Guardians Of The Galaxy Game Shows Off New Rocket And Groot Designs
This is the Guardians of the Galaxy, but not as you know it. While we stick in a copy of "Awesome Mix Vol. 1" and cue up "Hooked on a Feeling", Eidos-Montreal is getting ready to show off a very different version of those intergalactic a**holes with Guardians of the Galaxy the video game. Now, we've got a closer look at the key players.
Following the lukewarm reaction of Square Enix's Marvel's: Avengers, the publisher is hoping a different part of the Marvel universe can turn up better results. While Marvel's: Avengers let you play as any number of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, Guardians of the Galaxy only lets you suit up as Star-Lord. Still, that doesn't mean the other member of the team won't get their time to shine.
What do the new Rocket and Groot look like in Guardians of the Galaxy?
In a dev diary with Art Director Bruno Gauthier-Leblanc, we get to peel back the layers on Rocket and Groot, to find out what makes this dynamic duo tick. The pair have become a mainstay of the Marvel Cinematic Universe thanks to Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel's performances - with both expected to return in James Gunn's upcoming Vol. 3.
In the game, things look a little different. Firstly, Gauthier-Leblanc draws attention to Rocket's new goatee, which is sure to be a divisive part of his new look. He said that Rocket's up-front attitude made him the easiest to redesign for Guardians of the Galaxy. Rocket is apparently always ready for action thanks to his gun that doubles up as a backpack. Our favourite addition is the fact the beads in his beard look like Groot, just to hammer home that they're best friends.
Elsewhere, Groot is described as "the hardest to nail". When it comes to Groot, he's very different to what we've come to know before. Gauthier-Leblanc explained how Groot was imagined as a "mech" that's constantly being upgraded by Rocket. This is why Guardians of the Galaxy Groot is covered with armour plating. Groot now has a harness, so Rocket can latch on and use him as a turret.
What else do we know about Guardians of the Galaxy?
Only recently, we covered the bold choice to only play as Star-Lord. Although some have championed Chris Pratt to reprise his role from the MCU, Star-Lord is yet another reimagining for the game, which once again puts him at the head of the Guardians. Even though you'll only be able to play as Star-Lord, devs have hyped a "huddle up" system that will bring social interactions to the forefront of the superhero title.
Like any modern title, key elements are mapped out by a conversation tree. Despite not being able to control the likes of Rocket and Groot directly, the way you interact with their AI will directly affect the outcome of missions. Sadly, it's been confirmed there's only one ending.
We're in something of a renaissance of superhero video games. Following the success of Marvel's Spider-Man, there are high hopes for the inevitable sequel from Insomniac Games. There's also plenty of hype surrounding Gotham Knights and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. However, with Guardians of the Galaxy due to release as a multi-gen game this October, it won't be long before Rocket and Groot are shooting up the competition.