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78

CRITIK

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Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy

2021
GenresAdventure, Action, Third Person Perspective, Shooter, Comedy, RPG, Single Player
AvailableOct 26, 2021
PlatformXbox Series X, PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One
DeveloperEidos Montreal
Overview

Fire up a wild ride across the cosmos with a fresh take on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. In this action-adventure game, you are Star-Lord leading the unpredictable Guardians from one explosion of chaos to the next. You got this. Probably.

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Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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84

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

84

Positive (80-100)

89%

Mixed (50-79)

11%

Negative (0-49)

0%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy are overwhelmingly positive. The majority of the critics praised the game for its compelling and engaging narrative. They highlighted the humor, wit, and emotional depth of the story, which kept players invested throughout their playthrough. Critics like GAMES.CH, Power Unlimited, and Softpedia specifically mentioned the smart and clever writing of the story. They commended the game for capturing the personality of the Guardians and delivering an original and enjoyable narrative. The story was also praised for its exploration of themes such as loss, grief, and mental health, as mentioned by GAMINGbible and KeenGamer. The narrative was described as tightly woven, with decision-making processes that could tweak the overall outcome, according to Daily Star. The story's focus on character emotions and relationships was also highlighted by Noisy Pixel. While the majority of the critics praised the story, there were a few criticisms raised. Game Rant mentioned that the story leaned on the Marvel Cinematic Universe a little too heavily at times, and some pacing issues were present. PC Invasion noted that the narrative could drag and go on too long, with pacing that felt padded to extend the runtime. However, these criticisms were relatively minor compared to the overall positive reception of the story. In conclusion, the critics' opinions indicate that the story of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is highly regarded. The majority of the critics found the narrative to be compelling, engaging, and well-written. The story's humor, emotional depth, and exploration of themes were praised by multiple critics. While there were some minor criticisms regarding the reliance on the MCU and pacing issues, these did not overshadow the overall positive consensus. The game's story was described as excellent, enjoyable, and a standout feature of the game, as supported by critics such as ZTGD, Impulsegamer, and Washington Post. Overall, the positive reception of the story suggests that it is a major strength of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics overwhelmingly praise the engaging and well-written narrative of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, highlighting its humor, emotional depth, and exploration of themes like loss and mental health. While some critics noted pacing issues and reliance on the MCU, these were minor compared to the overall positive reception. The story's focus on character emotions and relationships stood out as a major strength, making it a standout feature of the game.

72

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

72

Positive (80-100)

17%

Mixed (50-79)

83%

Negative (0-49)

0%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy are diverse, with both positive and negative aspects highlighted. In terms of positives, several critics praised the combat mechanics and strategic elements of the gameplay. Game Informer mentioned that the combat takes a while to warm up but eventually becomes enjoyable, with strategic combat and teamwork mechanics. Xbox Achievements described the combat as fast, frenetic, and fun, with enjoyable traversal and platforming. Impulsegamer also commended the game for offering strategic combat and enjoyable gameplay mechanics. These positive comments indicate that the gameplay provides engaging and dynamic combat experiences. However, there were also some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. One common criticism was the lack of variety in combat. Gfinity mentioned that combat can feel dry after a while, and there is a craving to play as other characters for variety. KeenGamer also noted the lack of variety in combat as a downside. Another criticism was the controls. GAMINGbible mentioned that the mechanics can be messy and abilities can be difficult to activate. Player 2 criticized the controls for being messy and the target-lock while shooting not being fantastic. These negative comments suggest that the gameplay may lack depth and polish in certain areas. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy has its strengths and weaknesses. The combat system and strategic elements were generally praised, with critics like Game Rant and Comicbook.com highlighting the ability to make important decisions that impact the story. However, criticisms regarding the lack of combat variety and control issues were also prevalent. Despite these drawbacks, the overall sentiment seems to lean towards an enjoyable gameplay experience, as mentioned by critics like Daily Star and Noisy Pixel, who described the gameplay as frantic, spectacular, and enjoyable. It is important to note that individual preferences and playstyles may influence the overall experience, as highlighted by the diverse range of opinions from the critics.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics have mixed opinions on Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy gameplay. Positive reviews praise engaging combat mechanics and teamwork elements. However, some critics criticize the lack of combat variety and messy controls. Overall, the game offers dynamic combat experiences but may lack depth and polish in certain areas.

83

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

83

Positive (80-100)

78%

Mixed (50-79)

22%

Negative (0-49)

0%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the game for its impressive visuals, character designs, and attention to detail. GAMES.CH commends the game for its "impressive visuals and character designs," while Game Informer describes the worlds as having "wildly colored and oddly designed vistas" and the characters as "weird and visually impressive." The Daily Star also notes that the game looks "gorgeous" with a "humorous and visually impressive art style." These positive comments highlight the game's ability to create visually appealing and distinct worlds that capture the essence of the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. However, there were some criticisms regarding certain aspects of the graphics and visual design. Xbox Achievements mentions occasional frame rate issues in Performance Mode, while ZTGD points out the drastic drop in resolution in the performance mode. GamingTrend mentions that the gorgeous visuals are sometimes hidden by excessive artifacting or fuzziness, making it difficult to see what's happening in fights. Comicbook.com also notes the presence of visual bugs and issues that need to be fixed. These criticisms suggest that while the overall visual experience is impressive, there are some technical issues that detract from the game's visuals. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Graphics and Visual Design of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy are very good. The majority of the critics praised the game for its stunning visuals, attention to detail, and imaginative world design. Impulsegamer describes the game as having "amazing 3D worlds, impressive lighting, special effects, texture detail, and engaging animation," while Player 2 mentions the "phenomenal world design" and "incredible level of detail" in the character renderings. The positive feedback from multiple critics supports the notion that the game's graphics and visual design are a standout aspect of the overall experience. In conclusion, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy received high praise from critics for its Graphics and Visual Design. The game's impressive visuals, character designs, and attention to detail were widely appreciated. While there were some criticisms regarding technical issues and occasional frame rate problems, the overall consensus among the critics is that the game's graphics and visual design are very good. The positive feedback from the majority of the critics highlights the game's ability to create visually stunning and immersive worlds that capture the essence of the Guardians of the Galaxy universe.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics love the stunning visuals, character designs, and attention to detail in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy game. While some mentioned technical issues like frame rate drops and visual bugs, overall consensus is that the graphics are top-notch and enhance the immersive experience of exploring the Guardians of the Galaxy universe.

86

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

86

Positive (80-100)

88%

Mixed (50-79)

12%

Negative (0-49)

0%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the game for its fantastic '80s soundtrack, which features a mix of classic hits and original music for the fictional band Star-Lord. Gfinity, Daily Star, Gamers' Temple, Impulsegamer, KeenGamer, Noisy Pixel, Player 2, Siliconera, Softpedia, Nintendo Enthusiast, Pure Nintendo, and Ragequit.gr all highlighted the game's soundtrack as a standout feature. They mentioned that the licensed music tracks, drawn from '80s music, enhance the player's relation to the game and fit the tone perfectly. The creation of the Star-Lord Band with original songs was also praised as impressive. The voice acting was another aspect that received positive feedback, with critics like Xbox Achievements, ZTGD, Easy Allies, Impulsegamer, Player 2, PC Invasion, and Ragequit.gr commending the brilliant voice cast performances and the pitch-perfect portrayal of characters like Rocket, Drax, and Groot. The voiceovers were described as seamlessly combining with the graphics to provide an overall presentation of the highest standard. While the majority of critics had positive opinions about the Sound Design and Music of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, there were a few minor criticisms mentioned. Easy Allies pointed out audio mixing issues, which could potentially affect the overall experience. PC Invasion mentioned that Star-Lord's voice performance felt miscast and his cartoony performance undermined the proceedings. Siliconera also noted that the use of the DualSense controller's haptic feedback could be improved. However, these negative aspects were only mentioned by a small number of critics and did not significantly impact the overall positive reception of the sound design and music. In conclusion, the Sound Design and Music of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy received high praise from the majority of critics. The '80s soundtrack, featuring a mix of classic hits and original music for the fictional band Star-Lord, was a standout feature that enhanced the player's relation to the game and fit the tone perfectly. The voice acting performances were also highly regarded, with critics highlighting the brilliant voice cast and the seamless combination of voiceovers with the graphics. While there were a few minor criticisms mentioned, such as audio mixing issues and a miscast voice performance for Star-Lord, these did not detract from the overall positive consensus among the critics. Overall, the sound design and music of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy were considered very good by the majority of reviewers.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics overwhelmingly praise the '80s soundtrack and voice acting in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, with standout features like the licensed music tracks and impressive original songs for the fictional band Star-Lord. While some minor criticisms were noted, such as audio mixing issues and a miscast voice performance, the overall reception remains highly positive.

85

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

85

Positive (80-100)

83%

Mixed (50-79)

17%

Negative (0-49)

0%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the majority of critics. Many critics praised the voice performances, highlighting the excellent delivery and the ability of the voice actors to bring the characters to life. Easy Allies specifically mentioned that the voice cast deserves special praise, describing the performances as utterly brilliant. Gamers' Temple also commended the banter between the Guardians, stating that the dialog is well-written and entertaining, with each Guardian having their own distinct personality. The Washington Post noted that strong voice acting is one of the game's strengths, further emphasizing the positive reception towards the voice performances. While the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive, there were a few mixed opinions regarding the voice acting in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. Slant Magazine expressed some reservations, mentioning that while some characters sounded like their film counterparts, others did not. PC Invasion also had a slight critique, noting that Star-Lord's voice felt too goofy and his Canadian accent was jarring for the character from Missouri. However, these mixed opinions were in the minority and did not significantly impact the overall positive reception of the voice acting. In conclusion, the voice acting in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy has been widely praised by critics. The majority of reviewers appreciated the excellent delivery, well-written dialogues, and the ability of the voice actors to capture the essence of the characters. The voice cast received special praise for their performances, with critics such as Easy Allies and Gamers' Temple highlighting their brilliance. While there were a few mixed opinions, the overall consensus remains overwhelmingly positive. The voice acting in the game is considered one of its strengths, contributing to the cinematic qualities and adding depth to the characters' personalities.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics love the voice acting in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, praising the actors for bringing characters to life with brilliant performances and entertaining banter. While a few had mixed opinions, the majority found the voice work exceptional, adding depth and cinematic quality to the game.

62

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

62

Positive (80-100)

15%

Mixed (50-79)

69%

Negative (0-49)

15%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the technical performance on Xbox Series X, the critics had mixed opinions. Game Informer noted that there were some animation issues and imprecise sliding mechanics, which affected the overall gameplay experience. However, Xbox Achievements mentioned only minor bugs and glitches that did not significantly impact the game. ZTGD also acknowledged some glitches but stated that the day one patch improved stability. Overall, while there were some technical hiccups on Xbox Series X, the general consensus among these critics is that the issues were relatively minor and did not heavily detract from the gameplay experience. On the PlayStation 5, the opinions regarding the technical performance of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy were more varied. Comicbook.com highlighted constant bugs, including visual issues and missing button prompts, which were expected to be addressed in a day one patch. Easy Allies and Noisy Pixel also mentioned the presence of bugs, but they expressed optimism that these would be resolved with the upcoming patch. Player 2 noted occasional technical hiccups, such as characters getting stuck or conversation failures during huddles. Softpedia mentioned glitches with lore items, dialogues, and interactions in certain situations. Siliconera did not extensively discuss technical performance but mentioned some graphics issues. While there were some concerns raised by these critics, it is worth noting that Noisy Pixel found the game to be well-optimized on PlayStation 5, with only a few hiccups in dense maps and occasional visual glitches. The technical performance on the Nintendo Switch was heavily criticized by the reviewers. GamingTrend mentioned frame rate hitches, glitchy party members, broken cutscenes, crashes, excessive artifacting or fuzziness, and input lag. Nintendo Enthusiast highlighted inconsistent performance, occasional frame rate issues, audio desyncs or cuts out, and input lag. Pure Nintendo specifically mentioned issues with cloud connectivity, including unstable wireless connection, latency, frame rate problems, and image/audio synchronization. These criticisms indicate that the technical performance on the Nintendo Switch was significantly compromised, with various issues affecting the overall gameplay experience. Overall, the critics' opinions on the technical performance of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy were mixed across different gaming platforms. While Xbox Series X had some minor issues, the PlayStation 5 showed a range of experiences, with some critics mentioning bugs and glitches but others finding the game well-optimized. However, the Nintendo Switch version faced significant technical problems, including frame rate issues, glitches, crashes, and input lag. Taking into account the overall consensus, it can be concluded that the technical performance of the game was relatively better on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, while the Nintendo Switch version suffered from notable technical shortcomings.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics had mixed opinions on Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy's technical performance. Xbox Series X faced minor issues, PlayStation 5 had varied experiences with bugs expected to be fixed, and Nintendo Switch was heavily criticized for significant technical problems. Overall, Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 versions performed better than the Nintendo Switch version.

70

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

70

Positive (80-100)

46%

Mixed (50-79)

46%

Negative (0-49)

8%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy are varied, but there are several positive aspects that stand out. Many critics mention the presence of choices and alternate sequences that offer replay value. Game Informer acknowledges that while the lack of significant changes may not be enough to motivate multiple playthroughs, the choices still provide some replay value. Gfinity also highlights the game's decision-making mechanics that impact the story, providing replay value to explore different outcomes. ZTGD praises the meaty campaign with plenty of upgrades to collect and hidden costumes to find, as well as the dialogue choices that can alter the game's events. Easy Allies emphasizes the importance of exploration, optional passageways, lore, outfits, and upgrades, all of which contribute to the game's replay value. Softpedia mentions the presence of important decisions, collectibles, and different skins to find, recommending playing the game at least twice. However, there are also some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. Video Chums criticizes the linear campaign and limited options for growth, narrative change, and exploration, making it less desirable to replay unless the player is a huge fan of Guardians of the Galaxy. Nintendo Enthusiast points out that while the game offers a meaty and varied campaign with surprises for Marvel fans, the combat doesn't evolve enough to maintain its appeal throughout the story, and the basic progression system doesn't invite much customization. Noisy Pixel mentions that the late-game stages may not require much exploration due to an abundance of upgrade materials, potentially diminishing the replay value. Overall, the critics' opinions on the replay value of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy are mixed. While there are positive aspects such as the presence of choices, alternate sequences, exploration, and collectibles that enhance replayability, there are also negative aspects such as the linear campaign, limited growth options, and repetitive combat that may deter some players from replaying the game. The consensus among the critics seems to be that while the game offers some replay value, it may not be enough to fully satisfy players looking for extensive replayability.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics have mixed opinions on the replay value of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. Positive aspects include choices, alternate sequences, exploration, and collectibles enhancing replayability. However, negative aspects like a linear campaign, limited growth options, and repetitive combat may deter some players from replaying. While the game offers some replay value, it may not fully satisfy players seeking extensive replayability.

Overall verdict

Overall Verdict

78

CRITIK

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OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

78

Positive (80-100)

76%

Mixed (50-79)

22%

Negative (0-49)

1%

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

Overall, the critics have expressed mostly positive opinions about Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. The game is praised for its enjoyable story, engaging gameplay, impressive visuals, excellent voice acting, and well-crafted landscapes. Critics like GAMES.CH, Game Informer, Game Rant, and ZTGD highlight the game's strong narrative experience, immersive combat, and the capturing of the essence of the Guardians. The emotional journey of the main characters and the game's faithfulness to the Marvel universe are also appreciated by critics such as Power Unlimited and Impulsegamer. The game is commended for its deep story that tackles important real-world matters, as noted by GAMINGbible. However, there are some criticisms raised by the reviewers. Some critics, like Gfinity and Easy Allies, mention flaws in the combat system, with the inability to play as other characters and the lack of variety in combat being disappointing aspects. The pacing issues and repetitive puzzles are also mentioned as downsides by critics such as Comicbook.com and Video Chums. Technical issues, particularly in the cloud versions, are highlighted by GamingTrend, Nintendo Enthusiast, Pure Nintendo, and Softpedia, affecting the overall experience for players. Despite these negatives, the overall consensus among the critics is that Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is an enjoyable and entertaining game. The positive aspects of the game, such as the engaging story, well-crafted landscapes, and solid gameplay, outweigh the flaws mentioned. The game is recommended for both new and old Marvel fans, as it breathes new life into the characters and offers a fantastic adventure. Critics like New York Daily News and Player 2 consider it a fantastic and memorable experience, deserving to reside in the same level of prestige as other acclaimed Marvel titles. While there are some areas that could use improvement, the game is praised for its effort, heart, and the unique personality brought by the characters. Overall, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is regarded as one of the best Marvel games to date, delivering an engaging and enjoyable experience for players.

TL;DR

Critics mostly love Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy for its engaging story, visuals, and voice acting, capturing the essence of the Guardians. Some mention flaws like combat system issues and technical glitches, but overall, the game is recommended for Marvel fans looking for a fantastic adventure that breathes new life into the characters.

78

CRITIK

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Reviews

154 reviews found

100

New York Daily News

PlayStation 5

Nov 3, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a fantastic adventure game and everything you could want in a Marvel video game.

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Full review

90

IGN Portugal

PlayStation 5

Oct 25, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The best and most intricate story in a Marvel game, with no clear flaws.

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Full review

89

Ragequit.gr

PC

Nov 1, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a very enjoyable experience, recommended to fans of linear singleplayer games and Mass Effect nostalgics. It offers a beefy campaign, smart and quality writing, great presentation, and faithfulness to the Marvel universe.

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Full review

88

Gamers' Temple

PlayStation 5

Oct 26, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

An enjoyable romp through space with the galaxy's favorite antiheroes. The game is fun, clever, fast-paced, and never takes itself seriously.


88

Impulsegamer

PlayStation 5

Oct 25, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy delivers a thoroughly enjoyable single-player action RPG with stunning graphics and a kick-ass soundtrack. It is recommended for fans of the genre.

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Full review

87

Power Unlimited

Xbox Series X

Oct 26, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The game is highly recommended for those who appreciate games focused on the emotional journey of their main characters and are familiar with Marvel.


85

ZTGD

Xbox Series X

Oct 25, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Guardians of the Galaxy is a pleasant surprise with excellent storytelling, solid gameplay, stunning visuals, great voice acting, and an amazing soundtrack. Despite some glitches and cumbersome combat, it is one of the best Marvel games to date.


85

Noisy Pixel

PlayStation 5

Oct 25, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a damn great, roughly 30-hour experience that anyone can enjoy regardless of their history with Marvel's content. The game has clear effort poured into every imaginable corner.

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Full review

85

Xbox Achievements

Xbox Series X

Oct 25, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Engaging, fun, and well-crafted single-player experience

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Full review

85

PC Invasion

PC

Oct 25, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Despite wonky pacing and miscast voice acting for Star-Lord, the game is lengthy, funny, and endearing. It treats the characters with respect and captures the essence of the Gunn movies.

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Full review
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