Guardians of the Galaxy: Do Choices Really Matter?

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy allows players to make choices throughout the story, but how much do these decisions actually matter? Many games, including the previous Guardians of the Galaxy game by Telltale, let players make decisions that change how events unfold and can even affect the ending of the whole story. Is that the case for this game? Here’s everything you need to know about choices in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

Do Choices Matter in Guardians of the Galaxy?

Your choices do matter in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, but they only lead to minor variations in the story. The overall plot will play out the same for every player regardless of the decisions they make in each chapter. There is no way to get a bad ending, none of the Guardians can die, and the show will still go on even if you constantly make poor choices.

That being said, your decisions can have some tangible effects on the story. The most important thing is the team’s opinion of Star-Lord. Depending on what dialogue options you pick and what decisions you make in each chapter, the other Guardians’ opinions of Peter Quill will change. When you do something that upsets or pleases another member of the group, a text box will appear in the corner of the screen letting you know how they feel. These choices only change dialogue though, so the worst that that will happen is one of your teammates saying some mean things to you.

Certain decisions can also have consequences much later down the line. Usually, when the game stops and gives you unlimited time to think over a decision, it’s an important one. A choice in an early chapter, for example, will leave you without access to either Rocket or Groot for a short time. Other Guardians may become unavailable during some segments based on other decisions as well. You might also play through a different section than other people if you make certain choices.

Finally, certain decisions can affect your tools and equipment later in the game. You won’t be locked out of any abilities, skills, or perks, but you can access bonus areas or receive temporary bonus upgrades if you say the right things to the right people. Playing nice with the Nova Corps, for example, can net you a passkey that will unlock doors in a later chapter. Also, deciding to stash extra parts for the Milano can increase its firepower in later flying sections.

Just because choices don’t lead to branching paths or different endings, you should still pay attention to what you’re choosing to say and the decisions you make for the team. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is all about stepping into Star-Lord’s jet boots for yourself, and you’d be surprised how varied the adventure can be based on the paths you choose to take for the team.

According to Patrick Fortier, senior gameplay director of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, the choices are there to make players more involved in the team’s journey. “It’s to keep players involved and engaged in the experience,” says Fortier. “There’s no right or wrong answer, but I think there’s certainly enough there that people might be curious and once they’ve completed the adventure, they might want to play it again and experience it in a different way. Even though the core storyline, of course, remains the same.”

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.