Summary
Telltale Gameswas once one of the biggest names in storytelling, but it was forced to close its doors in 2018 after a couple of disappointing releases. The studio is making its grand return under new leadership in hopes that it can once again deliver exciting adventures within pre-established IPs. Its first new adventure came in the form ofThe Expanse: A Telltale Serieswhile its second will be the hotly anticipatedThe Wolf Among Us 2. Now,Telltale Gamesshould also revisit one of the biggest IPs around right now; Marvel Comics.
There was a time when Telltale Games was creating stories in practically every major ongoing franchise. It told a fantastic tale withitsWalking Deadseries, it brought players on a new type of vigilante journey withBatman: The Telltale Series, and even took the critically acclaimedGame of Thronesfor a spin. Almost all these games were worth the price of admission, but they also seem to overshadow some of the studio’s less popular outings. Specifically, it feels likeGuardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Serieshas been mostly forgotten by Marvel fans, though that could change if the studio was willing to revisit the IP once again.
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Telltale’s Formula Was Made for Marvel
There is no escaping Marvel Comics or its many characters due to the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Not only does Marvel Studios dominate the film industry, but it has also been big in video games. Players have been whisked away on superpowered adventures with the likes ofMarvel’s Spider-ManandMarvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Additionally,games likeMarvel’s Midnight SunsandMarvel Snaphave taken the characters to unprecedented genres. The future looks even brighter with titles likeMarvel’s Wolverine,Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, EA’sIron Man, and Skydance New Media’s Marvel game on the horizon.
There isno shortage of Marvel gamesin the pipeline, but that does not mean there is no room for more. While Insomniac seems to have the Spider-Man market cornered, Telltale Games could explore a more narrative-focused adventure. The studio excels at telling new types of stories within pre-established IPs, and there has never been a better time for stories like that. Marvel fans have already been treated to years of adventures, which makes it the perfect time for something new from the studio.
There are a ton of different directions Telltale Games could take a new Marvel game, but perhaps the easiest would be to explore the Guardians of the Galaxy again.Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Seriesmay not have been the studio’s most successful outing nor the best-reviewed one. However, that does not mean it should not try again. The Guardians are one of the most popular Marvel superhero groups right now thanks to James Gunn’s trilogy, yet the MCU has barely scratched the surface of the team’s expansive history. Telltale Games could be Marvel’s chance to explore the parts Marvel may not be willing to explore on the big screen, even if it seems like a risky endeavor after the failures of the last one.
Telltale Games could also take a different Marvel superhero team for a spin if it wanted something new. It could tell unique stories with a reimagined version of the Avengers, it could explorethe dynamics of the X-Menwhile fans wait for the MCU to adapt them, it could delve deeper into what makes The Fantastic Four tick, or it could go after a lesser known team like the West Coast Avengers. The studio would not even have to follow a team as it could put the focus entirely on one or two characters instead. Whatever choice it made, ifTelltale Games’formula works well within the framework of the story then it could lead to a fantastically unique adventure for Marvel fans to enjoy.
