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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. twos
    Jun 9, 2019
    8
    Really enjoyable game. Coop is a plus. It's worth playing
    But if you're strapped for time I've got to suggest just moving on to Borderlands 2, it's an outright better game and you don't need to play them in order.
  2. Capt_Squishy
    Jul 22, 2013
    8
    This is a fun game, until about 3/4 of the way through then it gets repetitive, Then weapons vending machine/store does not give very good weapons. The charterers are unbalanced and in multi-player you can really see the differences. Playing in Co-op makes the game more challenging and I like that other than the characters unbalance issues. The best thing about this is that Borderlands 2This is a fun game, until about 3/4 of the way through then it gets repetitive, Then weapons vending machine/store does not give very good weapons. The charterers are unbalanced and in multi-player you can really see the differences. Playing in Co-op makes the game more challenging and I like that other than the characters unbalance issues. The best thing about this is that Borderlands 2 seems to have addressed these issues.… Expand
  3. melodymoony
    Nov 26, 2016
    10
    The game that started it all, this game is not as big or as good as borderlands 2, but it's still Borderlands and it's still great after so many years, especially if you play with friends.
    If you want to have some wild coop fun and visit Pandora again or for the first time, borderlands 1 is a great game to play.
    Features: Tons of weapons, Lots of crazed bandits, Boss fights, Alien    The game that started it all, this game is not as big or as good as borderlands 2, but it's still Borderlands and it's still great after so many years, especially if you play with friends.
    If you want to have some wild coop fun and visit Pandora again or for the first time, borderlands 1 is a great game to play.
    Features:
    Tons of weapons,
    Lots of crazed bandits,
    Boss fights,
    Alien creatures,
    The legend of an alien chamber ,
    Irreverent humor as always.
    At a great price now, it will quench your borderlands thirst until BL3 comes out ;)
    Always borderlands, always the best!    … Expand
  4. EUPOLEMOS
    Nov 20, 2013
    10
    I thought that this game will be mediocre based on reviews that I have read.I was wrong.This game is perfect.Too much fun.The only negative that I could find is that the scenario could be better but in this game you just don't care.Keep shooting and looting brothers!
  5. 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.
  6. Traingineer
    Dec 23, 2013
    4
    Overall, the game is O.K. if you play it with some friends but otherwise, it's not really worth it. The game play is boring and sometimes annoying. The missions are the exact same, just more stronger enemies in each new mission. The FOV is disgusting and vehicle controls with the keyboard isn't great. The comedy can be funny or mediocre but I never enjoyed. The only thing making me giveOverall, the game is O.K. if you play it with some friends but otherwise, it's not really worth it. The game play is boring and sometimes annoying. The missions are the exact same, just more stronger enemies in each new mission. The FOV is disgusting and vehicle controls with the keyboard isn't great. The comedy can be funny or mediocre but I never enjoyed. The only thing making me give this a score of 4 than 2 is that it can sometimes be fun playing it with some friends and the music is good. I do recommend Borderlands 2 since it does solve some problems this game has but personally, I would refund this game since it's just sitting in my library but Steam wouldn't do that so yea.… Expand
  7. silversurfpunk
    Jan 21, 2014
    8
    I played this game way after it came out, so being able to talk about the online play will be nearly impossible. However I do find that the single player was done just right. If you hate RPG games that make you do grind quests or random tasks, then this might not be the game for you. Another problem is the plot, I guess that I was partially enthused with the Idea of finding "The Vault"I played this game way after it came out, so being able to talk about the online play will be nearly impossible. However I do find that the single player was done just right. If you hate RPG games that make you do grind quests or random tasks, then this might not be the game for you. Another problem is the plot, I guess that I was partially enthused with the Idea of finding "The Vault" This mysterious treasure trove of weapons, however I stopped to think to my self "What would I do with all those guns" so at that point the story went out the window. However the bread and butter of this game is the guns and the game play. It is a wonderfully stylized FPS with a large load of RPG elements placed in it. The hordes of weapons you collect, buy, sell, drop, and keep are all really interesting. When you find a weapon that has a better fire rate, is more powerful, and is more accurate it really feels like a victory. And constantly finding weapons and checking and comparing states had me excited about this game. After I beat the game I was hungry for more so I bought the DLC for it, I can't wait to play them. Overall I find that Borderlands is a very fun game and is worth a purchase.… Expand
  8. 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
  9. debigman
    Jun 11, 2014
    10
    The best multiplayer Co-Op game ever made, period. Nothing comes close (except for Borderlands 2). If u want to have an LAN party or sit on a sofa with a buddy, if you long to play a game with your friend on his team rather than against random jerks online, then this is the game for you.
  10. rjmacready
    Nov 19, 2013
    7
    Without a doubt, one of the best "Shopping Simulator" games ever made. Do you enjoy killing a bunch of things, picking up lots of "loot", then going to a shop to sell and buy approximately 4,678 times in the course of a 50+ hour gaming experience? Then this is the game for you. If, like myself, you would prefer to only kill one type of enemy about, oh, 800 times over, rather than 8,000Without a doubt, one of the best "Shopping Simulator" games ever made. Do you enjoy killing a bunch of things, picking up lots of "loot", then going to a shop to sell and buy approximately 4,678 times in the course of a 50+ hour gaming experience? Then this is the game for you. If, like myself, you would prefer to only kill one type of enemy about, oh, 800 times over, rather than 8,000 times over, the preposterously lengthy and repetitive game-play might wear a little thin after a while. Personally, I enjoyed about the first 30 hours, and only kept going all the way to the end out of principle (having reached the point of no return). And the best part of all? If killing the final boss isn't enough for you, the designers have kindly offered the opportunity for you to KEEP PLAYING, even though the plot is finished and the credits have rolled. But hey, you still have MILLIONS more enemies to kill and BILLIONS more things to pick up and sell. So why stop. EVER..???

    Think I'll give myself a slight rest before Borderlands 2. Don't get me wrong...this game has tonnes of personality, fantastic graphics, a great world, amusing characters, and enough good ideas for a good many games. But you really, really, REALLY can have too much of a good thing. And whatever you do, don't even HUMOUR the notion of tackling it single player. If ever a game needed friends with headsets, this'd be it. WAY too much brainless "fun" for one person to endure alone.    … Expand
  11. markwhitton
    Nov 20, 2013
    6
    Although Borderlands was pretty much designed with multiplayer in mind I was glad to see they offered a single player mode! I personally don’t like multi-player games too much but I still wanted to give this a go! Borderlands although a good enough game to maintain your interest; presented nothing but the same mission style gameplay over and over again! For me the repetitiveness of theAlthough Borderlands was pretty much designed with multiplayer in mind I was glad to see they offered a single player mode! I personally don’t like multi-player games too much but I still wanted to give this a go! Borderlands although a good enough game to maintain your interest; presented nothing but the same mission style gameplay over and over again! For me the repetitiveness of the game makes it quite a dull experience and it really provides absolutely nothing new to FPS games other than a ridiculous number of weapon choices… I really don’t feel this game warranted a sequel in any way, but if you’re looking for a simple FPS which you can play with friends or casually over a fairly long period of time, this may be the game for you!… Expand
  12. Chupa1337
    Nov 21, 2013
    2
    For me, this game was extremely dull and repetitive. Played it for 5 hours and then uninstalled.
    Luckily, I got a free copy of Mafia II with it so that purchase wasn't a total waste.
  13. Aberzanzorax
    Mar 2, 2014
    10
    An incredible game. Satisfying kills, a plethora of guns, enjoyable levelling, an interesting open world with non-grindy quests.

    This is a game you could spend hours and hours playing and still want to play more. Even in 2014 it doesn't feel dated.
  14. BiteSizeReviews
    Jan 13, 2014
    7
    A great game and series from Gearbox Software. This first title in the series is a nice change of pace from the generic shooter. Great gameplay and great characters combine to form a quite enjoyable game! The lack of story, however, truly hinders the score I am giving this game. If they had spent more time thinking through the main quest, I would give this a 9/10 with no doubt. Even thoughA great game and series from Gearbox Software. This first title in the series is a nice change of pace from the generic shooter. Great gameplay and great characters combine to form a quite enjoyable game! The lack of story, however, truly hinders the score I am giving this game. If they had spent more time thinking through the main quest, I would give this a 9/10 with no doubt. Even though the main quest is mediocre at best, side quests and DLC truly save this game and make it a must-play!… Expand
  15. oDjento
    Jan 3, 2015
    7
    This game was the starting blocks of a great game. It had a cool art style, wacky characters to meet, tons of guns to loot and a big land scape to explore. Only problem was that the land scapes were mostly baron wastelands, and although most guns looked cool, some just looked unpractical. The story wasn't that great as i didn't real i had to pay attention to it and seemed a bit boring.This game was the starting blocks of a great game. It had a cool art style, wacky characters to meet, tons of guns to loot and a big land scape to explore. Only problem was that the land scapes were mostly baron wastelands, and although most guns looked cool, some just looked unpractical. The story wasn't that great as i didn't real i had to pay attention to it and seemed a bit boring. However, the game is still a hell of a lot of fun and is a great basis for the franchise to start on.… Expand
  16. 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.
  17. TSarcher
    Jun 15, 2014
    5
    Borderlands. Gearbox software's comedy filled (somewhat) Role Playing Shooter, a genre that doesn't really make a lot sense but it does sum up the games gun-filled destinations and atmosphere.

    - I have mixed opinions I did enjoy this games new approach to shooters and RPGs but after a while I found the game bland and the lack of clear storyline didn't help things. Look at like this,    Borderlands. Gearbox software's comedy filled (somewhat) Role Playing Shooter, a genre that doesn't really make a lot sense but it does sum up the games gun-filled destinations and atmosphere.

    - I have mixed opinions
    I did enjoy this games new approach to shooters and RPGs but after a while I found the game bland and the lack of clear storyline didn't help things. Look at like this, it takes great intuitive graphics designing in the form of a hand-drawn Pandora but seems to combine it with a boring Dead Island like game mechanic, Borderlands contains far to many fetch or kill quests and the greater aspects quickly become forgotten as a result of this.

    - RPG system/aspects are non existent
    Most RPGs try to take on a new style, such as Fallout's S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system but Borderlands doesn't seem to have any kind of RPG backbone which makes me question the 'Role Playing Shooter' genre as simply a way to cover up a lack of ideas or the creativeness to come up with a niche within the genre. This is cheaply covered up by placing an unnecessary amount of weapons within the game world which comes across as lazy to me rather than a new take on RPG games.

    - Empty Game World
    Gearbox clearly have not given Borderlands much thought when it comes to a nice game world filled with hidden side quests and intrigue like most other RPGs do and this makes the single player the most boring and dullest experience since (yes, I'll say it again) Dead Island. The only way to properly enjoy this game is when you team up with a body and farm the game to level up. I also felt that the quests in the game were pretty hard to follow as, for some reason, you find yourself being forced to do tonnes of seemingly unnecessary quests in order to progress in your hopes of finding the vault.

    Overall Score:
    5.2/10- Another dissapointing RPG with little or no reason to keep playing or replaying. I feel slightly annoyed by this game also because it seemed to boast so much but after experiencing what Gearbox had to offer I thought that it was rather insulting to better RPGs out there. Want my advice? Play Fallout instead,    … Expand
  18. fupster
    Oct 26, 2014
    1
    Game play is great very fun and a decent improvement from BL2. Maps are entertaining and guns are cooler and more fun, but the story was done horribly. This game is the size of two BL2 add ons. At the end of the game you are left high and dry expecting more action, but instead you are left with a piece of **** cliff hanger. So many questions go unanswered. This game has made be hate theGame play is great very fun and a decent improvement from BL2. Maps are entertaining and guns are cooler and more fun, but the story was done horribly. This game is the size of two BL2 add ons. At the end of the game you are left high and dry expecting more action, but instead you are left with a piece of **** cliff hanger. So many questions go unanswered. This game has made be hate the Borderlands series. The series has turned into just another game company that only cares about money, and not if the product they are selling is actually good. this game should be selling for half of its price.… Expand
  19. TaraDarveaux
    Jun 5, 2014
    9
    It looks like a douchey "shoot everything" game, but it's actually one of my favorite games. There is some hilarious dialogue, super fun missions, leveling up is really awesome, and playing with a friend is the best. The only reason I didn't give it a ten is because some of the special abilities weren't all that useful (such as the siren phasewalk), and also because I recently startedIt looks like a douchey "shoot everything" game, but it's actually one of my favorite games. There is some hilarious dialogue, super fun missions, leveling up is really awesome, and playing with a friend is the best. The only reason I didn't give it a ten is because some of the special abilities weren't all that useful (such as the siren phasewalk), and also because I recently started playing the second one and realized how much better it is. Still, give this game a chance, it won't let you down. Unless you've already played the second one, haha.… Expand
  20. Tomle1202
    Jul 15, 2017
    8
    Borderlands wears a humorous and addictive cel-shaded coat to cover up its repetitiveness, uninteresting story and one hell of an unsatisfying boss battle.
  21. ccam
    Aug 12, 2014
    9
    Unique game. Lots of innovation in the game play and graphics. It is not heavy for the PC.
    Story line is funny, attractive and not short.
    Totally recommended.
  22. jelikey
    Sep 10, 2015
    10
    This game brought in a lot of old ideas, added some new ones, and threw in coop. If there is one thing that I love, its coop. The story line is original but does not play a big part in the actual game. The biggest aspect of this game is the coop and the mass amount of guns. Oh there are so many guns. Add the DLC on top of that with even more guns included, and by the end you have closerThis game brought in a lot of old ideas, added some new ones, and threw in coop. If there is one thing that I love, its coop. The story line is original but does not play a big part in the actual game. The biggest aspect of this game is the coop and the mass amount of guns. Oh there are so many guns. Add the DLC on top of that with even more guns included, and by the end you have closer friends and an arsenal.… Expand
  23. yo_mama_so_fat
    Oct 23, 2014
    6
    Not crazy about this game. Gameplay tends to get repetitive. Go there, shoot that. Storyline is intriguing and the guns pack a nice punch per occasion. That's about it. Classic example of an over hyped game.
  24. pesho_one
    Oct 27, 2014
    10
    What a great FPS this is. It might be a bit frustrating and confusing in the beginning, but one you get used to its specifics and learn your way around how to survive, it is nothing less than a pure pleasure. Very responsive and action oriented game-play with tons of weapons. If you are the type of person who like to tweak things and compare things, look no further. You will be in homeWhat a great FPS this is. It might be a bit frustrating and confusing in the beginning, but one you get used to its specifics and learn your way around how to survive, it is nothing less than a pure pleasure. Very responsive and action oriented game-play with tons of weapons. If you are the type of person who like to tweak things and compare things, look no further. You will be in home with the weapon-generation system and you will wait for the store update like it is santa claus. The atmosphere of the game is anywhere between frantic shooting and calmly traversing of new lands while looking around corners for stuff. It has shortcomings of course, but for what it is, this one might even be my favorite game of all time.… Expand
  25. Nerokin
    Nov 24, 2015
    8
    Desert Bordered With More Deserts

    Overall: 76% (110.1/140) Atmosphere: 8.3/10 Graphics: 9.1/10 Level Design: 7.5/10 Music: 5/5 Voice: 3.8/5 Balance: 8.6/10 Controls: 8.6/10 Mysteries: 8/10 Animations: 6.9/10 Artificial Intelligence: 5.5/10 Physics: 5.5/10 Replay Value: 8.6/10 Story: 7/10 Tutorial: 4.5/5 Variety in Items: 9.2/10 Cost-Benefit Ratio: 3/4 System    Desert Bordered With More Deserts

    Overall: 76% (110.1/140)

    Atmosphere: 8.3/10
    Graphics: 9.1/10
    Level Design: 7.5/10
    Music: 5/5
    Voice: 3.8/5

    Balance: 8.6/10
    Controls: 8.6/10
    Mysteries: 8/10

    Animations: 6.9/10
    Artificial Intelligence: 5.5/10
    Physics: 5.5/10

    Replay Value: 8.6/10
    Story: 7/10
    Tutorial: 4.5/5
    Variety in Items: 9.2/10

    Cost-Benefit Ratio: 3/4
    System Requirements: 1/1    … Expand
  26. nickapvikes
    Sep 22, 2018
    9
    I fell in love with this game as soon as I first saw the commercial for it on TV. Something about the combination of unique animation & texture, fast and crazy gameplay, and finding new guns everywhere made this one of my favorite games of all time.
  27. 4y4
    Feb 15, 2020
    8
    Borderlands games are great. I have always enjoyed playing them co-op with my friend.
  28. ApexPhilosopher
    Oct 23, 2019
    8
    Borderlands is a weapon and class mod treasure hunt on a hostile alien planet - best played with friends. It doesn't date too well, but it was amazing in its prime, and I am certain I have spent more than a hundred hours in gameplay.
  29. DustyRB
    Feb 16, 2016
    10
    Borderlands is a true masterpiece. While this game is not for everybody it is still very fun and addicting for fans of loot RPGs. With over 17 million unique pieces of loot and 4 diverse characters with their own benefits no matter how much you play the experience will be new and fresh. Although when you first start out this game is the most it also provides hours upon hours for end-gameBorderlands is a true masterpiece. While this game is not for everybody it is still very fun and addicting for fans of loot RPGs. With over 17 million unique pieces of loot and 4 diverse characters with their own benefits no matter how much you play the experience will be new and fresh. Although when you first start out this game is the most it also provides hours upon hours for end-game because you have the choice to farm already beaten boss for better gear or even play through the campaign again with the same character. The story is also very interesting and funny at times. There are story missions and side missions to do for more experience to level up. This game can be even more enjoyable with the up to 4-player co-op that it provides. Borderlands is attractive to casual players who just want to have fun or the hardcore players who want grind for the best of an immense amount of loot.… Expand
  30. DarkSouls7
    Feb 27, 2016
    10
    borderlands is one of the most purely fun games I've ever played. I have hundreds of hours off the base game alone and probably around 60+ off the DLC. This is another game that any fan of the RPG/Shooter genres should own.
Page:

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
See all critic reviews »