Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series, Episode 4: Who Needs You Xbox One Review

Telltale's Guardians of the Galaxy has had its ups and downs, from its shocking opening to the less than stellar episode 3. Who Needs Who focuses on the internal struggles facing the Guardians, creating intense drama where the worst enemy is each other. Episode 4 starts off slow with a cliche beginning and pacing issues but ends with multiple difficult decisions that can lead to a variety of different conclusions. As of now episode 4 of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series is the darkest chapter of the series

The episode opens with a very cliche defeat followed by a series of internal struggles between the Guardians. Each character is having a difficult time processing everything that has transpired since episode 1 and the latest defeat sends them over the edge. Each one blaming the other for things they either had no control over or were unwilling to accept. Rocket proves to be the instigator for much of the conflict and Galmora is battling her own demons believing she's the cause for damage inflicted on those she cares about. 

It's these internal problems between the group that makes episode 4 stand out from the rest. While the last 3 episodes have dealt with the Guardians at each other's throats it's here that they really get into it. Like Peter, you can take sides or attempt to quell the problems but eventually, they will manifest into critical decisions. These choices blur the line between right and wrong and instead bleed into areas of gray where no right answer exists. However, the consequences that follow are immediate and devastating.

While the decisions of episode 4 are difficult and shocking, they only come towards the end. For most of the episode, you'll battle hostile creatures and make small talk to maintain the Guardians' fractured relationship. What's surprising is that Telltale managed to give every character a defining moment during the episode, even those who bled into the background.  

The action bits are exciting but not as flashy as previous fights. For most of the episode, battles will consist of the Guardians performing the same moves over and over again. Compared to the opening fights with Hala, Nebula, and Thanos fighting a series of space worms was nothing.

Controls and gameplay operate the same as in previous episodes. Peter will make decisions from up to 4 choices within a limited amount of time. Some interactions will alter the story and others provide content into the persona and feelings of each character. Actions and movement are limited to specific sections and Peter's Jet Boots section has been limited to one platforming stage that requires very little skill. However, in terms of the story works well.

Episode 4 doesn't focus on the current apocalyptic situation that the Guardians are in, instead, it's all about how the Guardians deal with hitting rock bottom. Broken, tired, and overwhelm Peter attempts to keep the group together as space worms try to make them into lunch. With heavy decisions but fumbles in the end due to a predictable finale. It's definitely the best penultimate episode so far from Telltale Games, giving the player many opportunities to crush or cultivate the relationships between each Guardian.

Adam Siddiqui, NoobFeed
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