​Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy - Episode 1: Tangled up in Blue Review

By Kevin Mitchell  |  Posted: April 27, 2017

Marvel struck gold when it chose to adapt the ragtag group of characters from the Guardians of the Galaxy comic into a feature film. The characters weren't well known to the casual comic book or Marvel fan base, and forming them into a team turned into one of Marvel Comics' best ideas in the past decade. Although the first episode of Telltale Games' latest episodic series is based on the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, it is closely tied to the comic book series and not the 2014 film or the upcoming sequel. However, releasing the first episode mere weeks before Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was definitely a deliberate marketing strategy. Not to mention, some personality from the movies seems to have crept into the characters as well. With that said, Tangled Up in Blue is one of the best opening episodes across all of Telltale's previously released IPs.

Character interaction has always been a hallmark of Telltale's games, and in Episode One, the game focuses on Peter Quill, who you may also know as the legendary outlaw Star-Lord. It doesn't take long before the game's action-packed opening sends us along a course that will forever shake the team to its foundation. There are certainly a few surprises along the way, but Tangled Up in Blue shines by setting the stage for the rest of the series. That's not to say that nothing happens, as some colossal events do occur. I don't want to spoil anything, but I can promise you I didn't see the outcome coming for at least two of them.

We get a better look into Peter's past and his relationship with his mother, with whom you have some interesting dialogue choices that may affect later episodes. Rocket Raccoon, the weapon and technology expert of the group, is growing tired of his role and decides he is only doing things for the money, while Gamora, who has changed her ways, elects to be lawfully good. Considering the varying points of view, it doesn't take long before contention between the crew occurs, and you are stuck in the middle, forced to pick a side. The other two characters, Groot and Drax, don't have much of a role in this episode.

Telltale's game engine has already been showing its age and is certainly well overdue for some upgrades. While I found the texture work and characters to be pleasing, the stuttering/hitching that has plagued their games for quite some time is still prevalent. While it has improved since the first couple seasons of The Walking Dead, we shouldn't see such frequent stuttering every time the scene changes. While it wasn't a detriment to the gameplay, it became more of an annoyance that the screen froze ever so slightly during action scenes. The game is certainly more geared towards action than previous titles, and you'll be pulling the trigger for Star-Lord's weapons against dozens of enemies, using your rocket-powered boots, and performing quick-time events. His time scanner, seen during the opening of the movie, comes into play as well, allowing you to do a little bit of detective work. You're also able to use your voice communication devices to chat with the rest of the crew while you are exploring. It's a neat touch that adds to the enjoyment of the game, especially hearing the characters banter back and forth.

Simply Put

Telltale games are all about narrative choices and living with the consequences. Episode One does tend to feel linear, especially after multiple playthroughs led to the same conclusion, however, that doesn't mean your choices won't change things in later episodes. There are a handful of major choices that should affect the overall narrative. There are also several Easter eggs regarding the universe and characters outside of the Guardians that some may miss if they rush through the game. With that said, the old-school music selections in the game are enjoyable, as is the solid voice acting with its funny dialogue sequences.