Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

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Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is a single player and multiplayer open world role playing shooter game with comedy and science fiction themes. It was developed by Aspyr (Linux) and was released on October 16, 2014. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel" is a first-person shooter RPG set in the Borderlands universe, taking place between the original game and Borderlands 2. It follows the story of Handsome Jack's rise to power and features new low-gravity gameplay, ice and laser weapons, and vehicles for more destructive mayhem. Explore Pandora's moon and battle new enemies in this exciting prequel.

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76%

Audience ScoreBased on 25,340 reviews

story2.5k positive mentions

grinding694 negative mentions

The game provides a deeper understanding of Handsome Jack's character and motivations, adding layers to the narrative.
Gameplay retains the series' signature mix of fast-paced gunplay and cooperative multiplayer, with new mechanics like low-gravity movement.
The cel-shaded art style and vibrant environments maintain the franchise's aesthetic, offering a visually appealing experience.

The pacing is criticized for being slow, with repetitive fetch quests and a lack of engaging content compared to previous titles.
The introduction of intrusive advertisements in a paid game has drawn significant criticism, leading to perceptions of a cash grab.
The game is plagued by numerous bugs and performance issues, which detract from the overall experience and enjoyment.

story
9,420 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
64%
10%
The story of "Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel" primarily focuses on the rise of Handsome Jack, providing a deeper understanding of his character and motivations leading into "Borderlands 2." While some players appreciate the humor and character interactions, many criticize the pacing, repetitive fetch quests, and overall lack of engaging content compared to its predecessors. Overall, the narrative is seen as a mixed bag, with some finding it enjoyable for its lore and others deeming it a disappointing addition to the franchise.
- “The story gives some really good context and backstory for Handsome Jack's descent into madness, but it's nothing worth an exclamation mark.”
- “The pre-sequel takes us to Pandora’s moon and gives us a front-row seat to Handsome Jack’s villain origin story—and wow, what a ride.”
- “The story adds another layer with Handsome Jack, giving a closer look at how he became the character he is in Borderlands 2.”
- “The pre-sequel feels like it's just there to add some story before they really decided to make another actual Borderlands.”
- “The story fails to grab attention, with weak pacing and characters that don’t leave much of an impression.”
- “The story is a bit messy, but the characters are fun and keep the game entertaining.”
gameplay
4,559 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
62%
7%
The gameplay of "Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel" retains the core mechanics of its predecessors, offering a familiar looter-shooter experience with new elements like low-gravity movement and oxygen management. While many players appreciate the fresh mechanics and character abilities, some find the oxygen system tedious and the overall gameplay less engaging compared to "Borderlands 2." Despite its flaws, the game is generally seen as a fun addition to the series, especially for fans looking for more chaotic action and humor.
- “Gameplay retains the series’ signature mix of fast-paced gunplay, RPG progression, and cooperative multiplayer.”
- “The setting on Pandora’s moon, Elpis, introduces new movement and combat mechanics tied to low gravity and oxygen management.”
- “The low-gravity mechanics add a layer of strategy and unpredictability to the familiar Borderlands gunfights.”
- “The low-gravity mechanics and oxygen system are more annoying than fun.”
- “The oxygen mechanic is just an annoyance, not a challenge.”
- “The gameplay is essentially a carbon copy of Borderlands 2, from the loot system to the humor, art style, and skill trees.”
humor
2,366 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The humor in "Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel" is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while it retains the series' signature irreverence and absurdity, it often falls short compared to its predecessors, particularly "Borderlands 2." Some find the Australian humor charming and funny, while others feel it lacks the sharp wit and memorable lines of earlier games, leading to a perception of forced or juvenile jokes. Overall, the game offers moments of genuine humor, especially through character interactions and side quests, but many reviews suggest that the comedic elements are less impactful and more hit-or-miss than in previous installments.
- “The humor and writing follow the established Borderlands tone—sarcastic, over-the-top, and self-aware.”
- “Claptrap’s antics still make me groan and laugh simultaneously, and Handsome Jack’s rise to villainy is as hilarious as it is horrifying.”
- “That alone made it worth playing through, even if the humor and pacing don’t always hit the same highs.”
- “The worst part is, which they doubled down on in the later games, are the unskippable sections that have you wait for the punchline of the fifteenth unfunny dick joke before the door opens and you can shoot things.”
- “This game was so full of unfunny ironic observation dialogue, tedious quests, and annoying bugs that it made my friend hate gaming and me by association.”
- “The humor in this title is just not funny.”
graphics
903 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
66%
3%
The graphics of "Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel" maintain the franchise's signature cel-shaded art style, which is generally praised for its vibrant and colorful aesthetics. However, many reviewers note that the visuals do not significantly improve upon those of "Borderlands 2," leading to mixed feelings about the game's graphical fidelity. While some players appreciate the timeless quality of the art style, others criticize the lack of innovation and technical advancement, suggesting that the graphics feel dated compared to modern standards.
- “Visually, the game maintains the cel-shaded art style with colorful environments ranging from lunar bases to frozen wastelands.”
- “The graphics really hold up, and the game is incredibly stable.”
- “The graphics are still passable, but the gameplay is really clunky and bad — not fun at all.”
- “Graphics suck, don't like the art direction, the grind and mediocre story.”
- “The graphics are like a 2004 game.”
- “The graphics keep the same art direction of the franchise and it doesn't bring a lot of improvements or new visuals with the same design of monsters, weapons, and characters.”
grinding
727 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The grinding aspect of "Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive. While some appreciate the grinding mechanics for leveling up and loot acquisition, others criticize the lack of respawnable bosses and the excessive backtracking required for quests, which can make the gameplay feel like a chore. Overall, the game is seen as more grind-heavy than its predecessors, leading to a less enjoyable experience for those who prefer a more streamlined approach to progression.
- “Next to no farming was required for achievements, which I appreciate greatly.”
- “Edit: turns out not farming bosses isn't a bug, which makes for the pre-sequel to be a worse product overall, as farming bosses for high tier loot is what keeps a vast majority of the community active, and by further extent, is what makes players return to this franchise for multiple playthroughs.”
- “If there was no grinding involved, I'm probably an hour from finishing the game, which I know is ridiculous to give up now, but I wasn't having fun anymore and being asked to repeat previous levels and zones to get my character to the level it needed to be was a chore I didn't want to undertake.”
- “The game was decent, but no raid bosses was honestly disappointing; also, grinding to max level was just an awful experience.”
- “The only thing I hate about this game is that it isn't made with UVHM (Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode) in mind; the leveling balance is way off, and the grind from 50 to 70 (max level cap) is the true definition of insanity.”
- “Overall, it just makes for a boring experience; it's the only game in the Borderlands franchise that I haven't beaten multiple times because it just feels so tedious to run through.”
stability
458 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The stability of "Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel" has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous game-breaking bugs, frequent crashes, and frustrating glitches that hinder gameplay. Issues such as vehicles getting stuck, quest items disappearing, and characters clipping through the environment are common, leading many to describe the game as a "buggy mess." Despite these problems, some players still find enjoyment in the game, suggesting that it may appeal primarily to dedicated fans of the series willing to tolerate its technical shortcomings.
- “Overall great game runs great on my PC.”
- “The game runs great and is optimized very well.”
- “Still runs great on old hardware.”
- “There is a game-breaking bug on the first mission when loading into the moon shooter, and then going to the next area, which never happens, because when you go to the next area, it freezes and crashes.”
- “The game is incredibly buggy and relies too heavily on needing one specific elemental damage for one area and all of them for multiple phase boss fights.”
- “The game is a buggy mess, in case you prefer playing sniper-like characters, don't bother trying to get particularly high stacks of buff that depend on you not missing your target, the colliders on enemies sometimes just don't work, so you shoot right through them, even if they are frozen in place!”
music
394 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
60%
10%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its electronic and synthwave elements that fit the space setting, while others criticize it as bland and forgettable compared to previous titles in the series. Many players noted that the soundtrack lacks the memorable tracks found in "Borderlands 2," leading to a perception of it being less engaging or even annoying at times. Overall, while some found enjoyment in the music, a significant portion of the community felt it fell short of expectations, often preferring to play their own music instead.
- “Sound design is strong, with punchy weapon effects, solid voice acting, and a fitting electronic soundtrack.”
- “The soundtrack is exceptional; I think all the games in the franchise never disappoint when it comes to soundtracks.”
- “The music, gunplay, and loot are always top-notch, and I wish there were more random encounters or bosses to loot from.”
- “It's really sad (and bizarre) how bad and boring this game’s music is.”
- “The music is like elevator music, dull, pointless, and designed to be totally not exciting.”
- “The soundtrack is mostly ambient sound, which changes depending on the situation (combat or exploration), it's good enough, but it's not something you'll pay a lot of attention to.”
monetization
379 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
1%
98%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism from users, primarily due to the introduction of intrusive advertisements in a paid title, which many perceive as a blatant cash grab. Players express frustration over the collection of personal data and online activity for targeted advertising, feeling that these practices detract from the gaming experience and exploit loyal fans. Overall, the sentiment reflects a strong discontent with the aggressive monetization strategies employed by the developers, overshadowing the game's quality and enjoyment.
- “No microtransactions with the lootbox mechanic being available via free keys regularly distributed to customers.”
- “Basically a hilarious FPS loot-fest before the days of microtransactions and pay-to-win shenanigans.”
- “There is no cash grab here, there is no 'sell DLC as a game' - this is BL3, plain and simple.”
- “Ads in a paid game? Get lost.”
- “What a disgusting cash grab.”
- “As much as I have long enjoyed several Borderlands titles over the years, it is absolutely enraging to have Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, a product I paid for - without ads - force an ad down my throat every time I load the game.”
replayability
325 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
60%
10%
The replayability of "Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel" is a mixed bag among players. While some appreciate the unique character abilities and dialogue that encourage multiple playthroughs, many criticize the game for its lack of endgame content, underwhelming loot, and fewer farmable bosses compared to its predecessors, resulting in significantly lower replay value overall. Overall, it offers some replayability, especially in co-op mode, but it does not reach the heights of "Borderlands 2."
- “Gunplay feels fantastic, the gameplay stays consistently entertaining, and there is solid replay value, whether it is trying out different characters, leveling up existing ones, or hunting for better weapons and new skills.”
- “The player characters talk in this one, which opens up new personalities and fun replayability moments to see how people reacted differently.”
- “Each character offers unique abilities and skill trees, adding replayability and variety to the gameplay.”
- “Loot is underwhelming here, with the majority of bosses not farmable, with much less replayability than Borderlands 2.”
- “The lack of an endgame hits hard in a game about grinding gear and replayability, but that's not to say I didn't enjoy this game a lot.”
- “The main story is short and doesn't provide much replayability.”
atmosphere
285 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
57%
18%
The atmosphere in "Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the unique low-gravity and zero-atmosphere mechanics that add a fresh twist to gameplay. However, some reviewers found the overall environment to be dull and lacking the vibrant charm of previous entries, often describing it as lifeless or repetitive. While the game introduces interesting elements like oxygen management and new weapon types, the execution of its atmospheric design has left some fans feeling indifferent or disappointed compared to earlier titles in the series.
- “The atmosphere feels alive, with moonlit landscapes filled with both danger and humor.”
- “The outer space atmosphere is also really cool and the story is amazing.”
- “The game is great for the story and the atmosphere, however this game is living proof that the Australians are useless and cannot do anything right.”
- “While objectively it's not really a bad game, the atmosphere, level design, and story left me feeling strangely indifferent.”
- “The atmosphere of this game... didn't really do it for me.”
- “The atmosphere is boring.”
optimization
167 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
47%
28%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering and crashes, particularly on AMD GPUs. While some users found it runs well on lower-end systems and noted improvements over previous titles, others criticized it for being poorly optimized, especially for higher-end hardware, leading to inconsistent frame rates and gameplay disruptions. Overall, the optimization appears to be a major drawback, overshadowing the game's potential enjoyment.
- “With 'low specs experience' you can significantly improve the overall performance – which is nice.”
- “It's a really well-optimized game considering my potato laptop, so it's an easy recommendation from me.”
- “The game runs smoothly, the graphics are pretty, and the mechanics are good.”
- “For how long this game has been out, it's crazy that it's so unoptimized.”
- “But the PC version is a stuttering trash heap.”
- “I'm so tired of the poor optimization of this game.”
character development
89 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
59%
8%
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the depth and backstory of characters like Handsome Jack, while others criticize the overall lack of depth and coherence in the narrative. Players appreciate the vibrant character designs and the unique interactions, but many feel that certain characters, particularly newcomers, lack sufficient development compared to previous installments. Overall, while there are standout moments and engaging arcs, the execution varies significantly across the game, leading to a somewhat polarized reception.
- “I love the character development of Jack and the backstory of many others that were only slightly featured as side characters like Athena, Nisha, and Wilhelm.”
- “The main storyline is very fun and nice to play through; the character development and twists are great and add to the experience.”
- “It's interesting to see the character development that Jack goes through on his descent toward Handsome Jack.”
- “Some players may find the storyline and character development to be lacking depth or impact.”
- “I used Athena during my first playthrough and she started off as a wet blanket but got some mild character development later on, not enough to be considered redeemable though.”
- “But overall I was disappointed with the lack of character development.”
emotional
87 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
1%
29%
The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over a lack of depth and resonance in the storyline compared to previous entries in the franchise. While some moments and characters, particularly Felicity and Claptrap, evoke genuine feelings, the overall narrative is often described as boring, repetitive, and undermined by forced humor and poor pacing. This has led to a sense of apathy among players, with many feeling emotionally disconnected from the game despite its attempts at darker themes and character development.
- “This is not just a game; it's an emotional masterpiece that wove its narrative threads into the fabric of my existence, rescuing me from the depths of despair.”
- “The claptastic voyage is one of, if not the most memorable DLCs in the franchise for its story that is at once hilarious and heartbreaking.”
- “This game made me a bit emotional at times and I love the fact that the story shows who Jack really was before bad things happened, and it shows, over time, how his character changed for the worse, how he slowly began to lose his sanity and hate the Crimson Raiders.”
- “A below average game, terrible design decisions, boring story, shallow characters, frustrating gameplay.”
- “Not only is it a boring storyline, but the dialogue goes on for minutes on end, and objectives don't show up until the NPC is done droning.”
- “This game had dry gameplay, a boring story, it was unfinished for almost a full year, and it really just seemed like the developers at Gearbox didn't give a damn about it.”

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33h Median play time

1518h Average play time

18h Main story

58h Completionist

10-100h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 158 analyzed playthroughs

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Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is a open world role playing shooter game with comedy and science fiction themes.

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox Series X|S and others.

The main story can be completed in around 18 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 58 hours to finish. On average players spend around 1518 hours playing Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel.

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel was released on October 16, 2014.

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel was developed by Aspyr (Linux).

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Borderlands 3, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, Borderlands Game of the Year, Borderlands, Borderlands 2 and others.

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