Parents' Guide to

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy

By David Chapman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Marvel's misfit heroes band together in must-see adventure.

Game Nintendo Switch , PlayStation 4 , PlayStation 5 , Windows , Xbox One , Xbox Series X/S 2021
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

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age 10+

Based on 5 parent reviews

usher
usher Parent of 12-year-old
January 1, 2022
age 13+

Non-gory violence, team banter not for little ones

This game is pretty fun. Mostly for the banter among team members -- it's the same sense of humor as in the movies. The story (spoiler warning) is based on 5 team members saving the universe from a dangerous "cult" that is in fact people and worlds being captured by a strange energy that promises to bring back dead loved ones. The game play is mainly fighting cultists and various monsters (cartoon-ish, nothing terrifying for older kids), interspersed by funny banter, the occasional dialog decision (that will affect later outcomes), and puzzles that you have to get past. I think it's not appropriate for little kids because some of the banter contains teasing about intimate relationships, double entendres (which might go over their head), swearing, glorification of violence (smashing, killing enemies), and illegal activity (smuggling and such). As you explore especially your ship, you'll also encounter things like a (clothed) girly poster. I'm not too happy (as usual) that the 2 main female characters are pretty much always in form-fitting clothing -- but two of the male characters, are, too, and the main female is as tough and kick-butt and trash-talking as the men. So gender stereotyping isn't horrible in the game. I think once kids hit about 13, they're mature enough to absorb this stuff, especially given the fairly mild nature of the sex and violence in this game.
1 person found this helpful.
chaotix97
chaotix97 Adult
June 22, 2023
age 16+

Spectacular game

This is a very good addictive game with an amazing story.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
See all 5 parent reviews

What’s It About?

Marvel's merry band of intergalactic misfits are back for mischief and mayhem in MARVEL'S GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. You'll fire up your tape deck, grab your blasters, and cause a little trouble as you slip into the jet boots of Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord, half-human/half-Spartoian former space pirate and self-proclaimed leader of the greatest (or at least one of the top five) hero-for-hire teams in the known universe. When their latest job goes sideways, the Guardians wind up in the cross-hairs of both the Nova Corps space police and some of the most notorious criminals in known space. Plus, there's the small issue of the cataclysmic threat that they might have accidentally unleashed upon an unsuspecting universe. Outnumbered? Outgunned? Maybe a little out of their minds? It all adds up to just another day to play the hero. You'll fight your way throughout the universe, from the scrapyards of the Quarantine Zone to the steps of the Seknarf Nine and beyond in this sci-fi tale of adventure and dysfunction. You'll call your shots and perform epic combo attacks with your teammates, laying waste to anything that stands in your way. Players will also huddle up for an inspirational pep talk and galvanize the squad's resolve in the heat of battle. You'll work together to clean up the mess you made, pull off the score of the century, and most importantly, prove yourselves as the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (7 ):

The characters in this adventure are a far cry from your average comic book superheroes, but this is a must-play game instead of your average comic book superhero one. Much as the Guardians are a motley crew that shouldn't work together but somehow do, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is similarly made up of a lot of wildly different elements that shouldn't work together but somehow do. The game takes an interactive story and mixes in fast-paced action shooting combined with layers of strategy, a healthy dose of puzzle solving and exploration, a touch of arcade space flight, and more fan service and nostalgia than you can shake a Walkman at. Best of all, it manages to deftly balance all of this diverse content in a way that flows naturally from one thing to the next and never takes away from the immersive Guardians experience.

One big surprise is that, despite being a team game, players control only Star-Lord directly. This makes sense in the story portions, as players, through Peter's eyes, make the key decisions to steer the course of the tale while interacting with the rest of the crew, learning more about their backstories and building real bonds. Combat can take a little getting used to. Players run, jump, slide, punch, and, most importantly, shoot their way through swarms of enemies in standard third-person fare. The twist comes in activating Guardian mode, selecting a teammate, and choosing one of their special abilities to use in tandem with Star-Lord's attacks. It seems overwhelming at first, but the game eases the player into it and, before long, they're operating as a single unit, pulling off massive combos of spectacular destruction. Add to all of this a kicking soundtrack of classic hits, a deep dive into the lexicon of Marvel history, and enough Easter eggs to keep fans of the comics and the '80s era in general enthralled, and you've got a must-play adventure as good as, if not better than, a big-screen blockbuster.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about friendship and teamwork. What are some ways that teamwork can be used to help overcome obstacles? How much easier is it to team up with friends and family to accomplish your goals?

  • What are some of your favorite comic book characters? Do games and movies encourage you to read the comics, or vice versa? How can comics inspire kids in the real world?

Game Details

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