Game: Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series
Consoles: PS4, Xbox One (reviewed), PC, iOS, Android
Publisher: Telltale Games
Developer: Telltale Games
For anyone, a sense of loss is hard to deal with. Especially when most of your time is spent saving a galaxy that’s constantly wrecked by alien threats. The first episode of Telltale Games’ Guardians of the Galaxy series detailed the inner turmoil Peter Quill constantly deals with due to his mother’s passing. A mysterious artifact blesses (curses?) him with visions of his mother and gives him hope that she’s still waiting for him to save her. This second episode builds upon that plotline while also delving into the past of a fellow Guardians cast mate. “Under Pressure” may not be as action heavy as the first episode, but it still provides a solid story arc worth following due to how hard it tugs hard at your heartstrings.
Once Quill comes back from the dead, he’s faced with two major missions that can further build up or break down the goodwill he’s developed with a team member. Choosing to accompany Rocket Raccoon on his journey to revive a loved one is one of the second chapter’s most standout moments. For those who only recognize Rocket as a jerk who only looks out for himself, his side story does an incredible job at showing his selflessness and devotion. Dealing with the pain and grief that comes from watching a loved one pass on is a theme that plays out well during Rocket’s journey. He’s not the only one dealing with some inner strife, though. Gamora’s continued undertaking (rebuilding the broken bond she once had with her sister Nebula) adds another wrinkle to this heavy chapter. If you choose to accompany her during her mission to retrieve Nebula, you’ll get a deeper look into everything Gamora is doing in order to get Nebula back by her side. This episode is packed with lots more emotional occasions that are well paced and captivating to follow.
Since this part of the overall story focuses more on explaining the goings-on of two other characters, you’ll find yourself playing through a lot more narrative pushing moments. There’s a spaceship battle to get caught up in and a final struggle backed up by a classic tune to enjoy here. But it’s evident that the action scenes featured here are not on par with the ones featured in the first episode. That complaint may hit the fun factor of this episode in a negative manner, but the heavier emotional endeavors that spring up still keeps things interesting. By this episode’s end, the central conflict at hand starts becoming more prevalent and each character arc develops into something you’ll definitely want to see reach its conclusion.
Bottom Line
This episode pulls you in with more of a focus on the predicaments Rocket Raccoon and Gamora are still seeing through to its eventual end. Witnessing Rocket’s origins and the death of his loved one, plus dealing with Gamora’s sibling strife are engaging portions of this episode that will stick with you long after they conclude. The action that unfolds over the course of this story arc might not be as exciting as the battles that took place in the first episode, but the stronger pacing featured here make up for all that. “Under Pressure” does a prodigious job of drumming up interest in the third episode and the mystery behind Quill’s search for the truth behind a mysterious object.
Score: 7.5/10
Pros:
- The more somber tone revolving Rocket Raccoon and Gamora’s conflicts are interesting
- This episode’s pacing sets up each chapter in a more natural way
- The final struggle becomes that much more entertaining due to the inclusion of a classic tune
Cons:
- The action sequences are less exciting than the ones featured during the 1st episode
