Battleborn is out! Gearbox and 2K’s MOBA-esque hero shooter is out in the wild – but it’s one of those games that needs to be played online for a while, with actual human beings. Because of that, there are very few reviews out in the wild – and the ones that do exist are in progress.
Given Evolve’s initial critical reception, and the subsequent, disparate user reception once the game was out, it makes sense for consumers to be a little hesitant. But if you are sitting on the fence about it, here’s what critics have to say.
I’ve enjoyed most of Battleborn’s campaign during my initial playthrough, though it’s mostly due to the handiwork of the insane playable characters than the drab enemies and stages. The unlocks both near (in-match leveling) and far (unlocking new characters) have kept me anticipating each new campaign level attempt, though I wish said campaign were just a bit more exciting and varied. Hopefully some time with competitive multiplayer will make my upgrades and unlocks come even faster.
It’s a little underwhelming, but that’s exactly why I still need to dig into the competitive multiplayer before I can offer a firm verdict. With more characters to try, more customization options to unlock, and many hours of multiplayer left to play, Battleborn’s true potential could still lie ahead.
I’m undecided on Battleborn at the moment. Though the action is roughly as reliable as Borderlands, the cast and world aren’t quite as interesting, mostly because it tries to throw so much at a wall that only some of it sticks. Stay tuned for a full verdict after I’ve ranked up and completed the story.
My overall thoughts remain incomplete, though my current impression is a resounding, “It’s fun in short bursts, but I don’t know if it has any staying power.” It doesn’t deserve the hate that it’s received, but neither has it earned a resounding recommendation.
In one of the few scored reviews, Game Revolution has given the game 4 and a half stars out of five, saying:
Gearbox Software’s experience with Borderlands clearly shows throughout Battleborn, blending a silly episodic story and a cast of charismatic characters with the competitive, on-trend MOBA genre. While its single-player and multiplayer offerings are limited at the moment, they’re strong enough on their own to sustain a community, so long as Gearbox continues to update the game frequently. Battleborn could have easily been a soulless copycat of Borderlands or just another MOBA, but this is one fusion game that has its own identity and lays the solid groundwork for much more to come.
We’ll have our own review soon – but in the meantime, you tell us. Are you playing it – and if so, what do you think of the genre-bending shooter? If you’re not, tell us why as well.
Last Updated: May 4, 2016
Admiral Chief in New York
May 4, 2016 at 12:31
Et tu, R2?
Pariah
May 4, 2016 at 12:33
*bleep bleep bloop*
*nyaaaaaaaau*
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
May 4, 2016 at 12:34
XD
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
May 4, 2016 at 12:34
Undecided
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
May 4, 2016 at 12:41
Because…. and this is one I’m getting excited about….wait, let it breathe a little…. DOOOOOOOOOOOO*insert profanity*OOOOOOOOOM!
Kromas untamed
May 4, 2016 at 17:41
Doom already confirmed to be crap.
I am still getting the CE though.
Also the game most people are waiting for comparison wise is Overwatch. Even the Beta is already tons of fun or so I have heard.
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
May 5, 2016 at 08:16
HAHAHA!! I won’t be getting the CE, be that Revenant statue as tempting as it is, I have way too many things to get done, like Hitman, The Division, Mad Marxism, Guns, Gore and Cannoli….
Also, I’m getting my online fix through the Division, even if it is littered with cheaters, so trying out anything else at this stage is a little much…
Kromas untamed
May 5, 2016 at 08:35
New division stuff dropped for 1.2. Things may get better with a new DZ bracket and a new incursion. And hopefully a massive amount of bug/exploit fixes. Also DayZ experimental build 0.60 dropped so will be eating beans and shooting people in that as well.
Greylingad[He Charges!]
May 5, 2016 at 08:53
I don’t know how, or when, but I will make time for this… With great determination!
HairyEwok
May 4, 2016 at 12:40
I knew about the beta and this game still went right over me. At least now they’ll start working on Borderlands 3.
VampyreSquirrel
May 4, 2016 at 12:42
I know what many of my friends think of it… and that’s OVERWATCH!!!!
HairyEwok
May 4, 2016 at 12:44
So you watched the games release and it went right over you? Poor overwatch work!
VampyreSquirrel
May 4, 2016 at 12:51
Nah, I ignored it right off the bat.
Ottokie
May 4, 2016 at 12:44
https://media.giphy.com/media/1KoN1DMBnCMWk/giphy.gif
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
May 4, 2016 at 12:45
That.Is.Just.Wrong.
Raptor Rants
May 4, 2016 at 12:45
I see what you did…. Everywhere!
HairyEwok
May 4, 2016 at 12:45
What spawn of satan is this?
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
May 4, 2016 at 12:47
There are things satan won’t even touch with a pole, this is one of them…
Ottokie
May 4, 2016 at 12:47
I would take this cat for a walk everywhere!
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
May 4, 2016 at 12:48
Would that be because you don’t like people? Because that’s how you scare them!
Pariah
May 4, 2016 at 13:00
“I love me some family barbeques. My cousins are all so pretty. uhyuck.”
Ottokie
May 4, 2016 at 12:46
Overwatch is amazing. I was skeptical, but after last night I am happily awaiting release day.
Raptor Rants
May 4, 2016 at 12:45
nope
Pariah
May 4, 2016 at 12:59
Can see your review now.
“7/10 would NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO again”
Raptor Rants
May 4, 2016 at 13:04
lol *cries*
ElNicko
May 4, 2016 at 13:55
So far loving it, but only managed to play the first 2 campaign missions that came
with the Beta.
Fun mechanics plus witty dialogue makes this a winner so far, certainly better than the disaster that was the Division.
Still wondering why people would pay more for a PvP only game in Overwatch, when you have this?!!
Skittle
May 4, 2016 at 14:00
I enjoyed the beta but the games price put me off from buying it. R899!!@#@!#$!@#!$!@#!423534564356b7356
Strawman Jim
May 4, 2016 at 14:13
I might get it, but that beta was so boring, and I’m really sick and tired of Always-online games.
ThekingofNY30
May 4, 2016 at 16:12
Another scored review http://gamingtrend.com/reviews/battleborn-review/
Deceased
May 5, 2016 at 11:46
Playing it –
For the single-player, I’ll give an honest 4.5/10
( Obviously I’m comparing it to the gem that is Borderlands )
I’ve yet to play an actual multiplayer match, but with the mechanics as I’ve determined them so far,
I can easily see myself scoring a 9.5/10
So my opinion is: DO NOT get this for single-player only
This game will shine as an Arena Battle -type game
( Also, side note – I don’t think it’s fair to compare this with Overwatch [already pre-ordered] as they are 2 different sub-genres of FPS games 😐 )