Borderlands mixes open world FPS mechanics with a “looter” game loop–a lightweight RPG whose entire point is to gain levels and find bigger and better gear. Think “Far Cry meets Diablo”, and you're not too far off.
PROS:
- STELLAR PRODUCTION VALUES: If it's content that you're looking for, Borderlands deliver. It's a triple A game with nice graphics, full voice acting, dozens of hugeBorderlands mixes open world FPS mechanics with a “looter” game loop–a lightweight RPG whose entire point is to gain levels and find bigger and better gear. Think “Far Cry meets Diablo”, and you're not too far off.
PROS:
- STELLAR PRODUCTION VALUES: If it's content that you're looking for, Borderlands deliver. It's a triple A game with nice graphics, full voice acting, dozens of huge maps, and enough missions for an extended endgame.
- FUN CO-OP: I wouldn't care about Borderlands in single player–but the game's low-stakes action works well for co-op, and Borderlands also has a rare and commendable “combo co-op” feature: you can play with another player on the same console and a third or fourth on the Internet.
- LOTS OF GUNS. I mean, *lots* of them–even though they're all based on random combinations of attributes. The game has enough gear to make every loot fan very happy.
CONS:
- NOT MUCH VARIATION: For such an expensively produced game, Borderlands doesn't have much variety in enemies and environments. Play the first hour of the game, and you've basically seen what the entire game is like.
- LOW STAKES: The game suffers from the classis problems of looters: it ultimately feels shallow. You throw yourself at masses of randomly generated enemies again and again, reaping loot in the process. Rinse, repeat. The story is irrelevant. So is, ultimately, your character's progression, because the enemies are adjusted for it.
- LOW-SKILLS LOOP: A consequence of the previous point, and the reason for my relatively low score: like Diablo III, this game gives you a feeling that your skills don't count. Enemies will magically hit you from pretty much any distance, making fighting tactics irrelevant, with the exception of cheesing exploits. Much of your precision and effectiveness in combat depends on your gear, not on you. Enemies below your level cannot even touch you, and enemies above your level are impossible bullet sponges. All in all, the game rarely hits a sweet spot where you feel like your skill matters. All that matters is your level and your gear.… Expand
Borderlands: Game of the Year EditionYour Score0 out of 10User Score
