Every gamer has the specific type of headline they attract. For me, it’s a blend of action adventure mixed with RPG elements and an open world. Throw in a great story and I’m hooked — I’ll play your video games for hundreds of hours as I explore every nook and cranny of the screen in front of me. These are the games that make my heart squeeze to sing.
Those games are now less and farther between. Covid-19 has delayed many major open-world titles, and while extending release dates in response to the global pandemic is necessary (and extremely appropriate) crowing sound), which also means that the games I like aren’t coming out as often as they used to. Rather than being disappointed, I took this as an opportunity to broaden my horizons and find out what else works for me as a player. (I’m sorry and racing game. I respect you, but we will never be friends.)
All of that brought me to the new Square Enix Guardians of the Galaxy. I did this with some trepidation. For starters, I’m one of the few recipients Marvel’s Avengers, and I can’t say I would recommend the experience. I’m scared Guardians may be more similar. Second, it’s a linear single-player adventure title. One of the things I treasure most in the game is deciding what to do next: talk to some NPCs, fight, gather resources? The open world action adventure game gives you that choice; linear game no. I worried that I would feel constrained by the lack of options and quickly lose interest.
How surprising, Guardians of the Galaxy not only fun but also really refreshing. The advantage of this type of game is that the story is constantly happening around you. You will never leave it or have to choose between watching more of the overall story or sharpen to level up.
Sure, I didn’t have much of a choice about where I went or what I did. But for the first time, I’m not forced to explore, nor am I worried I’ll miss something if I don’t look past that next corner. Sometimes I just don’t feel like talking to a damn NPC, even if they’re a quest giver; I just want to have fun. That constant need to explore can tire you out. With a more linear game, I can surrender wherever the developers and writers want me to go and relieve any anxiety that I’ve missed out on all the best parts.
That doesn’t mean the experience is predetermined. Guardians of the Galaxy highlight dialogue choices and you can shape the story as you go on. The decisions you make directly affect how each level is played, but do not affect the overall story. For the most part, the game sets the course—you just need to provide some input throughout the process.
And the game itself is a blast. The controls are smooth, the characters are really fun to be around, and the voice acting is pretty fun. These are the people you want to spend time with when you’re trying to get work done and possibly save the galaxy in the process.
I honestly say, Guardians of the Galaxy Not the game I want to play at the moment. But it turned out to be the game I needed.
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