Borderlands 2

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 221,332 reviews
  • story
  • humor
  • gameplay
Borderlands 2 Game Cover
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Borderlands 2 is a comedic open-world first-person shooter and role-playing game, with both single-player and multiplayer options for up to four players. The game boasts procedurally generated weapons, shields, and grenades, as well as a new cast of characters and enemies in a visually stunning, dense atmosphere. With an intriguing story, humor, and high replayability, Borderlands 2 offers a unique experience for both casual and dedicated players.

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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 221,332 reviews
story15,774 positive mentions
grinding3,872 negative mentions
  • story33,900 mentions

    The story of Borderlands 2 is widely praised for its engaging narrative, memorable characters, and humor, particularly through the villain, Handsome Jack, who adds depth and charm to the plot. Players appreciate the mix of main story missions and entertaining side quests, which often feature clever writing and unique challenges, making the overall experience enjoyable and replayable. While some critiques mention the repetitive nature of quests and the need for grinding, the game's humor and character development keep players invested in the storyline.

    • “The story is engaging, filled with humor and quirky characters that make each mission entertaining.”
    • “The narrative is a brilliant mix of humor, action, and emotional depth, with a storyline that is both gripping and endlessly entertaining.”
    • “The story is amazing, I would also recommend playing the other games in the series.”
    • “Unfortunately, it keeps also the repetitive formula of doing dozens of quests without interest, killing thousands of enemies that are just there to fill the maps and trying to follow a storyline that falls into the boredom of cliches.”
    • “The story is pretty basic and unfortunately, even if there are many characters and missions to complete, it is still empty and flawed like the previous chapter and there is no point to follow it.”
    • “The story is painfully basic and the 'comedy' falls flat, making it hard to stay engaged.”
  • humor16,838 mentions

    The humor in "Borderlands 2" is a defining feature, characterized by its irreverent, often crude, and darkly comedic tone. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, memorable characters like Handsome Jack and Claptrap, and the absurdity of the quests, which frequently blend humor with action. While some find the humor dated or juvenile, many agree that it adds a unique charm to the gameplay, making it a fun and engaging experience, especially in co-op mode. Overall, the game successfully combines action, humor, and a rich narrative, appealing to fans of both first-person shooters and comedic storytelling.

    • “If you like witty yet stupid humor, guns that shoot swords, one of the most charming villains of our generation, and saving the world, play this.”
    • “The humor is woven throughout the narrative and dialogue, with memorable lines and absurd situations that provide plenty of laughs as you traverse the wasteland.”
    • “The main villain, Handsome Jack, is particularly noteworthy, providing a charismatic and often hilarious foil to the player’s journey.”
    • “Painfully unfunny millennial humor.”
    • “The dialogue is unbelievably unfunny, with the boring and unoriginal story essentially acting as background noise for Handsome Jack's jokes, which could've been written by an 11-year-old.”
    • “Boring, repetitive and painfully unfunny; I'm not sure how this game franchise got popular or how it still gets sold today.”
  • gameplay13,798 mentions

    The gameplay of Borderlands 2 is widely praised for its addictive "shoot and loot" mechanics, offering a vast array of weapons and character classes that enhance replayability and allow for diverse playstyles. Players appreciate the engaging combat, humorous dialogue, and memorable characters, particularly the villain Handsome Jack, which contribute to a fun and chaotic experience, especially in co-op mode. However, some critiques highlight the repetitive nature of missions and the grindy aspects of gameplay, particularly in higher difficulty levels, which can detract from the overall enjoyment for some players.

    • “10/10 best game in the series, high replayability, some of the best feeling gameplay mechanics with meaningful upgrades.”
    • “Don't get bogged down by the ancillary details, this game focuses on engaging challenges, wildly fun FPS and loot mechanics, and player enjoyment.”
    • “The gameplay itself is where Borderlands 2 truly shines.”
    • “Boring gameplay if you don't play with friends.”
    • “The writing is so corny it genuinely gave me aids because how shit it is and the gameplay is just average.”
    • “The gameplay feels repetitive, boiling down to a monotonous cycle of shoot, loot, repeat.”
  • graphics10,192 mentions

    The graphics of Borderlands 2 are characterized by a distinctive cel-shaded art style that gives the game a vibrant, comic book-like appearance, which many players find appealing and timeless. While some reviews note that the graphics show their age compared to modern titles, the unique aesthetic and colorful visuals continue to resonate with fans, contributing to the game's charm and overall enjoyment. Overall, the graphics are generally praised for their creativity and ability to maintain a fun atmosphere, despite some criticisms regarding their cartoonish nature.

    • “The art style is stunning, with its vibrant, cel-shaded graphics that bring the chaotic world of Pandora to life.”
    • “The cel-shaded graphics give the game a distinct look, making every locale—from dusty deserts to lush highlands—feel alive and dynamic.”
    • “The game's cel-shaded graphics lend a unique and timeless quality to its aesthetic, setting it apart from other titles in the genre.”
    • “The graphic style is mediocre and the character animation is crap.”
    • “Fps dropping like there is no tomorrow and the ugly graphics made me sick.”
    • “However it is poorly optimized and has poor graphics on Windows 10.”
  • replayability4,420 mentions

    Borderlands 2 is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its diverse character classes, extensive skill trees, and a vast array of randomized loot. Players appreciate the ability to experience the game multiple times with different builds and playstyles, as well as the engaging co-op gameplay that enhances the overall experience. While some reviews mention a potential drop in replay value after numerous playthroughs, the game's humor, content, and ongoing community support keep players returning for more adventures.

    • “The replayability is fantastic, thanks to different character builds and the variety of playstyles.”
    • “With hundreds of hours of content, a wealth of replayability, and some of the best cooperative multiplayer around, it's a game that will keep you hooked for a very long time.”
    • “Possibly the most replayable game ever made and one of my personal favorites.”
    • “The game also doesn't have much replayability, so even though you start as a certain class, you don't get anything out of playing as a different class the next time.”
    • “Despite having multiple characters to play as, there is not much replayability.”
    • “The story lacks replayability, which makes replaying it feel like a pointless grind.”
  • grinding4,072 mentions

    The grinding aspect of Borderlands 2 is a significant point of discussion among players, with opinions varying widely. Many players appreciate the grind for loot and character progression, finding it rewarding and integral to the game's appeal, especially in co-op play. However, others criticize it as tedious and repetitive, particularly in the late game where farming for specific legendary items can feel like a chore. Overall, while grinding is a core element that enhances replayability and engagement for some, it can also lead to frustration and burnout for those who prefer a more streamlined experience.

    • “This game isn't grindy at all, like a lot of things usually are, and even if you do grind, the game still dishes out threats to you every here and there, which is a really nice thing in my opinion.”
    • “Great storyline, and the leveling up system isn't too grindy.”
    • “Sick game, replayable story and not too tedious to grind.”
    • “I spent more time grinding for levels than playing the actual questlines and story.”
    • “The overall difficulty is poorly balanced, making it nearly impossible to complete without grinding through dozens of side quests or grabbing 3-5 friends to help.”
    • “The game can get a bit grindy if you want certain guns, and depending on what you're doing the skill tree you selected might turn out worthless.”
  • music1,662 mentions

    The music in Borderlands 2 receives mixed reviews, with some praising its diverse and atmospheric soundtrack that enhances gameplay, while others find it repetitive and forgettable. Many players highlight standout tracks that complement the game's tone, particularly during combat and boss fights, but some express disappointment in the overall variety and memorability of the music. Overall, while the soundtrack is appreciated for its fitting ambiance and energetic themes, it also faces criticism for not being consistently engaging throughout the game.

    • “The soundtrack features a diverse array of tracks that perfectly capture the game’s tone, from its intense combat sequences to its quieter, more contemplative moments.”
    • “The atmospheric music of this game is something I haven't heard in any game.”
    • “The music gives you an intense feeling while fighting for your life or the most melancholic melodies while feeling utterly alone while exploring the vast wasteland, probably one of the best soundtracks to any game.”
    • “Few music tracks are repeated until exhaustion and sound design is generally mediocre.”
    • “The music isn't good or memorable (other than 'Short Change Hero' by The Heavy), most of the guns and items are worthless, the enemy design is repetitive and uninspired, the driving is janky, none of the characters are likeable.”
    • “Dissapointing music, often my podcast game.”
  • stability922 mentions

    The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with many players reporting a range of bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some users find the experience enjoyable despite these issues, others express frustration over frequent crashes, freezes, and connectivity problems. Overall, the game runs well on lower-end hardware, but the persistent bugs detract from its overall polish and can significantly impact the gaming experience.

    • “Got to say that it was a pleasantly bug-free experience, so points for polish.”
    • “One of the biggest things I noticed about it is that for being a game from 2012, it was not buggy, nor were there any exploits in the game.”
    • “For a game as old as this one, the game looks fantastic, runs great, and is just a good game overall.”
    • “I wanted to like this game but it's just way too buggy, and crashes often.”
    • “Game is great but it's so buggy man, I keep spawning like 500 checkpoints behind where I stopped and I just gave up.”
    • “The game becomes an infuriating nuisance to even boot up into, and frequently freezes in startup or in game.”
  • optimization726 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its ability to run smoothly on a variety of hardware, including older systems, while others report significant performance issues, particularly after recent updates. Many users noted that the game can experience stuttering and frame drops, especially during intense gameplay, and that adjustments to settings, such as lowering PhysX, are often necessary for a better experience. Overall, while some players find the game well-optimized, others express frustration with its inconsistent performance on modern hardware.

    • “Zero performance issues and great optimization.”
    • “This game is very well optimized and can pretty much be run at high fidelity graphics on even lower end PCs.”
    • “Great game with smooth performance and fun missions!”
    • “Whatever update they did between 2 years ago and now has completely destroyed the performance.”
    • “First off, this game is so poorly optimized, cannot maintain a stable framerate during fights.”
    • “Game suffers from huge performance issues, even with physx off and low details.”
  • atmosphere504 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant, cartoonish art style and engaging sound design, which together create a lively and immersive experience. Players appreciate the unique blend of humor and serious undertones, with each area of the game offering distinct atmospheres that enhance exploration and gameplay. However, some critiques note that while the sequel improves on many aspects, it lacks the darker, more oppressive atmosphere of the original game, leading to mixed feelings among fans.

    • “It's a legendary game for a reason; everything works so seamlessly together, from the music, story, and atmosphere to the characters, combat, and environments that there's simply nothing to talk about but praise.”
    • “The world of Pandora feels alive and diverse, with each area offering its own distinct atmosphere and challenges to overcome.”
    • “The atmosphere is also top-notch, with excellent music that changes perfectly to fit the situation, a unique art style, a startling amount of environmental detail and little touches in every nook and cranny, and a very subtle day/night cycle that adds so much believability to this crazy world.”
    • “I disliked the atmosphere of the game, as it felt like there were too many enemies and not enough genuine interaction.”
    • “The game misses atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere of Borderlands 1 is missing - the music is unmemorable and the environment and mobs don't make it feel remote and 'mad-maxy'.”
  • emotional428 mentions

    The emotional aspect of Borderlands 2 is characterized by a unique blend of humor and heartfelt moments, with players often expressing surprise at the game's ability to evoke genuine feelings amidst its comedic chaos. While some reviews highlight the emotional depth and character development, others criticize the tonal shifts and predictability of certain plot points. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging narrative, memorable characters, and the emotional impact of specific story arcs, particularly in its DLCs.

    • “The narrative is a brilliant mix of humor, action, and emotional depth, with a storyline that is both gripping and endlessly entertaining.”
    • “This game was truly lightning in a bottle; dialogue manages to be simultaneously hilarious and still have emotional moments, the characters are a blast to play, and the gunplay is more unique and fun than a majority of games released after it.”
    • “The story is engaging and hilarious, managing to establish meaningful and emotional characters who are also immensely funny.”
    • “I honestly went into this game thinking that it was just going to be another boring game with lackluster characters and a boring storyline, but boy was I wrong.”
    • “Low variety of gameplay, boring story, annoying robot, not challenging at all, wouldn't ever pay again for it not even on a 99% sale.”
    • “Boring story and boring gameplay.”
  • monetization398 mentions

    The monetization practices in the game have drawn significant criticism, particularly for the intrusive advertisements that have been added to the main menu and gameplay, which many players find unacceptable in a title they have already purchased. Additionally, the introduction of microtransactions and DLCs is perceived as a cash grab, detracting from the overall experience and leading to frustrations over game performance and stability. Overall, players express disappointment with the shift towards aggressive monetization strategies, feeling that it undermines the integrity of the game.

    • “First off, this is a game that was built in the heyday of the 360 era, which means content aplenty, pleasing visuals that bridge the gap between basic and detailed, excellent DLC, and no microtransactions.”
    • “The minimal microtransactions are a mixed bag as while they are only skins and there's no real-money-to-virtual-currency bull in this game.”
    • “This game also scratched my gambling itch without making me pay a single cent on microtransactions.”
    • “Patching in advertisements for a 10 year old game, what fun.”
    • “The game is good, the developers are scumbags still 'updating' the game to put ads inside it even 10 years after its release.”
    • “I can't in good faith recommend paying for a game that has nagscreen advertisements in it.”
  • character development324 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely praised, particularly for its memorable antagonist, Handsome Jack, and the depth given to both main and minor characters. Players appreciate the balance of humor and emotional storytelling, with many noting that character arcs are engaging and contribute significantly to the overall narrative. However, some critiques highlight that certain character developments could have been better integrated or foreshadowed throughout the game, suggesting that while the character design is strong, the depth of development varies across different characters.

    • “The story in BL2 is solid, with enough character development to make you care without becoming a distraction.”
    • “Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep is probably the best expansion the series has ever seen, with some fantastic character development which really hits you.”
    • “The story writing and character development for this game is phenomenal.”
    • “No spoilers, but you don't really understand the emotional motivations of the villain until well over halfway through the game; it would have been more powerful to have these themes present throughout and foreshadow instead of suddenly springing character development twists that don't fit the tone of the scene, or having the player just listen to audio logs in an empty city, or having certain characters just spell things out for you.”
    • “After completing the game and playing again, you will notice certain things that coincide with some character development you learn later on, but its inclusion adds nothing to the overall story and could have been left out and changed nothing about the game.”
    • “The surface-level character design makes it difficult to get attached to any of the characters, as they are either gimmicky or simply a woman.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Borderlands 2

Play time

98hMedian play time
298hAverage play time
30hMain story
130hCompletionist
26-400hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 790 analyzed playthroughs

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