AC9: Random Video Game Review - Marvel's Guardian's of the Galaxy

 

Not all that long ago, I did a review of Square Enix's first Marvel game which was based on the Avengers. It was not the best game in the world as it had story issues and a look that was trying to be like the MCU Avengers, but looked ugly. That and the game struggled with my PC hardware which didn't bold well. So here is their next game which looks similar based on the trailers, but is otherwise a very different game. Since the 2014 film, people have come to know and love the Guardians of the Galaxy as being the sort of misfit western space heroes that you just love more than hate. People are more familiar with the 2008 team (minus two members from the comics) over the original 1969 team because the former was the basis for the MCU version of the intergalactic heroes. This is either going to be another awesome adventure with a kick a** soundtrack or an epic fail. Either way, let's take a look:

The game's events are set several years after a massive interstellar war that has left a devastating mark on the galaxy of which the team and others are wanting to exploit. But what seems to be a harmless bet on the matter between two members of the team, sets in motion a series of events that threaten the peace of the fragile universe at large. Players assume control of Star-Lord (voiced by Jon McLaren) from a third person perspective as you utilize his elemental guns to defeat enemies and fly using his jet boots. An AI controls the rest of the team which comprises of Gamora (voiced by Kimberly-Sue Murray), Drax (voiced by Jason Cavalier), Groot (voiced by Robert Montcalm) and Rocket Racoon (voiced by Alex Weiner), although the player can issue commands during combat. As expected, each member has their own unique set of skills and abilities that can be chained together to create some interesting combos during combat. As you fight enemies, a meter will build up which once full will allow Star-Lord to boost himself and everyone's attributes via a motivational speech and song that goes right. Dialogue tress occur throughout the game that can affect Star-Lord's relationships with his team and also be key in decision-making.

The first thing I like about this game is unlike the Avengers game, the developers decided to make the characters be how they envisioned them rather than be based on a version that already exists. This is good because I find if you make a game based on something that already exists, you should make it your own. This is why franchises such as the Batman: Arkham games work so well because it does its own thing even when it looks like it's trying to follow a well known story that already exists. As for the soundtrack, its as awesome as I would expect it to be (though I'm not all that keen on "Holding On For a Hero" unless its the Shrek 2 version) and the game overall is nearly everything you would expect for a Guardians of the Galaxy game. Goofy, funny and full of action with a few heartfelt moments too. I say nearly because the combat is repetitive, and button mashing is not all it's cracked up to be. But yeah a good game featuring our favourite space heroes and hopefully the next Marvel projects that Square Enix are working on, continues to be as good as this was. 9/10