Borderlands (5)

Elpis. A barren and dangerous moon orbiting the alien planet of Pandora. Majestic, scarred and teeming with life, I stood on a cliff and surveyed an outback frontier where bullets were cheap and life less so. I gazed at a herd of majestic Kragons, beasts that were content to wander aimlessly on the plains of Elpis. And then I butt-stomped the f*** out of those rock-skinned monstrosities.

Borderlands (8)

Borderlands may have been a fresh experience when it arrived in 2009, but its 2012 sequel improved on that game in many, many ways. Following that release, players got the chance to experience more of Pandora in subsequent DLC packs, as the game further tinkered with characters and gameplay mechanics. In many ways, Bordelands 2 was too good a sequel, creating a hell of a benchmark should Borderlands 3 ever be made. So what’s the next best step then? Obviously, a game that fleshes out the history of the franchise and its memorable villain, Handsome Jack.

Borderlands (2)

I come from a moon down under

And that’s where the Pre-Sequel throws you. As one of four new Vault Hunters (Wilhelm, Nisha, Athena, Claptrap), players are off to the moon to go help a lowly Hyperion technician with grand ideas named Jack from being turned into compact giblets of bloody organs by the Dahl Lost Legion. Things quickly go south however, with players finding themselves stranded on the Elpis moon, surrounded by local wildlife and a severe lack of oxygen before plunging into a quest to retake the Helios space station an open up a vault that hides treasures within.

And if you’re thinking that this is Borderlands 2 with some new set design, you’d be mostly right. Mostly.

Borderlands (3)

The biggest change to the core gameplay, comes in the form of gravity. Or a lack of it to be precise. Elpis has no atmosphere, resulting in a moon wherein it’s one small step for man and one massive rocket in the face for banditkind. There’s a flow on the moon, wherein players move with a slightly sluggish grace while hopping across chasms. The serves a twofold purpose, as it’s now easier to get across long stretches of the environment by moon-bouncing around and giving your jump an extra kick of oxygen.

Environments are still massive mind you, but this at least allows traversal to be quicker. Then you’ve got oxygen itself. On Elpis, it’s a finite resource, a slowly dwindling pool of life-giving sustenance and a new meter that ties into the traversal and butt-slam gameplay mechanics. On paper, it sounds like a terrible idea, like a stopwatch hanging over your head giving you something else to worry about other than bandits and nightmare fuel wildlife.

In practice however, it’s a fantastic new addition to the game. Once you’ve done your first butt-stomp, you’ll never want to not want to butt-stomp ever again. It’s a deadly new skill, a lethal barrage of your ass interacting with the ground and enemies and when augmented properly, unleashing a cloud of corrosive, pyro or various other elements in order to do extra damage. Have I told you guys how much I love butt-stomping yet?

Flat out like a lizard drinking

Borderlands (1)

This has also resulted in a far more vertical game, with an emphasis on jumping into the frying pan with a electrified ass attack, and leaping right out of danger. Areas now feature higher platforms, cliffs and various other nooks and crannies that the various Scavs (Bandits of Elpis) make equal use of as their melee attackers bounce on your skull and their rocket-troops hover above you. It makes for a nice change, and provides a different pace for even the most experienced of Vault Hunters.

But hey, it’s not just ass-powered melee attacks and moonwalking this year! Borderlands has always been about the guns, and the Pre-Sequel has a few new ones to share. Specifically, guns that utilise the new Cryogenic element and lasers. Cryogenics are easy to use. Fire enough of them into an opponent, chip enough of their health away and they’ll be frozen in time, a monument to your skills and preserved for all eternity as a lifeless husk of ice and despair. Provided that you don’t  play hopscotch in their chest cavity after re-enacting the final scene of Demoltion Man on their sub-zero corpses that is.

Call me Space-Bruce

Borderlands (9)

Also joining the stable, is an entirely new form of gun. LAZORZ! They’re a cool rapid-fire class of weaponry, available in various shotgun burst, rail gun blast, automated fire and burst streams that should never ever be crossed lest you risk total protonic reversal. What lasers lack in sheer power, they make up for in terms of velocity, accuracy and elemental damage. A nice balance overall, to other manufacturers such as Dahl, Maliwan and TORGUE!

What’s also a nice change, is that the game manages to feel more unique now depending on which Vault Hunter you choose. Each one has their own set of skills and actions, such as Wilhelm’s ability to send out drones or extra-damage butt slams, Athena’s melee madness and Aspis shield skills, Nisha’s auto-aim gunslinger skills and Claptrap being a random and unpredictable mechanical menace.

Borderlands (6)

Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie! Oy Oy Oy!

Each vault hunter has a trio of skill trees, with the ability to unlock them now being at level 3 instead of 5, while Elpis interacts differently with each character. One Janey Springs may hit on Athena for instance, while completely ignoring Wilhelm. It’s a sorely needed feature, and one that helps promote various playthroughs with different characters at different difficulty levels.

Each character of course, can complement the others in a unique way when you dig into the four-player co-op mode. Athena can draw fire while Wilhelm leaps over her to deliver a devastating butt-stomp, backed up by Nisha filling her hands with lead and Claptrap being, well, Claptrap. Co-op is very much in line with what you’d expect, with no real adjustments being implemented or even necessary.

Borderlands (7)

That’s not a cryo element sniper rifle, this is a cryo element sniper rifle!

In terms of story however, the Pre-Sequel feels like an unbalanced act that will confuse even diehard fans. You’re given little to no exposition as to why a Dahl army is aiming to decorate a space station with your blood, before being sent to Elpis to help secure the station from its vaguely-defined enemies and lacklustre villain Colonel Tungsteena Zarpedon.

The story however, does pick up in terms of sheer characterisation and snappy writing. Villains muse about making your corpse soar like a child’s imagination, the Ozzie humour is in full swing and the tale of how Jack became Handsome Jack is an interestingly grey story that will have you questioning the motives and actions of the so-called heroes of Borderlands.

Borderlands (1)

It’s also one of the shorter Borderlands games out there, although at this point that’s the equivalent of comparing the length of male porn star assets. Expect to spend around a minimum of 14-16 hours on the main campaign, depending on your skill level. Of course this isn’t the end however, as there are still dozens of side quests to take part in and the aforementioned replay value.

Borderlands (4)

Last Updated: October 29, 2014

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
So what kind of a game is the Pre-Sequel then? If you said ‘more Borderlands’, you wouldn’t be far off. But it is a Borderlands game that feels revitalised thanks to the new gameplay mechanics, enemies, humour and weapons. It plays out like a massive expansion pack, one filled to the brim with more secrets, ideas and a familiar gear-grind for better loot. And more Borderlands is actually a fun idea after all.
8.0
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel was reviewed on PC
75 / 100

42 Comments

  1. I feel like there’s a missed opportunity here for a Dundee hat on the header image.

    Reply

    • Kensei Seraph - Visiting Alpha

      October 29, 2014 at 12:41

      Can’t you see that the big robot is already wearing the Space Dundee hat.

      Reply

      • Captain JJ the pout

        October 29, 2014 at 12:43

        Not good enough. We need Zoe’s mad photoshopping skillz here. Now!

        Reply

        • The D

          October 29, 2014 at 12:48

          Bugger that. In before she actually does something:

          Reply

          • Captain JJ the pout

            October 29, 2014 at 12:52

            LOL. Excellent
            So much win.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            October 29, 2014 at 12:54

            What about Handsome Jack in a moon-kini? 😀

          • Admiral Chief 0

            October 29, 2014 at 13:10

            Moon-kini….so the ass is exposed?

          • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

            October 29, 2014 at 13:13

            No. No. A moon-kini exposes celestial moon-like structures. Round… and.. um.. filled with flora?

          • Kensei Seraph - Visiting Alpha

            October 29, 2014 at 13:13

          • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

            October 29, 2014 at 13:16

            Thumbnail failed to load! Win! Now to make sure I never come back here….

          • Kensei Seraph - Visiting Alpha

            October 29, 2014 at 13:27

            Don’t worry, I’ve only got the 2 from Avo’s notorious video and I don’t want to take the risk of accidentally seeing them.

          • RinceThis

            October 29, 2014 at 13:29

            The Avo has moved to my city. Not sure how to protect my family and I 0-O

          • Kensei Seraph Forget Terra

            October 29, 2014 at 13:35

            I suggest a pre-emptive strike. And napalm. Lots and lots of napalm.

          • Skoobaz

            October 29, 2014 at 16:19

            But tomorrow morning though. I really do love the smell of napalm in the morning.

          • RinceThis

            October 29, 2014 at 13:20

            Gods…

          • RinceThis

            October 29, 2014 at 12:56

            Good man!

  2. Kensei Seraph - Visiting Alpha

    October 29, 2014 at 12:39

    Sounds good.
    Maybe there should hold another competition with the same rules as with Civ: BE.
    Hint hint *wink wink* *nudge nudge*

    Reply

    • Splooshypooh

      October 29, 2014 at 13:34

      *shove shove* *murder murder*

      Reply

  3. SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

    October 29, 2014 at 12:54

    I think this is one of the most fair reviews I’ve so far read on the game. And this is coming from someone who would honestly give it a 9/10 (because I’m a Borderlands groupie). I like you don’t mention (or complain) that rare guns are.. well.. rare. Which the grinder helps sort out anyway, if you’ve been particularly unlucky.

    “In terms of story however, the Pre-Sequel feels like an unbalanced act that will confuse even diehard fans. You’re given little to no exposition as to why a Dahl army is aiming to decorate a space station with your blood…”
    I also feel that this is a little unfair, as it gets fleshed out throughout the story. I think this is a narrative design choice, rather than the story just being confusing and poorly put together. Although there are some “wtf” story moments here and there. 😛

    *Edit: Anyway. AWESOME review. 😀

    Reply

    • The D

      October 29, 2014 at 13:01

      I can honestly say that the Golden Key chest in Concordia is fucking stingy with decent loot.

      Reply

      • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

        October 29, 2014 at 13:14

        I agree with you on this. It can often give you some absolute crap. But I’m already sitting on 28 keys (so many get given out) or something ridiculous and have various purples.

        Just check http://orcz.com/Borderlands_Pre-Sequel:_Shift_Codes every second day and you’ll get a few keys here and there.

        *Edit: But still no dropped orange… 🙁

        Reply

        • Kensei Seraph - Visiting Alpha

          October 29, 2014 at 13:26

          • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

            October 29, 2014 at 13:38

            I prefer Orcz to Steam for the keys. With Borderlands 2 I found they picked them up quicker and were more up to date. But thanks for these links, will check em out and see if I missed any that are still active. 🙂

        • Matthew Holliday

          October 29, 2014 at 13:45

          you’re guaranteed legendaries at atleast 2 points in the main story, grind those 2 with a purple and moonstones and you’re guaranteed a legendary equal to the lowest level of item grinded and of the same type as the purple item.

          Reply

          • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

            October 29, 2014 at 16:45

            Not so helpful in your first playthrough, since those legendaries aren’t always close enough in level to be useful. Plus I’ve gotten legendaries across class mods, shields, and guns. So yeah. I’m aware of the grinder recipes, but it isn’t as useful (unless RNG Gods love you) until you are playing through a second time and start finding max level legendary gear.

          • Matthew Holliday

            October 29, 2014 at 21:44

            i managed to get 1 legendary out of it for the final boss.

            in the first playthrough, scaling isnt that big a deal, i was still using my good lvl 18-22 gear at the end, moxxis laser gun and a legendary that dropped from zarpedon.

            its only in the 2nd playthrough onwards that scalign becomes problematic, busy rushing through the main storyline atm in playthrough 2 and it was easy breazy until you get to lvl 40ish, if you didnt max out your lvl cap in playhtrough 1, youre in for a real shock for the higher levels of 2, im actually having to run away from fights cus my gear isnt strong enough and the enemies are too high level.

            grinding is aimed at maxxed level characters though i guess, cant go relying on underlevelled guns.

      • Matthew Holliday

        October 29, 2014 at 13:43

        who cares about stingy key chests when you have moonstone chests with the same level loot as key chests and grinding for guaranteed legendaries?
        ./care about shift code stuff.

        Reply

        • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

          October 29, 2014 at 16:46

          Lol.

          Reply

      • Spaffy

        October 29, 2014 at 13:47

        Agree. 10 keys until I found a meh sniper rifle..?

        Reply

  4. RinceThis

    October 29, 2014 at 12:58

    Awesome review. Very keen on picking this up.

    Reply

    • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

      October 29, 2014 at 13:15

      Which platform? Master race? If so, add me! Keen for some CO-OP action!
      That sounded so much better in my head…

      Reply

      • RinceThis

        October 29, 2014 at 13:26

        0-O Sadly 360! Would have been fun. Have jammed #2 with Rocky678 for loads of hours!

        Reply

        • Rock789

          October 29, 2014 at 14:13

          Sadly not me… 🙁 GTAV, yes, but we’ve never Borderlands’ed. Makes me a sad panda – like the bond between us is incomplete until we’ve Borderlands’ed. 😉 🙂 I’m quite keen to pick this up, I must say.

          Reply

          • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

            October 29, 2014 at 16:47

            You guys and your inferior consoles get a room. *pouts

  5. Admiral Chief 0

    October 29, 2014 at 13:09

    ON A PC!!!

    ATTABOY!

    Reply

  6. Matthew Holliday

    October 29, 2014 at 13:49

    great game, air combat and buttstomping is the future, makes for awesome combat, the Oz bonuses are great.
    story isnt at BL2s level, but really, BL2 is alot to live up to, as you pointed out.

    the 30$ seasons pass is making me hesitant to insta buy that, but we know tehres going to be a butt tonne of DLC, so it may be worth it.

    but again… 30$…

    the dialogue is mediocre in comparison, but the narrative style is great, how your playthrough is you actually telling the story, with comments coming in from variouos sources, 2nd playthrough tiny tina comments are best!

    overall great game, enjoying the second playthrough, taking my time with it.
    a must have for anyone who enjoys shooting people, looting or generally anything borderlands related.

    Reply

    • Kensei Seraph Forget Terra

      October 29, 2014 at 14:48

      5 words: Game of the Year Edition.

      Reply

      • Matthew Holliday

        October 29, 2014 at 14:49

        i couldnt even wait for the vanilla game to launch, how am i supposed to wait a year for the GOTYE?

        Reply

      • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

        October 29, 2014 at 16:49

        I couldn’t wait for GOTYE either (as Matthew said). Too far away. If you’re a fan of the Borderlands, it’s a must have. The story is great. Everything you wanted to know in BL2 is in the Pre-Sequel. Plus it’s just damn FUN. 😛

        Reply

  7. Matthew Holliday

    October 29, 2014 at 14:31

    explanation behind dahl shooting everyone up.
    we know dahl was on pandora because of BL1 and Roland, we know they ended up leaving, abandoning most of their forces on the planet because that comes up several times in BL2.

    What we didnt know, was why Dahl pulled out.
    so they introduced them into the pre-sequal story to flesh it out.
    if you plug in Zarpedons story and the meddling of a certain entity whos name we dont know yet, into the middle of that, the whole thing fits together pretty nicely and sets up some more possibilities in BL3.

    everything that gets mentioned fits the story just right, if you look close enough at it.
    everything in the story is good, just not quite as good as expected.

    Reply

  8. Ryanza

    October 29, 2014 at 14:49

    Lazygamer gave Destiny a 7.5 and this Borderlands a 8. We all know that Borderlands did everything Destiny tried to do better, well expect graphics.

    Reply

    • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

      October 29, 2014 at 16:50

      I wonder what they will give the Witcher 3….

      😉

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

God of War Heads to PC Available January 14, 2022

Sony has been making moves in the PC market for a couple of years by re-releasing some of …