Borderlands is, in many ways, a hidden jewel in the gaming world. I had heard some mild things about the game, didn’t expect much, and mostly forgot about it. A few friends picked it up, and were soon raving about it. I had to try for myself, and I realize now that it was one of the most worthwhile video game purchases I’ve ever made.

The story leaves something to be desired, but frankly, the game was so enjoyable I didn’t mind. The whole game takes place on the hostile world of Pandora. The bandit and mutant ridden wasteland is supposedly home to the Vault, which is said to contain endless wealth, power, and alien technology. The Vault also only opens once every 200 years, and requires that you find all the pieces of the key to be opened.

The Gameplay is great. While there isn’t much diversity in the missions, I could care less. I had endless fun trekking across the Pandoran wastes. Players must choose to be a Hunter (sniper), Soldier (all-purpose), Siren (mage), or Bruiser (melee fighter). However, you aren’t required to stick with your specialties’ weapons, but instead gain bonuses if you do. If you’re a Hunter, you’ll do more damage with a sniper rifle than a Bruiser would, but do about the same with an assault rifle. When you level up, you gain a point that can be used to gain specific bonuses. Each class has its own unique special attack, also.

Looting is one of the most important things in this game. There are literally millions of variations of guns, and if you can’t use it, you can sell it. There are mods for your grenades, shields, and class. There are tons of hidden spots loaded with cash and other swag.

The guns are my favorite part of Borderlands. There are so many guns, I doubt it’s possible to put an actual number down. The variations are endless, and while the guns generally get better as you level up, there are some instances of dumb luck, in which you may get a gun that decimates everything in your path long before you need it. I’ve had shotguns that fired rockets, revolvers that set people on fire, grenades that bounced until they hit an enemy, and a sniper rifle that shot acid. These are some of the coolest basic weapons I’ve seen in a game.

The sound is great, though I did hear the same phrases a few times too many. The voice work was done extremely well, and the characters are interesting. Not the greatest sound effects I’ve every heard, but not too far down the list, either.

The Multiplayer is great. Splitscreen, system link, or online co-op. Also, should you choose to have a friend join you, the enemies get tougher, and the loot gets better. It’s easy to invite your friends to join, and they can drop in and out at any time. This game is enjoyable by yourself, but the multiplayer should definitely not be ignored.

The visuals can make or make this game for some. I rather like the cel-shaded feel, it’s not uncommon for it too be viewed as too ‘cartoon-y’ for some. Though it might seem this certain style might limit the quality, there were plenty of details in many of the textures and models. One caveat is that the textures took a little too long to load, but not long enough to be a major annoyance.

The controls are pretty straightforward, and I adapted to them quickly. They were mostly basic shooter controls, but with a few minor changes. I had no problem getting used to them at all.

There is a, in many ways subtle, RPG element to this game. The ability to choose a class, your skill points, and the leveling system is all classic RPG.

I have a few complaints for this game, though they’re minor. As I’ve said, the textures took a little too long to load in come cases. The missions were a little repetitive, there was no customization other than shirt/car color, and dying would cost you money – it once cost me over $80,000 to respawn. These weren’t a huge problem, but they certainly got on my nerves.

Overall, this game is fantastic. I loved nearly every second of this quirky, hilarious, and brutal game. The action is great, the guns are amazing, and the experience is not to be missed. The RPG element lends itself well to this shooter, and I have to say: if you are a fan of either, this is a must buy.

9 out of 10 Mutant Midget Psychos

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