Borderlands

(Xbox 360, PS3, PC)

Let me start by saying, Borderlands is a great game. However, many of the games greatest "Innovations" were actually just great examples of what not to call an "Innovation".

Weapons:

Firstly. the random weapon generation was not the greatest thing ever. Several weapon types are missing or poorly represented. Grenade-launchers are simply Easter-Eggs that were of no significant value, and rocket launchers were next to useless because of the exaggerated weapon damage of sniper-rifles and revolvers. Few types of weapons are realistic, (Yes, I know it's not supposed to be super-realistic. Just my two cents.) The problem with all of the "Random" weapons is that it doesn't have enough parts or randomness (?) in the "generator" to effectively make every weapon worth taking a look at. With as many weapons as the game boasts having, you would think that the chances of finding two of the same weapons (Or even very similar weapons,) were slim at best. However, after 4 and a half playthroughs, I've constantly run into weapons that were the same or one point off (stat-wise) from one of 15 similar weapons I'm carrying in my backpack.

Story:

The story of Borderlands is hard to get into. Most of the points that would make the story seem fun and engaging are buried deep in side quests, that if not for needing XP would never have even looked into. The main plot points come out of no-where and suddenly say "Oh, by the way, there's this major thing that we forgot to tell you. My bad." And most of the funny dialogue is completely missing when it would be most appreciated. Only one or two of the characters are interesting and one of them is killed off in a certain side quest. Borderlands would probably have worked better as a dark atmosphereic shooter, which was what it started out as (Before the last minute art change).

An example of how Borderlands should have looked. (Gearbox concept art)

Setting:

The remote planet of Pandora is a harsh place, but many of my questions about the setting were left unanswered by the end of the story. While a large disscussion about the hidden plot points exsists, (Gearbox forums,) the average person will take little or no interest in the "hidden" parts of the story. The desert openess from the concept art is missing, and plenty of the great things on Pandora that were promised (Screaming, yelling Clap-Trap is gone. *Shakes Fist*,) were left out.

Verdict:

Borderlands is a fun shooter that misses some of the high points that shooters have hit recently and makes huge statements about its "700 bazillion" guns, when in fact the weapons are mostly the same. The storys only purpose is to move you from place to place, and the graphics feel a bit dated due to the cell-shaded look, and vehicles are worthless except for moving around at a good speed.

Graphics: 7.8

Gameplay: 7

Setting:8

Replayability: 8

Story:6.5

Final Verdict:

8/10