Borderlands

 PC
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1852 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,191 out of 1852
  2. Mixed: 474 out of 1852
  3. Negative: 187 out of 1852
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  1. PenetratorGod
    Sep 3, 2023
    5
    Borderlands is a series I could never get into. I only tried the first game, but the game got too repetitive after a point and I got bored. This series probably had a lot more to offer, but it never caught my attention enough to give it long hours. Main problem with the Borderlands series is that they are designed for online rather than single player. When you play alone, the experienceBorderlands is a series I could never get into. I only tried the first game, but the game got too repetitive after a point and I got bored. This series probably had a lot more to offer, but it never caught my attention enough to give it long hours. Main problem with the Borderlands series is that they are designed for online rather than single player. When you play alone, the experience immediately becomes mediocre, but if I wanted to play online games, I wouldn't go and look at this series. Unfortunately, this is one of the problems with today's games. Design a game either for online or for single player. When you try to do both, we come across a wasted potential game and like Borderlands that can't deliver anything properly.… Expand
  2. Richard_dias
    Aug 15, 2023
    7
    Back in the day those 4-player coop games where the tren, and Borderlands might just be one of the best. Not really my cup of tea though, found it kinda boring.
  3. rezo_21
    Jun 11, 2023
    6
    ====================IIIIIIIIII GAME SCORE : 55 IIIIIIIIII====================
  4. Naked_Snakee
    Apr 2, 2023
    7
    Just text (crutch) to save the game to the list. Such things. Maybe I'll do a review later.
  5. The_D4RknesS
    Mar 19, 2023
    7
    The game would be wonderful if it didn't have it.... it has RPG elements and still has a horrible HIT BOX
  6. Giero
    Jan 3, 2023
    7
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  7. pawq
    Sep 8, 2022
    5
    I had fairly high hopes for Borderlands, but ultimately it was a disappointment with what felt like tons of untapped potential. In short: A pretty cool and original world, alright shooting mechanics, mostly bland writing, and horribly grindy quests.

    Positive: - The aesthetic design of the world and characters is original and has a unique and cool vibe; I believe this is the main factor    I had fairly high hopes for Borderlands, but ultimately it was a disappointment with what felt like tons of untapped potential. In short: A pretty cool and original world, alright shooting mechanics, mostly bland writing, and horribly grindy quests.

    Positive:
    - The aesthetic design of the world and characters is original and has a unique and cool vibe; I believe this is the main factor why this game spawned a classic franchise
    - The shooting mechanics are pretty decent, with sufficient (excessive?) variety in weapons
    - The music adds to the atmosphere, but it feels like there are only a few main tracks, so it gets pretty repetitive
    - About 20% of the writing is pretty fun (especially Claptraps made me laugh a lot)

    Negative:
    - About 80% of the writing is extremely bland, including both "dialogues" (there aren't proper dialogues in the game) and quests, which are mostly pointless (go kill that guy, go collect this amount of that item)
    - Quests are released sequentially so you end up ha.ving to go through the same areas several times, making it boring and tedious
    - The majority of the world is lifeless, with only a few named NPC throughout the game; the world is way too big for the amount of NPCs and content in it
    - Enemies are mostly extremely repetitive, and except for some quest-related characters, respawn indefinitely (!). Combined with the running back and forth for quests, it means you have to kill the exact same groups of enemies several times. Extremely boring and pointless.
    - Enemy levels are tailored to the predicted player level pretty much in all areas of the game. I completed all quests in the early and middle phases of the game, so quite quickly ended up 2-3 levels ahead of the curve, and remained up to 6-7 levels above for the remainder of the game, which meant that most of the game was ridiculously easy, and in the latter third or so I was virtually invulnerable. At least it meant I could run through hordes of enemies ignoring them to complete another grindy quest a bit faster.
    - There is way too much loot everywhere (it fills up the backpack in 5mins tops), and most of it is worthless and pointless. It's also scattered randomly, so it doesn't reward proper exploration in any way.
    - The movement mechanics are bugged, as landing on any slope steeper than very shallow makes you stuck, forcing you to wait until the character slowly glitches/slides off the slope
    - The UI is nice in terms of aesthetics, but the ergonomy is poor (it might make sense for a controller, but not for mouse+keyboard)    … Expand
  8. WashedPotatoes
    Jul 21, 2022
    7
    played this game years ago and dont remember much, but it was fun until i ragequit as a 12 year old
  9. MunhozMCM
    Feb 4, 2022
    7
    My Score:

    (7) - Good!

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  10. Qarren
    Mar 21, 2021
    6
    So I'm talking Borderlands today. Borderlands? You know this, yes? Frankly, if you don't know the pop hit franchise then you're on the border of something, and it ain't lands. Seek medical attention.
    There's many an idea in Borderlands. Many an idea, and little development. The subheading should simply read "living Qarren's teenage years all over again." And that's where this game catches    So I'm talking Borderlands today. Borderlands? You know this, yes? Frankly, if you don't know the pop hit franchise then you're on the border of something, and it ain't lands. Seek medical attention.
    There's many an idea in Borderlands. Many an idea, and little development. The subheading should simply read "living Qarren's teenage years all over again." And that's where this game catches you. It grabs hold of you early on, drags you through its gallery of neat ideas and then shoves you through the back door where you turn around and see it was all a set. Like a film set, except of course, vidjya gams instead.
    It's important that I state here that I played the 2019 Enhanced version, and I understand that many problems I had with the game are actually a result of that. So keep in mind going forward that not all statements I make are representative of the original experience, and I recommend sticking to that version.
    Let's start with the main selling point that everyone talks about: that joke about Tannis' underwear that keeps coming up...
    I mean the guns. Yea, the fanbase of this game definitely wouldn't have gotten too excited about that other thing...
    The wide variety of guns resulting from randomised stats provides the meat of this gameplay loop. And the potatoes too if I were to wager. However, this also presents a problem à la that underdevelopment of ideas I mentioned. While upgrading weapons can prove to be a fun little reward, 3 problems arise from this system.
    1) It's unbalanced: I got weapons half way through the game that carried me the entire remainder of the experience, hence removing the biggest reward system in place (though, I understand this is exacerbated in the enhanced version).
    2) It's shallow: the guns don't truly play differently, even across weapon types (I used a combat rifle over my sniper rifle for sniping because it was genuinely better at it). The randomised stats don't provide anything more than bigger numbers for the sake of bigger numbers. Enemy health goes up and so too must damage, the end.
    I've seen some shallow things in my life, but this system is starting to Border on Tinder lands.
    3) It's annoying and dissonant: the game otherwise portrays itself as an FPS with RPG elements, as demonstrated by the critical system which rewards skill in aiming and timing over stats. AND YET accuracy is a randomised stat on weapons! Why reward skill in a game that is programmed to regularly neglect your input? I swear sometimes the bullets actually came out backwards in order to avoid a target at point-blank range just to fulfil the accuracy stat quota for misses.
    Accuracy is of particular annoyance when using iron sights or scopes as being hit knocks your camera around. And as the game is all about 1-4 of you taking on 20-30 people (who have aim tracking) at once; you are constantly being hit.
    4) I can't count
    Now I played this game alone because making friends is for successful people, and I clearly don't associate with success if my life choices tell you anything. I understand the game is more enjoyable with comrades, and is designed around that fact. Singleplayer works, but do yourself a favour and bring along some people to talk to because guns aren't the only underdevelopment in this puberty of a game.
    Quests are also shallow and fighting through the same enemy-respawning landscape back and forth to fetch something leaves a lot of time for conversation. Otherwise it's self-reflection, and nobody wants that. This goes double, triple and quadruple for the second half of the game when the initial charm has worn off and you're left with a barebones plot, some overpowered weapons and the same 3-4 enemy types to kill over and over. The final act will likely leave you with enough thinking room while playing to write a PhD awarding thesis. So at least Borderlands is an educational game.
    Other annoyances include invisible walls, and models with hit boxes that are too big for random junk strewn on the floor meaning you need to be an Olympic pole-vaulter to get over some random tin can on the ground you didn't even see. Also, a small FoV with too much happening around you, and skags (everything about them).
    Like most things, the game is not without merit however. The only exceptions to that rule are reviews written by Qarren, and the Justice League film. The cell-shaded art style is nice. I'll always advocate for art direction over graphical fidelity, and as such Borderlands still looks good today. Levelling skills is rewarding. The music is also good if you don't get sick of the same 3 songs on repeat for the entire 20+ hour length. But, let's be honest with ourselves; we've all listened to a song on repeat for 20+ hours. Mine was 'Entry of the Gladiators' because I'm such a clown. I'm not funny, but people can't take me seriously regardless.
    Borderlands is a good time waster with friends. The merits outweigh the issues, but there are many an issue.
    Seriously, f^ck skags.    … Expand
  11. Cz3rw0ny
    Feb 9, 2021
    7
    I didn't like the first Borderlands as much. It was a fresh looter-shooter, however the graphics, plot etc. didn't really catch my attention that much. I finished it though.
  12. Juli01223
    Jan 15, 2021
    7
    Certainly 2 was a gigantic evolution of this one. But it's still a good FPS, a good start to the franchise.
  13. lucky_mouse
    Dec 29, 2020
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. In regards to the single-player campaign, the game has enough weapon variety to fit different play-styles, but the overall gameplay experience feels really repetitive in the long run, with the whole thing being watered down to fetch-quests or "get from point A to point B to point C and etc". The only replayability value lies in the different characters you choose at the start of the game, each one with unique skill trees to unlock.
    Storywise, the game shows potential with its presentation, right from the cell-shaded graphics to the cast of insane characters that you meet through the journey. The enemies, varying from psycho raiders, to regular alien wildlife and even alien ghosts, also fall on that creative side of loony personalities. However, the game still manages to disappoint by hyping up the final confrontation to be a gunfight against this warlord you heard of the entire game, and instead, it's some dollar-store Cthulhu, falling directly into the trope of "Giant Space Flea from Nowhere".
    Overrall, the game shows good potential but lacks a proper execution of the ideas it presents. A good option if you're looking for simple, mindless (quite literally) fun without much else going on.    … Expand
  14. xDiamondx
    Dec 27, 2020
    7
    This game is not very good at an objective standpoint, gunplay that was a decade old, a villain that says more than 'This is your final warning!' eleven times before finally appearing in the third act of a nonexistent story, skill trees that consist of skills that are exclusively stat changes. CLAPTRAP TELLING YOU THAT THERE ARE MORE MISSIONS ON THE BOUNTY BOARD. With all these criticisms,This game is not very good at an objective standpoint, gunplay that was a decade old, a villain that says more than 'This is your final warning!' eleven times before finally appearing in the third act of a nonexistent story, skill trees that consist of skills that are exclusively stat changes. CLAPTRAP TELLING YOU THAT THERE ARE MORE MISSIONS ON THE BOUNTY BOARD. With all these criticisms, one would assume I hate this game, though this was the very game that got me hooked onto the series. Along with holding a nostalgia value as it was also my first shooter, I still play it from time to time. It's a mediocre game objectively, but it holds a special place in my heart.… Expand
  15. Oshiri_Maeda
    Nov 17, 2020
    6
    Looks nice, but God, I hate shooters with RPG mechanics where you have to spend minutes to kill each mob, just because they have tonne of HP
  16. emilyratesgames
    Jul 21, 2020
    7
    Score: 7
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  17. hoanns
    Jun 6, 2020
    7
    great for co-op shooting .
  18. Chubac
    May 30, 2020
    5
    This game is more addictive than fun. Basically the whole game is to kill-get better weapons-kill more (and repeat) until that horrible ending which made me feel empty inside.
  19. mrrealperson
    Feb 13, 2020
    7
    После выхода второй борды, о первой многие забывают и практически не говорят. Стоит ли в неё играть? Ну, каждый решает сам за себя. Если начнёте со второй, то мало что потеряете, однако, если решитесь пройти первую борду, то тоже не пожалеете. Всё таки первый лутер-шутер, и дьябло-эффект ощущается на все 100. В отличии от последующих частей, первая борда в музыкальном плане болееПосле выхода второй борды, о первой многие забывают и практически не говорят. Стоит ли в неё играть? Ну, каждый решает сам за себя. Если начнёте со второй, то мало что потеряете, однако, если решитесь пройти первую борду, то тоже не пожалеете. Всё таки первый лутер-шутер, и дьябло-эффект ощущается на все 100. В отличии от последующих частей, первая борда в музыкальном плане более мрачноватая, что на контрасте с сел-шейдинговой графикой ощущается прикольно с художественной точки зрения. Однако, такой задумки у разрабов не было, так что этот аспект обесценивается. Борда изначально планировалась как постапокалиптический шутан на серьёзных щах без сел-шейдинга и лишь в последнюю стадию Гирбоксы сменили вектор на мультяшную графику и фан, не успев допилить сюжет. Так что чёрных шуток, которыми так славится серия игр Borderlands, здесь кот наплакал, но в дополнениях борда начнёт раскрываться с той стороны, за которую её все любят. Игра может зайти тем кто ищет необычный игровой опыт и не пробовал лутер-шутеры, начать с первой борды - хорошая идея. Любители необычных визуальных дизайнов тоже могут попробовать. В коопе однозначно играйте, ведь игра под него заточена. Те кто начнёт с первой игры, то Borderlands 2 вам зайдёт больше, чем тем кто сразу начнёт со 2й. Очень интересно будет понаблюдать за тем, как игра развилась к сиквелу и как разработчики учатся на своих ошибках. Любители крутых сюжетов, добротных сценариев и харизматичных персонажей, вам лучше начать сразу с сиквела, тут пока этого не завезли (не считая дополнений)… Expand
  20. zoz
    Nov 12, 2019
    5
    I don't understand the hype. Some people like Diablo-like grind, but for me it was way to repetitive to give it a better score. I think the setting allows for the richer content than for what is in game. The maps are almost empty, apart from the enemies.
  21. DrawidsAR
    Oct 24, 2019
    5
    • Borderlands
    Отчетливо помню ласт локу, та еще душка. Иноплане-тяне, солдаты, энергопушка, все похоже на Half life, а от него я знатно поддушился. Интерфейс говна, игра сама навязывает второе прохождение (в гл. меню параша на new game+) Стандартные бордерлендовские машины душат как Орочимару. Интересная система прокачки ношения определенного вида оружия, как в Classic(e) WOW(a). Игра кст    • Borderlands
    Отчетливо помню ласт локу, та еще душка. Иноплане-тяне, солдаты, энергопушка, все похоже на Half life, а от него я знатно поддушился. Интерфейс говна, игра сама навязывает второе прохождение (в гл. меню параша на new game+) Стандартные бордерлендовские машины душат как Орочимару. Интересная система прокачки ношения определенного вида оружия, как в Classic(e) WOW(a). Игра кст сложная, боссфайты тот еще пот.

    5/10
     

    o Jacobse cove (DLC)
    Первое DLC которое я прошел в borderlands(e). Интерес-ный концепт, зомби, блюющие бомжи, сраные суецид-ники. Для такой игры неожиданность. В целом понрави-лось, но боссы по-прежнему дают жару, мне повезло какого-то скага убить через забор, забагать (умер от него раз 5 уже думал пройти мимо, а выпала легендарка, 2 за всю игру), в финал файте против Неда убив его сам упал, пришлось бежать локу заново, а вторую его фазу я забагал его, встал за какимт о сталогтитом, упал один раз, но пришли бомжи. Лут упал дерьмовый, но ничего. Не хватает NPC в деревне и локах, в одной локе (по осн. игре - городе бандитов, реально чувствуется зомби апокалипсис, насрал в штаны), но в гл. городе одного робота недостаточно, и один раз мы видим человека – Неда. Есть интересный квест с вылетом из этого города, реально крутой. Турели в городе первый квест, они и будут этот город защищать. Ну и на последки остался вопрос, а ЗАЧЕМ ЭТИ СРАНЫЕ МОЗГИ я не понимаю.
    Ненавижу зомби
    СТРАШНО 9/10
     
    o Claptrap's New Robot Revo-lution (DLC)
    DLC очень короткое и запутанное. На голове NPC бы-ли банки, которые мне напомнили Кренга и робота с телевизором вместо головы из Черепашек Ниндзя. Опять же гл. хаб представляет собой город ПУСТОЙ, после первого DLC они не сделали вывода по этому поводу, зато финальные 2 квеста очень меня пора-довали. Ласт локация заключалась в том, что мы бе-жали испытать какую-то парашу на Клаптрапе. В пути были все босы за все DLC, Др. Нед из DLC про зомби (тоже с банкой на голове), финальный бос огромная машина, напомнила мне ПР. Очень интересный босс с сраными суецидниками в пати. В целом DLC на 9/10

    12 октября, 2019
     
    o The Secret Armory of General Knoxx

    Сраное дополнение с машинами.
    8/10
    13 октября 2019    … Expand
  22. chosebine
    Jun 2, 2019
    6
    Ok game not as goodles as number 2 but funny sont gives it a 6.76 and a mention
  23. LionGrand
    Jul 1, 2018
    7
    шутер с элементами рпг редко где встретишь а реализация это надо постараться. на счёт этой игры я скажу что удалась НО с её серостью игра некрасивая такое ощушение что оно придаёт уныние и депресия. Хотя если играть с друзьями то не так уж и плохо. Вообще игра завязана на co-op прохождения если играть в эту игру то с друзьями.шутер с элементами рпг редко где встретишь а реализация это надо постараться. на счёт этой игры я скажу что удалась НО с её серостью игра некрасивая такое ощушение что оно придаёт уныние и депресия. Хотя если играть с друзьями то не так уж и плохо. Вообще игра завязана на co-op прохождения если играть в эту игру то с друзьями.
  24. Panica3643D
    Jun 24, 2018
    7
    Проходили с другом онлайн, но так и не понял сути игры. Слишком скучно и однообразно.
  25. forfb
    May 19, 2018
    7
    The first and major point is how the game looks, comic-like graphic layout is the best what they'd pick for that kind of game. Unfortunatly, after a while, the game becomes boring, but its structure is what makes you keep coming back. Typical RPG-like drop rates, weapon classification (from common to legendary). Charismatic, memorable characters like Claptrap is what makes this gameThe first and major point is how the game looks, comic-like graphic layout is the best what they'd pick for that kind of game. Unfortunatly, after a while, the game becomes boring, but its structure is what makes you keep coming back. Typical RPG-like drop rates, weapon classification (from common to legendary). Charismatic, memorable characters like Claptrap is what makes this game special. The game is not taking itself seriously, **** ton of jokes and previously mentioned graphic layout is what highlights it. It allows you to beat the game over and over again in NG+ modes. What's more, Borderlands has one of the most creative achievements I've seen so far, it requires you to get matched in a lobby with a Gearbox' game dev or someone who've already done that. That's viral-structured kind of achievement, not difficult to get nowadays, but once again, extremely creative, awesome!… Expand
  26. HSuke
    Mar 25, 2018
    6
    I bought the series after enjoying the Telltale version of the game. I wasn't expecting a repetitive grind. This game is incredibly repetitive, and the first 3 hours plays exactly like the other 30+ hours it'll take to beat it. Action is monotonous; the story is non-existent; gameplay is buggy as hell.
  27. ashketchum
    Jul 1, 2017
    7
    Borderlands boasts great cel-shaded graphics, and fun gameplay, especially on co-op mode. The worlds featured in the game look good for the most part, and it mixes FPS with open-world very well, offering a solid gaming experience. The gameplay itself isn't really different from what others of it's genre have to offer, and after a while, this causes the game to start feeling repetitive.
  28. Avalord
    May 30, 2017
    7
    Good "Feel" to movement and weapon handling. Landscape and opponents get somewhat repetitive. Loot becomes less thrilling towards the end Siren's special ability is utterly useless. Does not motivate very much for a 2nd playthrough.
  29. WhiskeyStories
    May 23, 2017
    7
    Had a great time with the first Borderlands. The gameplay is tight and tons of fun with a nice variety of weapons to choose from. The main issues with the game are that while the gameplay is fun it is incredibly repetitive and the whole plot and story felt a bit weak with an insanely lackluster ending. I'd give it a 7.5/10 it's a blast if you don't expect a masterpiece.
  30. trashcanlid
    Apr 15, 2017
    5
    It's okay, but often dull. Gunplay feels fine but nothing about this game makes me want to keep playing it. Sorting through piles of loot to find the best stats is not my idea of fun. Humor is not so great (with one particularly annoying character), but not as bad as BL2.
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Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best PC Game of 2009
8
#8 Most Discussed PC Game of 2009
17
#17 Most Shared PC Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. IGN
    88
    It's something action role-playing game fans looking for an experience more up-close and brutal than genre entries of the third-person variety should have a blast with, and one of the more memorable products of 2009.
    Read full review
  2. Destructoid
    85
    With tons of weapons to find, a great co-op system, fantastic art, and a whole bunch of exploding bodies, Borderlands is worth your money. Even when I feel that the game is starting to get repetitive, there's something about it that keeps me playing.
    Read full review
  3. AtomicGamer
    92
    I think you'll agree that when you've got guns blazing from four players at once and loot is flying everywhere, Borderlands easily makes up for any perceived shortcomings.
    Read full review
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