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Telltale’s episodic adventures often struggle with pacing, especially in the penultimate episode. Balancing setup for the finale while delivering a satisfying self-contained narrative is a delicate act. With Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series, this balancing act has been particularly challenging, with the previous episodes moving at a glacial pace. Does Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy – Episode 4: Who Needs You break the trend? Surprisingly, yes, albeit with some significant caveats.

Marvel picks up immediately after the previous episode’s cliffhanger decision regarding the Eternity Forge. This is where the game finally delivers on the promise of impactful choices. Nebula’s allegiance, a key factor moving forward, hinges directly on your past interactions with her. This impactful consequence is a welcome addition, finally adding weight to player decisions.

Unfortunately, before the narrative gains momentum, players must endure a tedious first half. A dull trek through a giant worm’s intestines, punctuated by juvenile humor, drags on for far too long. A series of uninspired quick-time events while searching for the Milano’s engine further hampers the pacing. The dialogue, a recurring weakness in the series, continues to fall flat. The main plot, dealing with the threat of Hala, barely inches forward. Peter Quill’s flashbacks still feel superfluous, especially now that their origin is known. The Guardians’ bickering feels forced, manufactured for a sense of “chaos” rather than arising organically from the narrative.

MarvelHowever, once past this initial slog, Who Needs You begins to show promise, particularly in the branching paths resulting from player choices. The episode concludes on a significantly different note than its predecessors. Instead of the usual teaser for the next episode, players are presented with a “State of the Galaxy” screen, painting a grim picture of the Guardians’ future. Team members may be dead, estranged, or have left entirely, depending on your actions throughout the series. This creates a multitude of potential outcomes for the final episode, generating genuine anticipation for how Telltale will resolve these numerous dangling threads.

MarvelMuch of the episode revolves around Drax’s backstory. This is arguably the least compelling aspect, given Drax’s portrayal as the least likable Guardian thus far. His constant ruminations on his deceased family become tiresome. While the flashback sequences aren’t entirely without merit, offering some emotional resonance, especially through his daughter, they lack the depth and nuance of Gamora and Nebula’s narrative arcs.

Who Needs You, despite its flaws, represents a significant step up from the previous episodes. The branching narrative paths and the potential for a truly impactful finale offer a glimmer of hope. While the first half suffers from pacing issues and weak dialogue, the episode’s conclusion sets the stage for a potentially satisfying, if somewhat messy, conclusion. Whether Telltale can successfully navigate the numerous narrative threads they’ve woven remains to be seen.