PGC NEWS

Telltale Games, renowned for their narrative-driven adventures, takes on the cosmic crew of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy in their episodic series. With the immense popularity of the film franchise, expectations were high for Tangled Up in Blue, the first episode. However, this debut unfortunately stumbles, failing to capture the magic and charm that made the Guardians a household name.

Marvel

A Disjointed Narrative and Familiar Tropes

Tangled Up in Blue diverges from established canon, crafting an original story that sees the Guardians facing a formidable foe early on. While this provides ample opportunity to explore the team’s dynamics, the execution falls flat. The narrative oscillates between providing backstory for Star-Lord and showcasing the group’s established camaraderie. This creates a jarring disconnect. For those familiar with the Guardians through films or comics, the exposition feels redundant. Conversely, for newcomers, the pre-existing relationships lack context and development, leaving them feeling underdeveloped. The result is a narrative that feels simultaneously rushed and disjointed, failing to cater to either audience.

The episode’s central conflict revolves around a Kree pursuit of an artifact acquired by Star-Lord. This plotline feels disappointingly generic, especially considering the vast cosmic landscape of the Guardians universe. The narrative lacks the engaging hooks and compelling cliffhangers that Telltale has previously employed, leaving little incentive to anticipate the next installment.

Dialogue Disappoints and Characters Fall Flat

One of the most significant shortcomings of Tangled Up in Blue is the dialogue. The conversations often feel perfunctory, serving solely to advance the plot rather than to develop characters or create meaningful interactions. The witty banter and emotional depth that define the Guardians are largely absent. Drax, in particular, suffers from this, reduced to a one-dimensional caricature obsessed with Thanos. Star-Lord lacks his characteristic charm, and Groot is surprisingly underutilized. While Rocket and Gamora offer glimpses of their established personalities, their conflict feels contrived.

Marvel

A Technical Step Backwards

Visually, Tangled Up in Blue is a disappointment. Character models, with the exception of Gamora and Rocket, appear stiff and dated. The environments lack detail, and the overall presentation feels significantly less polished than recent Telltale titles like Batman: The Telltale Series. The action sequences, in particular, suffer from clunky animations, further detracting from the experience.

A Saving Grace in the Soundtrack

The one redeeming aspect of Tangled Up in Blue is the soundtrack. While not as effectively integrated as in the films, the music, including Electric Light Orchestra’s “Livin’ Thing,” captures some of the Guardians’ signature spirit.

Marvel

A Disappointing Debut

Tangled Up in Blue fails to live up to the potential of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. The disjointed narrative, lackluster dialogue, and technical shortcomings make this a disappointing start to Telltale’s take on these beloved characters. While the soundtrack offers a glimmer of hope, it’s not enough to salvage the episode. Hopefully, future installments will address these issues and deliver a more compelling and engaging Guardians experience.