As is the way with most major franchises, any new Marvel property often comes with lofty expectations. Be it the wildly successful Marvel Cinematic Universe, or the pages of the comics, the products that are stamped with the iconic Marvel logo are the source of much escapism, and as the company finds its footing in the video game sphere, those expectations remain sky-high. Guardians of the Galaxy was Eidos-Montreal's attempt at capturing the magic of the Marvel property of the same name, as Star Lord and company attempt to save the world from the clutches of Universal Church of Truth.
Published by Square Enix, Guardians of the Galaxy wasn't the first Marvel property that the publisher took on, as Crystal Dynamics' Marvel's Avengers released to a mixed reception in 2020. A project as ambitious as the Avengers was sure to raise eyebrows, and the company's pivot towards a games-as-a-service model that would usually prolong its life was ultimately its downfall. Creating an experience based on Earth's Mightiest Heroes wields huge narrative potential, and Crystal Dynamics' effort simply under-delivered on many of its promises. With Guardians of the Galaxy, the Marvel and Square Enix association ultimately served to hinder its commercial appeal.
Guardians of the Galaxy Is Linear Bliss
Guardians of the Galaxy's nonexistent marketing had fans left puzzled as to how the game would shake out. Sales were underwhelming according to Square Enix' expectations, despite its critical reception being far higher than many gamers expected. Guardians of the Galaxy is a somewhat nostalgic, linear, story-focused affair, as shooting galleries, and script-heavy cutscenes are prioritized over a sprawling map and endless side activities. Mimicking the likes of Uncharted or Max Payne, Eidos-Montreal's contribution to Marvel's expanding slate of games was something that demanded very little of the player, as its story could be seen in around 15-20 hours.
Marvel has not been short of ventures in the realm of video games, with many games stretching through a number of different genres. From the MMO, Marvel Heroes, to the immersive Iron Man VR, Marvel's characters can be found in all types of games, and Guardians of the Galaxy satisfies the linear, single-player niche beautifully. A game design philosophy that should be replicated by Marvel in the future, for Guardians of the Galaxy or otherwise, Eidos-Montreal proved that its offering will stand the test of time. Even in spite of its Avengers counterpart withering under the pressure of the limelight.
Marvel's Avengers is Too Big For Its Own Good
With its release hot on the heels of Marvel's Avengers' Black Panther expansion, many presumed Guardians of the Galaxy would be an extension of the same formula, especially given the team's absence from Crystal Dynamics' Avengers project. This, coupled with the minimal marketing, created a downward spiral of disinterest instead of the soaring anticipation the game truly deserved, and sales indicate that the project suffered more significantly than the publisher had hoped.
Guardians of the Galaxy's adventure is a thrilling, cosmically engaging, and impressively talkative experience, and by the time the credits roll, many players will be eager for more. The story told was largely self-contained, but its conclusion hinted at a possible sequel. Its poor sales has placed the future of the franchise in jeopardy, yet there's every chance the sequel is far more likely to be a commercial hit.
The anticipation surrounding Guardians of the Galaxy was balanced with hesitation following Marvel's Avengers' mediocrity, but the sequel's marketing could build upon the critical success that the first garnered. Though the Avengers found fame being the saviors of many, this time, it would appear, they were the downfall of the Milano's unlikely band of misfit heroes.
Guardians of the Galaxy is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
