Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series - Episode One: Tangled Up in Blue (PC) Review

Credit where it's due: Tangled Up in Blue nails its characters. Despite using designs that have been modified (compared to the films) to fit with Telltale's colourful art style, the voices are what really sell it. In particular, Nolan North delivers a performance as Rocket Raccoon that could easily be used if Bradley Cooper ever decides to pass on the role. The soundtrack is also on point, with various licensed tracks that sound like they would be right at home on one of Star-Lord's mix-tapes. However, the appearances and animations of some of the characters leave something to be desired. Specifically, Peter Quill just looks...off. His presence was far more bearable whenever he donned his iconic mask, but a Chris Pratt surrogate this is not.

The story deals with the Guardians coming to the realization that they have made the galaxy a far safer place; so safe that they may no longer be necessary. Some are in favour of solitary vacation time, while others attempt to hold the dysfunctional family together. In theory, it seems ripe for some major decisions. Will you piss off a squadmate so much that they abandon the team altogether? Will you change the Guardians from a crew of heroes to a gang of vigilante bounty hunters?

Well, wouldn't that be good to know. That's the problem: the episode is all set-up and no pay-off. Granted, as an introductory episode to a five-part series, a certain amount of groundwork must be laid. However, there also should be enough there to hook in the audience, and Guardians sadly falls flat in that regard. There's too much of a disconnect between the action on-screen and the player's choices. Many dialogue options that seemingly should take things in a different direction instead result in one or two changed lines before the plot magically veers back on track. Most of the quicktime events don't even matter in the grand scheme of things; failing them simply causes Peter to be a little clumsier in his actions. It lends a feeling of futility to one's actions, whereas previous Telltale games have done an excellent job of placing immense weight on them.