Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series - Episode 5: Don’t Stop Believin' (PC) Review

Short answer: yes. Episode five of Guardians of the Galaxy is by far the most competent and engaging episode of the bunch, even if it doesn't reach the highs that some of Telltale's other games have had.

With the Guardians in a state of disarray following the events of the last episode, it's up to Peter to get the gang back together to take down Hala once and for all. Some of these scenes can end up feeling a bit contrived, coming across not so much as efforts by Peter to apologize and make amends, and instead as rushed attempts to get his friends to help him save the galaxy. However, whether it's a conversation with a thoroughly intoxicated Rocket, or a graveside confrontation with Drax, the interplay between the Guardians is what keeps things interesting. Seeing the characters coming to terms with their emotions and settling their differences can easily bring on a smile and make you forget that it's being rushed through in about 40 minutes.

Interestingly, the game borrows from Mass Effect 2's famous "suicide mission" for its final encounter, giving the opportunity to assign roles to every member of the crew. While this in and of itself doesn't seem to change much beyond a few dialogue exchanges, the possible endings diverge drastically, depending on previous decisions. Everything from who gets involved in the final battle to whether the Guardians get a new crew member can be affected by choices made earlier, which gives a nice sense of closure to the narrative while adding the "personal touch" that Telltale games are known for.

Of course, the gameplay has stayed unchanged, with one "emotional exploration" section featuring interactivity that feels more like a formality than anything. Plus, the pointless QTEs are ever-present; in fact, the final battle can be cleared without pressing a single button. In an episode that seems so dedicated to showing off how much everything matters in the end, it's more than a little disappointing.