(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Introduction

Borderlands: The Pre sequel latest game in the borderlands series the universe expanded across three games. Created by gearbox back in 2007, the intellectual property was a surprise hit for the company in 2009, Gearbox creating new content given the success of both games. Gearbox the creators of the game however are not at the helm but instead 2K Australia. Bucking the trend again the title is being released only on PC, PS3 and 360 no new platforms here. Given how Borderlands intellectual property came quite late into the last console cycle you can understand why this decision was taken. New intellectual property is risky given increase costs for a platform studios want to make money back on an investment. Point of this entry is the following explaining my views on a series which I put hours into along with my concerns before I buy the title. Yet to pick up the title due to a couple of reasons which bugged me in the past titles I was having fun but these issues sucked some of the fun away.

Reviews

Video game reviews are an often rushed with the writers given a deadline, add to the fact most of the audience wants an easy to read scale. Welcome to the sorry recipe most game reviews follow add in ethics and transparency which are key problems within games journalism. Do respect the writers who provide reviews but games journalism is lacking in many areas when it compares to reviews with the focus being on graphics over the core of the game. Given how many writers only given a couple of hours to play a game and must play a couple dozen a month some corners must be cut. Whole industry has appeared due to audience demands to know about games, so it understandable why people are asking questions and doubting judgements. After reading a couple reviews from sites which I respect noticed a pattern about borderlands.

Game is not bad but still has some of the flaws from past games. Couple are listed below from my experience with Borderlands 1 and 2.

Mechanics issues

Difficulty is increased by adding more health adding more damage done against you. Make no mistake the health increase along with damage is quite exponential.

Bosses


Given how much the health can increase it can make boss battles a rather long boring effort which is dodge fire and let them sponge. Often in borderlands 2 I had to use a certain weapon just to do decent damage. Also, a problem of bosses being able to one hit you without any real AI just a pattern of attacks over responding to you.

AI

Rather dumb at higher levels it often better to do damage at a distance and abuse the AI not willing to move over the line.

Loot

Given how the damage increases along with health loot plays an important part in the outcome with some battles taking hours vs moments with the right kit. That the core problem random luck based loot drops sure certain guns have a chance to appear, but the odds are low.

Farming

As a result becomes a reality for the end game and for playing the game on a higher difficulty. Anybody who done some borderlands farming knows that sometimes you need to play the same missions or kill the same boss hundreds of times before you can get that one item you wanted.

New mechanics

Don't worry I did enjoy the past game even with the above issues because it was a fun experience with friends or without. Borderlands series linear firing range which is best-enjoyed with friends. Pre sequel does however come with some new tricks like weapon grinder and O2 pack. Moon setting allows the game to play on the jump mechanic more making it part of the combat allowing it to become a resource. Item grinder solves half the problem of bad loot allowing you to improve your gear without farming being the only way or cloning items. Claptrap plays around with the passive buff system with his core mechanic being random weapon types get buffed.

Season pass

Season pass is often a promise the content is going to be good and with that lack of details means no season pass for me. Did enjoy the past, content but given how most companies are moving towards creating content plans quality can be lacking or even taking away content going to avoid it.

How to improve the series

One complaint I had about borderlands was the fact most of the classes felt the same and the class actions did not help. Would love to have a choice between class actions which do change how each class plays.

Loot system does need to be reformed right now the series promotes a gold rush to loot would love to see a loot sharing system. Even drops being only for your class would be a good way of fixing the problem.

Final thoughts

Enjoy video games but little mechanics can make or break the game when the core of the game scales so badly at the higher levels forcing certain mechanics due game breaking ideas. Expecting borderlands looks like it more of the same with some new paint and one or two mechanics. Can't complain if the game is fun but the minor faults game stops it being a classic, cult following is earned for an experience many games fail at delivering. Past titles have got so much right when it comes to game design just the loot system and AI which ruins the experience.

That my views on borderlands the pre sequel, going to pick up the title within the coming weeks. No rush to buy games dozens of copies is created just waiting for more opinions.

Let me know if you enjoyed this piece for my little corner of the internet. Enjoyed writing it 999 words later and hope you enjoyed reading it.

I've never played a Borderlands game. I have some IRL friends that tell me I should get it and play, I have just never decided to try it. Is it worth trying?

Pretty weird. I don't understand the storyline. This is my first time playing any Borderlands game. The weapons are nice. The sniper deals the most damage. But the missions are so "out there", it's like what the fuck? I suggest you try before you buy.