Borderlands

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 850 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 661 out of 850
  2. Mixed: 124 out of 850
  3. Negative: 65 out of 850
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  1. Dartza
    Aug 1, 2023
    9
    One of the most innovative and iconic looter shooters of all time, Borderlands sets up a franchise that will dominate the genre for decades. Even though many of the more recent Borderlands titles improve on many aspects of the game mechanics, there have been no classes to date that have the mobility as the ones in this game.
  2. Stio
    Jan 10, 2023
    10
    Einer der besten Spiele was ich jemals gespielt habe Kann ich nur jedem empfehlen
  3. atyoukha
    Sep 9, 2022
    8
    The average score is for feeling like I was constantly grinding to level up. I also think the weapon drops weren't all so great a lot of the time and I felt like I was wasting my time. I think the game and the characters were incredibly adventurous, story was a great experience but some things just made me not like it and love it at the same time, which is why I gave it an average score.
  4. awesomeisdead
    Mar 11, 2022
    10
    I cannot stress this enough when I say: this. game. is. GREAT. I sunk roughly 100+ hours into this game and I would definitely play it for 100 more.
  5. Sinxy7
    Sep 13, 2021
    9
    O primiero jogo da Franquia Borderlands é de longe um dos melhores jogos da geração X360 e PS3.
  6. Ray6701
    Sep 3, 2021
    10
    Awesome action packed with great graphics and everything else as well that's awesome
  7. Alex_Pilgrim008
    Aug 27, 2021
    8
    A fun Mad Max-like cooperative shooter with RPG elements. The game drags at first, but eventually finds a rhythm. Fans of Halo and Left 4 Dead will certainly enjoy it. Each playable character has their own skills and abilities. As you progress, you'll discover tons of loot and weapons. You can play solo, but the real fun comes in partnering with three other players. I would rate this withA fun Mad Max-like cooperative shooter with RPG elements. The game drags at first, but eventually finds a rhythm. Fans of Halo and Left 4 Dead will certainly enjoy it. Each playable character has their own skills and abilities. As you progress, you'll discover tons of loot and weapons. You can play solo, but the real fun comes in partnering with three other players. I would rate this with an 8.5 out of 10.… Expand
  8. CloudStrife05
    Aug 16, 2021
    8
    Don't be dumb like me and think this is just a regular shooter LOL. Once I got passed that part, it actually is a great game and have been loving the series ever since.
  9. Sarian263
    Mar 17, 2021
    7
    Borderlands...a interesting game which really kick started the "Looter Shooter" genre. And a very good game to kick off with at that! Set on the planet of Pandora, you play as one of 4 "Vault Hunters" on the hunt for well The vault! Apart from that, there isn't too much to go over.

    Story wise like I say, you get to choose from one of the 4 classes or Vault Hunters each one with their    Borderlands...a interesting game which really kick started the "Looter Shooter" genre. And a very good game to kick off with at that! Set on the planet of Pandora, you play as one of 4 "Vault Hunters" on the hunt for well The vault! Apart from that, there isn't too much to go over.

    Story wise like I say, you get to choose from one of the 4 classes or Vault Hunters each one with their own seperate abilities/talent trees. This is where the RPG aspect sorta comes into it but it is not as fleshed out in this one as the sequels. Overall you don't really play this game for its story. The NPC characters and side quests are very unique. This is a game that goes for the comedy factor and does a very good job at that!

    Gameplay and visuals is where this game really shines. it is 4 player Co-Op which is great as each player can choose their own Vault hunter and go on a crazy open world adventure together! The world itself is huge in its own right so there is PLENTY to do and explore. However I don't feel like the hunter's all gel as well together as they could. It seems a lot of the time you and your mates would all pick the same character based on what that character can do which is fine but at the same time, I feel like the talent trees could be expanded a little...(again this got changed as the sequels went on). Also it felt like some characters had better abilities than others? By this I mean that other characters would have cool epic moves where as some others may not. Visuals wise, the game goes for a cell shaded cartoony look for it and works well. Also guns...LOADS OF GUNS!

    Overall, Borderlands is a very unique game. It was the first of its type and it did the job quite well. Yes the sequels for this got ALOT better but the original I wouldn't consider "classic" but still deserves the respect for what it paved.    … Expand
  10. Nerevarinho
    Jan 17, 2021
    8
    In its time it was the WoW with guns. Online Coop with randoms let you not enjoy the story. I Played it after almost 10 years a second time, to focus on the story.
  11. coistmunt12345
    Jul 28, 2020
    8
    in terms of replay value this one beats the sequel without even trying(lol so random borderlands 2 meme hardy har har)

    the game play is satisfy and just really delivers on crunchy feedback which really animates the game and helps it seamlessly delivers a consistent satisfying experience that never gets boring. the violence in this game i just satisfy to watch, from the heads popping    in terms of replay value this one beats the sequel without even trying(lol so random borderlands 2 meme hardy har har)

    the game play is satisfy and just really delivers on crunchy feedback which really animates the game and helps it seamlessly delivers a consistent satisfying experience that never gets boring.

    the violence in this game i just satisfy to watch, from the heads popping from electrocutions, to watch the upper torsos of bandits explode in a glorious display of bloodshed.
    as some who has plated this game from star to Finnish 3 times it delivers in all areas.
    the story might suck but so does the plot of borderlands 2,pres sequel etc.

    anyway that was my 2 cents    … Expand
  12. Zaidx
    Jul 23, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I know it's old but its so good and so engaging
    And I can't let it go that's it    … Expand
  13. Tharduz
    Jun 26, 2020
    9
    Well I have completed this game multiple times, completed all side missions, this is simply fun fun fun, some missions are a little boring, but it is like the 2% of the game
  14. cdsmith7
    Apr 24, 2020
    10
    In many ways, it's the best Borderland game in the series. It takes itself more seriously than the games following. The world environment feels more desolate, dangerous and oddly more alluring to explore. Skill trees are not as advanced as later games but they are just as fun and of course there are weapons galore.
  15. Broyax
    Jan 7, 2020
    5
    Un jeu étonnant et innovant dans sa présentation qui marie avec un certain talent le FPS et le "jeu de rôle" ou du moins ses mécaniques -basiques- de progression : la tendance reste en effet cantonnée ici au hack & slash mais avec des flingues, des tas de flingues...

    L'ambiance clairement décalée mêle un humour souvent grotesque et des graphismes assez cartoonesques (pour masquer des    Un jeu étonnant et innovant dans sa présentation qui marie avec un certain talent le FPS et le "jeu de rôle" ou du moins ses mécaniques -basiques- de progression : la tendance reste en effet cantonnée ici au hack & slash mais avec des flingues, des tas de flingues...

    L'ambiance clairement décalée mêle un humour souvent grotesque et des graphismes assez cartoonesques (pour masquer des graphismes un peu pauvres) mais l'effet produit reste tout-à-fait original.

    C'est néanmoins très répétitif sur le long terme même si la maniabilité impeccable et la bonne interface compensent un peu... malgré un système de loot bien fatigant... Borderlands demeure évidemment trop bourrin et sa partie "rôle" est insuffisamment développée voire inexistante...

    On attendait un peu plus que du sempiternel "pan-pan boum-boum" ; on espérait également autre chose qu'un "scénario" aussi indigent. Une sorte d'amusant défouloir mais un brin pénible sur le long terme.    … Expand
  16. brendo214
    May 22, 2019
    8
    I do really like the core gameplay here, but all of the playable characters (with the exception of Brick) have pretty boring action skills.
  17. INSANEGHOSTFACE
    Nov 6, 2018
    10
    Borderlands isn't as good as Borderlands 2 in many ways but it started it all and was still for its time awesome. It still is great but if you play it and then play Borderlands 2 you will quickly see that 2 just improves on Borderlands. So it doesn't make Borderlands bad or worse as it was years before Borderlands 2 so i am rating this as if Borderlands was just released as when it wasBorderlands isn't as good as Borderlands 2 in many ways but it started it all and was still for its time awesome. It still is great but if you play it and then play Borderlands 2 you will quickly see that 2 just improves on Borderlands. So it doesn't make Borderlands bad or worse as it was years before Borderlands 2 so i am rating this as if Borderlands was just released as when it was this was a game i never stopped playing. I recommend this to anyone. There is 4 player classes 4 player coop and tons of fun. Finding great weapons is one of the pains as unlike Borderlands 2 where you at least knew which enemies could drop what in Borderlands you basically farm Red Chests and hope you get some good purple stuff as the orange and pearl stuff was few and far between and with all great purple weapons you had what you needed. The 4 DLC Expansions were great and i still prefer Lilith's phasewalk to Maya's Phaselift but still play this and see if you don't like it.… Expand
  18. Dragonfly44
    Aug 7, 2018
    9
    It combines RPG's and first person shooters to make an awesome game. As much as I love this game, it still has it's many faults. The story is still exciting but not quite immersive. Perhaps the worst thing about this game is the underwhelming final boss battle. However, the gameplay is utterly fantastic. Rating - 88%
  19. Spaceacer2012
    Jun 19, 2018
    10
    OK Randy Pitchford, 1st off, take your time on Borderlands 3. Whatever time it takes to make it great, take that time. Just release it before I die please.

    Now, regarding Borderlands, great game, worthy of a 10. BL2 is better. I gave this one a 10, so what the heck do I score BL2?? Regardless, my only issue with the 1st Borderlands has nothing to do with the game itself. Thanks for    OK Randy Pitchford, 1st off, take your time on Borderlands 3. Whatever time it takes to make it great, take that time. Just release it before I die please.

    Now, regarding Borderlands, great game, worthy of a 10. BL2 is better. I gave this one a 10, so what the heck do I score BL2?? Regardless, my only issue with the 1st Borderlands has nothing to do with the game itself.

    Thanks for making Borderlands backwards compatible for XBOX ONE. Problem is, I don't want to play it yet because I hear Borderlands may be released as a Remaster soon. If that's the case, I'd rather wait and play it when the remaster comes out. But if the remaster is far off OR isn't going to happen, I wish you would clarify that so I can go ahead and play it as XBOX ONE backwards compatible.

    I'm waiting for some hint or clue to determine when and how I play Borderlands 1 again. I hope this is clarified soon because I'm itching to play it! Here's hoping for clarification in the near future. But, love me some Borderlands! Oh and please make Aliens Colonial Marines and Duke Nukem Forever XBOX ONE backwards compatible soon, sign those forms to make it happen good sir...

    Thank you    … Expand
  20. ITZZZPERRY
    Jan 8, 2018
    8
    Borderlands is the best loot based game that I have ever played. The gameplay is so solid that it made me want to keep playing it just to get the next gun. My only complaint is that the story just is not there.
  21. Locke_Cole
    Jan 2, 2018
    7
    Lleno de carisma, inspiración y sentido del humor, Borderlands aparece como un juego que como paquete completo es superior a la suma de sus partes. El sistema de disparos está bien cuidado y da espacio para la personalización, sin embargo es bastante superficial, ya que la clase elegida pone limitaciones insondeables y por lo tanto, poco moldeables.

    Sin embargo lo importante de este    Lleno de carisma, inspiración y sentido del humor, Borderlands aparece como un juego que como paquete completo es superior a la suma de sus partes. El sistema de disparos está bien cuidado y da espacio para la personalización, sin embargo es bastante superficial, ya que la clase elegida pone limitaciones insondeables y por lo tanto, poco moldeables.

    Sin embargo lo importante de este juego es lo que ofrece como experiencia general, un mundo inspiradísimo y la curiosidaa de explorar sus cuevas, la sorpresa de los dialogos, el carisma de sus personajes. Lamentablemente a nivel mecánico deja mucho que desear, y creo que como primera entrega es poco generosa respecto al guion, es básica y no termina en nada. Es un juego con excelentes ideas y diseño artístico, crearon un mundo entrañable, así como un sistema de recoleccion de armas divertido y variado.

    Como juego de hace casi una década no me detendré en aspectos técnicos, aún viéndolo con visión histórica me parece un buen juego, pero no uno especialmente destacable, y más aún en la generación que apareció. Jugaré la segunda entrega para ver como desarrollaron las interesantes ideas que veo aquí.    … Expand
  22. raccoondaddy
    Apr 8, 2017
    7
    It's pretty hard to retroactively review a game that already has a superior sequel. But, in all honesty, it doesn't hurt!

    When I first played this, I fell in love with dusty western setting, first hearing Cage the Elephant's "No rest for the Wicked" and blasting away at enemies at a distance and in frantic close quarters. But Borderlands has its moments of boredom, like when you    It's pretty hard to retroactively review a game that already has a superior sequel. But, in all honesty, it doesn't hurt!

    When I first played this, I fell in love with dusty western setting, first hearing Cage the Elephant's "No rest for the Wicked" and blasting away at enemies at a distance and in frantic close quarters.

    But Borderlands has its moments of boredom, like when you doing the damn fetch quests. Honestly, we can do without em' at this point. It's kind of like getting a doughnut at the shop. Some places just fill them up with jelly, custard or pudding; then there are the ones that AWFUL white sugar filling!!
    Seriously!!! WHO LIKES THAT SH*T!! But you know, you're going to eating around it! (Sorry, had to do that) THAT is what it feels like to do fetch quests.

    Ultimately, Borderlands is a great game that suffers it's points of boredom and truly lacks a good story. (FYI, there barely is one) I recommend you play with friends, as the experience can get boring for some.    … Expand
  23. Rem
    Apr 4, 2017
    7
    An essentially stripped back version of the core shoot n' loot experience, the original Borderlands started a well recognized franchise now known for off the wall humor and endless fun grinding for gear with friends. However, this was apparently at the expense of an interesting setting and polish, with poor performance on the 360 and little incentive to continue playing other than toAn essentially stripped back version of the core shoot n' loot experience, the original Borderlands started a well recognized franchise now known for off the wall humor and endless fun grinding for gear with friends. However, this was apparently at the expense of an interesting setting and polish, with poor performance on the 360 and little incentive to continue playing other than to receive a minuscule increase to your weapons' stats.

    Borderlands smells of promise form the getgo, with you taking the role of a treasure hunter in the apocalyptic-esque planet of Pandora in search of a famed Vault filled with endless amounts of wealth. Even with this, Borderlands doesn't so much fall flat in telling its story, more so having a story to tell. Plot threads are so bare, it honestly feels the developers cared little for this aspect, which would be fine if the game didn't have a pathetic ending to make all your grinding go to waste. You really won't care what happens, and for a game with definite strengths elsewhere, the story won't sting as much. Unlike the plot, characters in Borderlands receive slightly more attention with discernible characteristics and sometimes genuinely funny things to say. Nobody other than ClapTrap will stay in your mind, but they serve as cool looking quest vendors, so there's that.

    The meat of Borderlands and for the series in general has been the endless grind for loot in the same vein as the Diablo games, and Borderlands absolutely excels in this. As exaggerated as a "bazillion games" might seem, there's enough variety in your tools of destruction to warrant continuous hours of play. You get your standard arsenal of destruction but it's how on the fly you can tweak and spec your character that supports this grind for the best loot, which is further heightened with friends along. Upgrading your character is definitely something to consider since you can generally play any sort of combat role you wish, which is admirable and makes multiple playthroughs with the four different characters a good time sinker. What's not so fun? With a game only about shooting baddies in the face, shooting baddies eventually gets monotonous. It's understandable that you can't make every enemy encounter unique but when your solution is to add more hit points to your enemies, often times resorting to bullet sponges, the once competent combat just fades into a chore. Borderlands is definitely alot more fun with friends for the ride, so that's your best bet for an optimal experience. Overall, the gameplay has its bright spots, but hasn't aged well for a game from 2009.

    For the more recent games in the franchise, Pandora served as the biggest character with its interesting set of locations, and this much is true for the first Borderlands..most of the time. For 2009, Borderlands' cell shaded look and larger scale helped cement Pandora's personality as a desolate, campy apocalypse, but for an 60+ hour experience going through most of these locations wear you down quickly. The color palette is often times either rust brown or ashy grey, and the game's overall art style borders (no pun intended) on boring. On the technical side, the game runs like complete ass. Whether its the aging Unreal Engine 3 or the lack of optimization on consoles, Borderlands' frame rate can tank when you add more than 5 enemies on screen at once. The frames can dip below 10 in the most hectic of situations and when you're getting peppered from all sides by gunfire and you go into last stand with a character giving you quest details over a radio, it just becomes too chaotic to be any substantial fun.

    Make no mistake, Borderlands is a genuine good time when you just don't care about blasting away at enemies, going into a predictable rhythm of killing and looting, but when even that becomes tiresome in a slew of other problems, Borderlands just lacks the staying power of other titles in the series. This can only be a good sign for the franchise that made substantial improvements moving forward, but the original title still isn't a bad way to pass the time, just don't look beyond skin deep.    … Expand
  24. Barnes1987
    Mar 6, 2017
    9
    This is an amazing game and it gets even more amazing when you get all the DLC. One of the better games on the system and definely worth a purchase if you haven't played it.
  25. TheArchetypes
    Sep 9, 2016
    8
    Phenomenal title. Extremely immersive, deep role playing elements, and fantastically addictive co-op. I have nothing but love for this game. However, I wish that the world was entirely open and not limited to zones, and that there was a house or a trunk to store items.
  26. JaguarsFan
    Jul 23, 2016
    10
    Borderlands is, in my opinion, the greatest game of all time. It's blend of action, adventure, and comedy is simply unparalleled. I have completed the story mode eight times now and still love it. What sets this game apart from all others though is the sheer amount of customization; there are millions of weapons that you find or can buy, a decently sized skill tree, shields, grenades,Borderlands is, in my opinion, the greatest game of all time. It's blend of action, adventure, and comedy is simply unparalleled. I have completed the story mode eight times now and still love it. What sets this game apart from all others though is the sheer amount of customization; there are millions of weapons that you find or can buy, a decently sized skill tree, shields, grenades, general mods that boost specific stats like health or gun accuracy. It has it all. Due to this, Borderlands offers ENORMOUS replay value (as you can tell from how many times I have played through it). I honestly cannot recommend this game enough. JUST TRY IT!!! :)… Expand
  27. UncreativeName
    Jun 25, 2016
    8
    Stop watching the critics and just buy it! ..
    (The only bad of the game..is the custome mechanics for the characters...) (And this game don´t have more than 4 characters..those are only the bad things that this game have...)
  28. 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
  29. Chowda
    Nov 16, 2015
    4
    Loved the artwork and world. Fast paced and fun game.

    This game was amazing until the end....no spoilers........

    After the ending I felt like I had wasted 20 hours of my life.
  30. youlouz
    Jan 20, 2015
    7
    This game is worth checking out when on sale, but gets surprisingly boring after a while.

    PROS
    -The best graphics
    -So much to do
    -So many guns
    -Fun unrealistic abilities
    -Funny story

    CONS
    -Boring from time to time
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Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2009
5
#5 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2009
8
#8 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 83 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 80 out of 83
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 83
  3. Negative: 0 out of 83
  1. RPG Fan
    87
    In short, Borderlands is a top-quality shooter and grind-fest.
    Read full review
  2. X-ONE Magazine UK
    90
    A furiously successful RPG and FPS combination that doesn't fall short on either front. [Issue#52, p.86]
  3. Gamer Limit
    90
    When a game has such vicious combat, an intriguing skill system, and full co-op capability, a mediocre story can be overlooked. Borderlands is a necessity for any fan of the FPS and RPG genres, or just down-right looting fun.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »