One of the biggest changes Square made to their incarnation of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy was trading in Peter Quill's '70s upbringing for some '80s nostalgia. Music plays a huge part in the Guardians comics, movies, and now games, and it's especially crucial to Star Lord's character. But while David Bowie and George Harrison might have been traded for Pat Benetar and Dee Snider, it's not an unwelcome change.
The music's role truly shines mainly in two places, atmosphere and The Huddle. The former has the tracks playing around the Milano or while the team is in the cockpit, but the latter provides the perfect theme music to kick some major butt when the fights get hairy. Needless to say, Square has some seriously good taste.
White Wedding By Billy Idol
Billy Idol is just one of the ginormous stars featured on the soundtrack, and his iconic "White Wedding" is easily one of his biggest hits. Being a true child of the era, it makes total sense that Peter Quill would have this piece of music on one of his Awesome Mixes.
It's one of those songs that immediately strikes thoughts of bleached-blonde hair, bright neon hues, and punk rock of the era. At the end of the day, it's a mood piece that fits the atmosphere wonderfully.
Everybody Wants To Rule The World By Tears For Fears
Not quite as heavy as Billy Idol, but "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" by Tears For Fears is a great atmospheric piece that can frequently be heard echoing down the chambers of the Milano. But there might actually be a more poetic use for the track being featured on the list.
The Guardians go against a whole slew of villains and bad guys on a regular basis. From Tivan the Collector to Thanos the Mad Titan, they face threats of universal domination day in and day out, it's pretty much par for the course at this point. So maybe the band had it right, everybody wants to rule the world.
Take On Me By A-Ha
A-Ha's biggest hit, "Take On Me" is where things start to put on a more action-packed motif. Like the music video, the player (and the Guardians by extent) can't help but get sucked into the synth-vibes as they charge into the heat of battle.
The song is incredibly effective if it follows a successful Huddle, giving all the guardians a boost and evening out the odds in a particularly heavy firefight. With all the bright flashes and choreographic combat, it certainly feels like an '80s music video.
Bad Reputation By Joan Jett
Some songs set the mood, others pack a punch, but then there are those like Joan Jett's "Bad Reputation" that sum up the Guardians with a hard rock backing track. To quote Joan Jett's lyrics, the Guardians are a group who "don't give a damn about their bad reputation" and make no attempts to hide it.
Although Quill keeps them on the straight and narrow as best as he can, keep in mind that the team is made of some of the galaxy's most notorious anti-heroes. Rocket and Groot are bounty hunters, Drax is a vengeful warrior, Star-Lord is a notorious space pirate, and Gamora is literally the "Most Dangerous Woman in the Universe." Not exactly star pupil material.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot By Pat Benatar
This number is more for the player than it is for the Guardians, but the message is still received. "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" by Pat Benetar is a great backing track for any action-shooter, and it's totally appropriate for Square's Guardians of the Galaxy.
It works as both an atmosphere piece and a combat track when the gang is out of the Milano, but it can best be summarized as a light-hearted pick-me-up while blasting away various Marvel monsters and enemies on other planets. Sometimes, that's all a gang of misfits really needs.
We Built This City By Starship
The strange hit by Starship, formerly Jefferson Airplane, is yet another example of the Guardians being mirrored in musical form. In a practical sense, the song is a lyrical mess with nonsense verses that lack basic coherence, but at least the music is well-composed and the tune is catchy. Like the Guardians, it is greater than the sum of its parts.
It's this mix of driving rock and silly song smithing that makes the track what it is. It lends it a delightfully nonsensical personality that creates a great melody for saving the universe with one's friends.
Holding Out For A Hero By Bonnie Tyler
Whether this one goes out to Star-Lord or the Guardians as a whole, Bonnie Tyler's holding out for a hero is a great theme for just about any superhero outing. It's an '80s classic, having been associated with movies like Footloose, and its lyrics perfectly capture the emotion behind any would-be heroes holding the controllers.
It's one of the best tunes to break out of a Huddle with, having the Guardians charge into battle while hoping to come out as the heroes of their own ballad. Star-Lord might not be Kevin Bacon, but he is more than worthy of this song.
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go By Wham
Similar to the MCU's use of comedic dialogue during serious scenes, the use of "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" by Wham is an upbeat ditty that juxtaposes the amount of violent action whenever it comes on Star-Lord's playlist. Think of it as the game's answer to the movie's use of Redbone's "Come and Get Your Love."
In the Milano, it's a fitting track to watching Quill walk through the various corridors of the ship in between missions, but it's a tremendous mood-booster after the Huddle. It's fast-paced, it's fun, and it's everything an '80s kid like Star-Lord would want while dishing out some justice.
We’re Not Gonna Take It By Twisted Sister
While Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It" might be better suited for someone like Rocket, it's a great glam-rock smash that any band of space heroes can absolutely tear through enemies to. The shredding guitar power chords and the screaming vocals of Dee Snider truly help drive the action in the right direction, and it shows.
This song alone could be used for a Guardians movie scene or trailer as they come roaring out guns blazing. All in all, it's one of the most action-focused features on the game's soundtrack.
Everybody Have Fun Tonight By Wang Chung
If there's one song that seems to appear most frequently in the game, it's this '80s party hit by Wang Chung. Not only does the song provide a little extra pep for any gamers finding themselves waist-deep in bad guys, but to hear it play while taking down a boss like Lady Hellbender's Dweller In Darkness is nothing short of satisfying.
"Everybody Have Fun Tonight" is a perfect way to capture Star-Lord's quotes and pep talks during the Huddle, and the overall message of teamwork for a number of Guardians outings. In short, it's a vibe that just says it all for Marvel's favorite rag-tag group of heroes.