PyGuy
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It’s got apocalypse. It’s got guns. It’s got role-playing. It’s not Fallout 3. Enter Borderlands, a post-apocalyptic role-playing shooter that sets itself apart from Fallout 3 with cell-shaded visuals, zany and twisted humor at every turn, and its selling point: the insane number of guns and loot. Is Borderlands a loot to remember or should it just go to the vendor?

Welcome to planet Pandora, a wasteland similar to Fallout 3, (but with more psychopaths than raiders and super mutants), and take the role of one of four vault hunters, all of which are bent on finding an alien vault that is said to have mysterious powers giving you power and wealth. The story of Borderlands keeps players guessing to the end. This is good news and bad news. The good news is that it keeps players guessing when things will flow fine and dandy or when they’ll get a cliché yet well -placed ambush and betrayal. The bad news comes in when the game paces from zany to serious. Throughout the trek you are guided by a “guardian angel” that encourages you and warns you of perilous future encounters. This is an issue because you are usually warned about something scary or life-threatening followed by your character doing battle with something not too life-threatening. In one instance, the “first real challenge” your guardian angel warns you about is just a buffed-up version of the many bandits you fought, complete with some serious ego issues.



Don’t let this bother you. (I am only nitpicking to find at least one flaw with the story). This game is absolutely no walk-in-the-park, and the arrogant attitude of the enemies really fits with how the rest of the game is drawn. The “guardian angel” jibber-jabber; not so much.

Borderlands puts you in the shoes of one of four characters to choose from. This includes a Soldier, a Siren, a Hunter, and some burly guy that goes by the name “Brick”. The hunter specializes in sniper rifles and general far-range combat while Brick is good with shotguns and can go berserk and start punching things. The Soldier hits the enemy with all he’s got with combat rifles and the Siren is capable of “phase walking”, which slows down time to her advantage over the enemy. Class-based gameplay is in good use with online cooperative play. Co-op does what it says; same Borderlands but with some buddies by your side. Luckily there is a catch that breaks the potential monotony in the form of player duels, amped difficulty as more players hop in as well as better loot.

Speaking of which, loot is plentiful, usually in the form of new guns. It is virtually impossible to play in even short, 30 minute bursts without finding a new gun as your companion. You love your current gun; try taking out a bandit camp with it and see what’s inside their treasure chest then your mind will equal blown, and that’s how Borderlands works. Some guns boast elemental powers to electrify, toast, or dissolve your enemies.

Pandora may be a wasteland, but this game is a beauty, bringing cell-shaded visuals and overdone gore, back from the days of Killer 7 and XIII from the Nintendo Gamecube’s golden age and lastly, one massive world. Nothing breathtaking like Fallout 3 and not bad just because of the cartoon style they chose. It’s a wasteland that is drawn beautifully. I like to call it a “Beautiful Disaster” (I love that song).

This game didn’t exceed my expectations. It shocked and awed my expectations. It electrified, toasted and dissolved my expectations. You’d have to be crazy to not pick this one up or at least try it. Only someone with a Nine Toes attitude would skip it. It’s that good.

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(last edited by PyGuy on 10-11-10 06:13 PM)

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billythekidmonster
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your reviews are always top notch but i think that this one is truley your best nice review. I love this game alot too got it day one!

Star Luigi
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Namrea
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I played it when it came out. It wasn't bad, it wasn't the best. I'm kinda neutral about it.

Rex
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