Despite putting out consistently great games, such as the modern Deus Ex titles and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Eidos Montreal’s titles have failed to meet the sales expectations that Square Enix has set. While this could come down to Square’s expectations simply being too high, the reality is that a poor performance commercially can instantly kill a budding franchise’s hopes for the future.
Hopefully, the overwhelmingly positive critical response and a steady rise in sales will be enough for Square Enix to greenlight a Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy sequel. Not only was the first game very well put together, but there is a clear path Eidos Montreal could take to make a follow-up even more enjoyable. With some potential plot threads set up for a sequel to explore, it would be a shame if fans only got to enjoy one game starring Eidos Montreal’s version of the Guardians.
Why a Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Sequel Should Happen
Perhaps the biggest case to be made for a Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy 2 is how strong the original is. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy reviewed very well, and it even won Best Narrative at The Game Awards. Its takes on each member of the Guardians are simultaneously unique and familiar, with some great performances bringing them to life.
A sequel would also feel earned instead of forced since the original game set up some plot threads that could be explored further. The most obvious of these is Thanos potentially being alive, as Drax firmly believes that he failed to deliver a killing blow on the Mad Titan. The other possibility is a story focused on Nova, as while there are several mentions of Richard Rider, he fails to take on a prominent role in the first game’s narrative.
A sequel could also improve upon certain Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy features that did not shine quite as bright as the game’s story and characters. Melee combat is one area that could use a bit of work, as Star-Lord’s punches are far less satisfying to use than his blasters. Further, the overall clunkiness of the controls can be worked on, as commanding teammates does not feel as satisfying as it should. With a bit more polish, the gameplay could match the story’s quality in a sequel.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy 2 could also introduce some fresh companions to the team. Nikki embraces her powers at the end of the game, and hearing her interact with her adoptive father Star-Lord while they fight together could be a ton of fun. Mantis would prove similarly entertaining as a consistent companion, as her brief team-ups with the Guardians bring plenty of laughs. With Adam Warlock’s battle with Magus pushed into the background, the character could be a proper member of the team with his own Guardian Collectibles and special attacks.
While Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy did not have the best sales performance, a lot of that could be contributed to its limited marketing and the general wariness of gamers following Marvel’s Avengers. Now that players know how great Eidos Montreal’s take on the Guardians is, many more Marvel fans would likely be lining up to purchase a sequel on day one. Hopefully, the positive word of mouth and great critical response is enough to warrant a sequel, as Square Enix failing to pursue a Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy franchise would be a shame.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
