Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy video game is set to release on October 26, bringing a familiar enemy back into the spotlight. The Chitauri, the main antagonists of the 2012 Avengers film, will be reprising their villainous roles for the in-game universe. Despite the familiarity of their name, the Chitauri have evolved beyond their MCU film counterparts to help craft this exciting, new Marvel installment.
Eidos-Montréal, the developers responsible for Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy game, have ensured that their world will be unique from the MCU universe. For example, GotG's Thanos was already killed by Drax during the Galactic War, despite the Mad Titan's significance in the film franchise. While these changes may come as a surprise given the success of the MCU, Guardians of the Galaxy's independence from the films with its heroes and villains could be its saving grace.
The biggest difference between the MCU's Chitauri and Guardians of the Galaxy's is their autonomy. While the Chitauri faced by the Avengers were controlled by Loki and appeared to operate similar to a hivemind, the in-game villains were strong and smart enough to team up with Thanos and begin their own Galactic War. This war stretched to all corners of the galaxy and raged on for several years. Though it precedes the events of the game, it has influenced every character's story and changed the lifestyle of most (if not all) inhabitants in the galaxy.
Guardians of the Galaxy's Chitauri Are A Genocidal Military Force
Unfortunately for the Chitauri, the species ultimately lost the Galactic War they started when Guardians of the Galaxy's Gamora led a raid on Chitauri Prime alongside Nova. The current status of their civilization is unknown, but given their antagonistic role, they will likely be responsible for many troubles the Guardians face. As the source of many traumas and difficulties for nearly every member of the Guardians, the Chitauri's reach was once quite significant across the galaxy. Their influence and military force are far greater than was displayed in the MCU.
The Chitauri also appear to be far more intelligent than their movie counterparts, as they were able to locate the Guardians of the Galaxy game's version of Star-Lord on Earth and use him as ransom to force his father to surrender the planet Spartax. The Chitauri are also responsible for the destruction of two known races, the Flora Colossi and the Zen Whoberi, though they may have destroyed many more. These feats would have required significant strategic knowledge, as well as steady leadership. It's unlikely fans will be given a clearer picture as to how many civilizations the Chitauri ravaged, but their sway will likely be felt in the galaxy wherever the Guardians go.
While the Chitauri in Guardians of the Galaxy are far different from their bestial counterparts in the MCU, fans will recognize some familiar aspects of their civilization. Their forces also allied with Thanos in the film franchise and helped him try to bring balance to the galaxy. The Chitauri were also responsible for the destruction of half the population on Gamora's planet, though they didn't wipe out the entire population as they have in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy game. No matter their similarities or differences, the Chitauri are sure to be a formidable enemy.