Borderlands Game of the Year
- August 31, 2023
- Gearbox Software
- 36h median play time
Get on Steam"Borderlands Game of the Year" is a Role Playing Shooter that combines frenetic first-person shooting action with accessible RPG character progression. Play as one of four mercenaries, facing the madness of the lawless planet Pandora, and hunt for the legendary alien technology, The Vault. The game features bazillions of guns and a maniacal multiplayer experience with up to four player co-op online. Experience the thrill of rocket-launching shotguns, enemy-torching revolvers, and SMGs that fire lightning rounds. Get ready to face the insanity and lock, load, and play!
Reviews
- story2,942 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story of "Borderlands" is often described as simple and somewhat lacking in depth, primarily serving as a backdrop for the game's action and loot-driven gameplay. Players embark on a quest as one of four "vault hunters" seeking a legendary vault on the planet Pandora, encountering a mix of humorous and quirky characters along the way. While the main narrative is not particularly engaging, the game compensates with a plethora of side missions and a unique art style, making it enjoyable for those who prioritize gameplay over a rich storyline.
“The story is extremely engrossing, and the characters are very relatable in their actions and motivations.”
“The game's story, which revolves around the search for the vault, is filled with unexpected twists, amusing dialogue, and larger-than-life personalities.”
“The storyline is well-crafted, with a perfect mix of humor, suspense, and drama.”
“The story is too basic because all you need to do is run errands for people to gain "access" into "the vault".”
“The story is mainly told through mission summaries and audio logs, which makes it feel disconnected and lacking depth.”
“The story is practically non-existent, simply, you're a vault hunter...go find the vault, with a load of side missions attached.”
- graphics1,171 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of Borderlands are characterized by a distinctive cel-shaded art style that many players find charming and timeless, allowing the game to age gracefully despite its 2009 release. While some reviews note that the visuals can feel dated or simplistic compared to modern standards, the unique comic book aesthetic and vibrant colors contribute to an engaging atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience. Overall, the graphics are generally well-received, with many players appreciating their quirky appeal and the game's ability to run smoothly on lower-end hardware.
“The game’s signature cel-shaded visuals and quirky characters create a vibrant and immersive world that stands out even in today’s gaming landscape.”
“The graphics still hold up because of its cartoon-like style.”
“The art style is beautiful and memorable, and the characters (including the enemies & random NPCs) are eccentric and charming.”
“The graphics are very dated but the enhanced version fixes that aspect of the game.”
“The gameplay was fantastic, the graphics were okay (this version has horrible screen tearing like you wouldn't believe. Nothing I did fixed this, so if it is fixable I wouldn't know) the loot was amazing!”
“The graphics are low enough to play on most computers but high enough to be pretty.”
- gameplay1,132 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Borderlands is characterized by its addictive blend of first-person shooter mechanics and RPG elements, offering a vast array of weapons and character customization options. While some players find the mechanics dated and the quests repetitive, many appreciate the humor, cooperative multiplayer experience, and the engaging loot system that keeps gameplay fresh. Overall, despite its flaws, the game remains a fun and enjoyable experience, especially when played with friends.
“The gameplay is fantastic, challenging even at the higher levels.”
“With its engrossing gameplay, memorable characters, and an abundance of content, Borderlands: Game of the Year offers both a nostalgic trip down memory lane and an opportunity for new players to experience the magic of the original Borderlands.”
“The gameplay is great, as well as co-op.”
“The gameplay is hilariously repetitive.”
“The gameplay can certainly be a turn-off compared to its successors with wild inaccuracy, slow nature, and remarkably punishing encounters.”
“The gameplay itself could get sometimes repetitive and even intense because even with really good weapons and headshots it took a lot to kill the enemy and if there was more of them, well, then it was not pleasant.”
- humor974 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in Borderlands is a defining feature, characterized by its dark, irreverent tone and quirky characters, particularly the iconic Claptrap. While some players find the humor genuinely funny and engaging, others feel it can be hit or miss, with certain jokes aging poorly or becoming repetitive. Overall, the game successfully blends comedic elements with action, creating memorable moments that enhance the gameplay experience, especially in cooperative play.
“Whether you're teaming up with the wise-cracking robot Claptrap or facing off against the psycho bandit leader, Handsome Jack, you'll never be short on memorable moments or hilarious dialogue.”
“The humor, the graphics (yes, it's unique), the guns, the gore - essentially everything I keep on loving about this game.”
“The witty writing and memorable characters add a delightful layer of humor to the intense action.”
“The humor ranges from cringey to chuckle-inducing.”
“It's a boring, cringy, forced-joke, tedious, unfunny chore.”
“The entire game is loaded with cringe-inducingly unfunny 'humor.' Battles take too long since enemies are all bullet sponges.”
- grinding274 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in the later stages and during certain DLCs. While some enjoy the loot farming and leveling mechanics, others feel that the grinding can detract from the overall experience, especially when playing solo. Overall, the game is best enjoyed with friends to alleviate the monotony of grinding tasks.
“Very well done, humor, guns, and a fantastic campaign that isn't too grindy.”
“The humor in these games is absolutely fantastic, basically infinite guns, amazing story, missions that don't get repetitive very easily (some will, mostly side missions) not very grindy, loads of content, great end game (Borderlands 2).”
“One of the best games ever made... still holds up 15 years later... no wokeness, no soy... fun game... not very grindy and long enough to not be bored with.”
“The downside to the DLC is it extends game time with very grindy tasks, which is annoying, more specifically Claptrap's collections and Moxxi's dome.”
“The grinding gameplay combined with a forgettable background music results in excruciatingly painful grind sessions.”
“The entire game is just one massive fetch quest padded by hundreds of smaller and more tedious fetch quests leading to a boring boss fight at the very end.”
- replayability255 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, largely due to its four unique characters, each with distinct skill trees and playstyles, allowing players to experience the game in various ways. The combination of extensive loot options, engaging DLCs, and a vibrant community further enhances its longevity, making it enjoyable even years after release. While some players note a decline in replay value after multiple playthroughs, the overall consensus is that the game offers countless hours of fun, especially in co-op mode.
“This thriving community adds an extra layer of replayability and customization, making the game feel fresh and exciting even years after its initial release.”
“With four unique characters to choose from, each with their own skill tree and customization options, the game offers endless replayability for players looking to try different strategies and playstyles.”
“The replay value is very high, I've beaten it twice and I am just coming back to beat it with another class.”
“The replay value suffers significantly from this as it feels like everything takes a back seat to the main story, which actually lets you fight things with good loot and take a chance at a chest or two.”
“While it's definitely worth the full price, it's on sale with 75% off once in a while, which is a steal considering its content and replay value.”
“However, stay away if you don't like repetitive gameplay and low replayability.”
- music223 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and immersion, particularly through its fitting soundtrack and memorable opening song. However, some players find the music repetitive and forgettable, noting that it often fails to stand out during gameplay. Overall, while the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's vibe, opinions vary on its novelty and impact.
“With a great soundtrack, narrative, dialogue, and humor, Borderlands is really a must-play for any gamer.”
“Easily one of the best video game soundtracks of all time.”
“The music is amazing, dramatically enriching the atmosphere and making it very easy to lose yourself in this post-apocalyptic dystopian wasteland.”
“The music in this game is boring and forgettable, mainly providing you with the occasional banjo string while fighting an onslaught of enemies.”
“The soundtrack didn’t help tie the action together which resulted in a limited experience.”
“The music is somewhat lacking in novelty; most tracks sound the same but they still do a good job of fitting the world.”
- atmosphere129 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of post-apocalyptic aesthetics, dark humor, and immersive sound design, creating a captivating and often gritty environment. While some players find it dull or repetitive at times, many appreciate its charm and the way it enhances the overall experience, particularly in comparison to later titles in the series. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's identity and enjoyment.
“The atmosphere in this game is simply unmatched.”
“The music, the atmosphere, the twisted humor, the loot, the shooting, the shooting.”
“The unique graphical style creates real atmosphere and the RPG elements keep you coming back for more even when you have finished the main missions.”
“The atmosphere is dull and gritty, giving it a more mature and serious vibe.”
“My only complaints are a somewhat barren and repetitive atmosphere, and a lack of cinematics and story, both of which have been improved upon in later installments.”
“In some places, there's a kind of depressive atmosphere because nobody is around you, like you are totally alone, no NPCs, etc.”
- stability89 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many users reporting a variety of bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including mission-breaking issues and visual anomalies. While some players find workarounds or minor fixes, the "Enhanced" version is particularly noted for being a "buggy mess," especially in cooperative play. Overall, while the game remains enjoyable, its stability issues are a significant drawback that can detract from the experience.
“The best Borderlands game hands down, it is unique, interesting, quirky, and relatively bug-free.”
“It runs great on my Windows 7 64-bit and didn't require any extra steps to install; it worked straight from the box, so to speak.”
“As for differences between this and the console versions, smoother gameplay, better graphics, absolutely no glitches.”
“The 'Borderlands Game of the Year Enhanced' edition is a buggy mess with audio issues, framerate issues, non-existent enemies popping in and out, and worst of all, shooting and aiming will stop working occasionally.”
“It's incredibly buggy: NPC speech cutting out randomly, cars flipping over randomly, getting stuck in geometry meaning I have to start back from the beginning of whatever area I entered, quest markers not updating sometimes.”
“I was going to recommend this game to a lot of people, but the game-breaking glitches are too much and happen way too frequently.”
- optimization66 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting smooth performance even on older systems, while others experience significant issues such as stuttering, low frame rates, and poor controller support. Many users noted that the game struggles with optimization for PC, particularly in comparison to its sequels, leading to frustration among those with higher-end setups. Overall, while some players enjoy stable performance, a considerable number highlight the game's subpar optimization as a major drawback.
“I have a low-end PC (i5-3570k running at stock, 4GB of system RAM, and a GTX 650 Ti Boost) and this game is so well optimized that I play it with everything cranked up at 1080p, and it runs at a locked frame rate of 62 FPS without dropping a single frame.”
“The game runs smoothly, with very minimal lag even on the crappiest computers.”
“Apart from that, the game is very well optimized and stable, running perfectly on my old 2008 computer, so it's a must-have if you haven't tried it yet.”
“Terribly optimized piece of shit, with all the cartoonish graphics you'd think it could run even on a raw potato but no, the frame rate drops below 20 on my PC which it runs smoothly with most of the games that came out after 2015 like Division and Witcher 3, so yeah I blame the game.”
“The optimization is terrible.”
“Overall good game but poorly optimized for the PC platform without tampering with the flux capacitor.”
- character development25 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally viewed as limited, with some players noting a lack of depth in both personal and NPC growth, while others appreciate the unique designs and playstyles of the characters. The gameplay allows for some progression through class mods and elemental artifacts, but many feel that the overall narrative and character arcs could be more engaging. Despite these criticisms, the game's humor, immersive world, and enjoyable mechanics provide a fun experience for those who prioritize action over deep storytelling.
“Fantastic character design, gameplay geared to making you feel god-like in most situations and unphased by death in those situations where you're brought to earth, and an entertaining storyline.”
“Character development in this game is brilliant, if not a little overwhelming at first.”
“The character development is fun, and all of the characters really have a uniqueness to them in design and playstyle.”
“Character development is pretty absent with a few exceptions.”
“The story introduces you to the world of Pandora and the major themes, but there isn't really any character development.”
“Though the game lacks in in-depth story and true character development, the play style and the world itself give this game a tremendous level of enjoyment.”
- emotional14 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players feeling miserable due to clunky mechanics and a lackluster story, while others appreciate the intriguing existential themes and occasional emotional moments. However, many agree that the emotional connections with characters are weak, and the overall experience is marred by repetitive gameplay and technical issues. Ultimately, it seems that while there are glimpses of emotional depth, they are overshadowed by the game's shortcomings.
“It made me feel so miserable.”
“The quirky, full-tilt drama that unfolds as you bounce between one crap city and another one is an intriguing one, touching on existential themes like the meaning of life and humanizing those on the other side of war.”
“7/10 would cry again”
“This one has many problems: clunky movements, a terrible HUD, and not friendly or efficient mechanics at all (you have to manually pick up money/health/ammo on the ground and confirm every time you want to buy anything, ammo included). The aim system is terrible, and the story is very boring, filled with uninteresting characters, quests, and upgrades.”
“It's got repetitive gameplay, a boring story, and is loaded with bugs and glitches. It has some good moments, but they are not enough to save it.”
- monetization11 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 55 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, as it includes all content without additional microtransactions or DLC costs, contrasting favorably with other titles that rely heavily on such practices. However, some users express frustration over intrusive advertising for new games within older titles, which they consider a poor business tactic. Overall, players appreciate the absence of microtransactions, highlighting it as a significant advantage.
“It's frustrating that there's still some bugs that persist around turning in certain missions, but big bonus points to the fact that this purchase includes everything in the complete game and doesn't nickel and dime you for DLCs or microtransactions.”
“Funny enough, Borderlands is a game from 2009 and has more content and variety than Anthem on day one, which is a game with a triple-A budget published by EA in 2019 fueled by big sales of microtransactions.”
“Microtransactions = false.”
“Shoves advertising for new games into old games, scum business tactic”
“If you want a game full of microtransactions and want to be threatened to be sued if you attempt to make any mods for it, a game owned by Take-Two Interactive is perfect for you.”
“To end my review, I would like to state to those of you who hate DLC and say it is just a cash grab.”
