20 October 2009
Borderlands
Borderlands is unusual, playable, and an artfully violent step in an interesting direction for Gearbox. The story aspect of the game could have been better – I’d love to have seen the role-playing influence extend beyond stats, levels and loot – and the ending is a disappointment. Even so, this should be a favourite game of the year for a huge number of people, since it plugs into gamer impulses at such a fundamental level. We blow things up and collect the goodies. That part, at least, Gearbox has nailed.
(Eurogamer, 8/10)
Gearbox’s Borderlands is without a doubt a slick, satisfying hybrid title for those who know what to expect. If you’re a shooter fan curious what the world of Pandora is all about, then you should know that this is a product built on a foundation of statistical progression, character customization, and one that holds item acquisition high above interesting quest structure and narrative. At the same time, it plays like a shooter, requiring twitch skills to dominate the droves of enemies that stand in between you and your search for a mysterious vault. With the opportunity for up to four to join together for co-operative play, four character classes, a dizzying array of firearms, around 20 or so hours of content for a single playthrough and the option to restart with stronger enemies and loot, there’s plenty of content here. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable journey that offers a steady stream of rewards that remains convenient and accessible. 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.
(IGN, 8.8)
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