and the team.
The Guardians’ Leadership Dynamic
Throughout the demo, multiple conversations show that what Peter says dictates how his team feels about him, their mission and each other. Out of combat actions performed by the player exhibit clear and measurable effects on the party. In a scene where Peter encourages Drax to throw Rocket across a clearing, players see that the decision makes Rocket furious. This mechanic introduces a whole new element into the gameplay with, potentially, story-altering consequences.
Controlling Peter alone will offer players an exciting opportunity previously only seen in the RPG genre, which contrasts with many existing licensed titles where choices are often irrelevant. The showcase reveals that Quill will have multiple dialogue options in arguments or conversations throughout the game, where players must take the team’s feelings into account before settling the issue. This feature will offer players a unique dynamic where they may have to monitor interpersonal relationships.
The Guardians’ Combat Dynamic
In combat, Quill appears to direct the other Guardians in complex maneuvers. While commanding them on the battlefield by providing orders, Quill’s vastly superior mobility offers him an advantage in surveying the field and making strategic suggestions as fights progress. Although they battle autonomously, Quill can utilize the team’s unique abilities in fast-paced combat through quick-time events.
In tandem with this mechanic, this choice in gameplay offers a much richer and more focused story where attention does not need to split as often. Peter is the only human on the team. He is the heart of the Guardians, a character that players can more easily relate to, providing an opportunity for a far more engaging and emotional story. Oversaturating the adventure with too many running perspectives could easily take away from a powerful singular tale of a man trying to find his place in the universe with his team.
The Guardians’ Social Dynamic
Whether demonstrated by gameplay or cutscenes, viewers have witnessed an incredible amount of banter and dialogue between the Guardians, which sells their characterization and helps establish Peter’s place as a part of the team. In a post from Senior Creative Director Jean-François Dugas from Eidos-Montréal, he stated that “you can expect a lot of laughs and touching moments – our writing team had tons of fun. But in true Guardians spirit, we also wanted to capture what it’s like for a ragtag group of misfits to become family.” This is successful due in part to the banter being focused through Peter’s perspective.
Ultimately, there is a lot to look forward to. The adventure seems to be a rich, character-driven story that could prove to be as emotional as it is exhilarating. Equally engaging is the fast-paced combat with engaging team dynamics that don’t halt gameplay momentum. Players could be looking at a standout experience with a lot of engaging humor, fantastical worlds and a tale that will stay with them for years.
About The Author
