Tales from the Borderlands

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 18,398 reviews
  • story
  • humor
  • gameplay
Tales from the Borderlands Game Cover
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"Tales from the Borderlands" is a narrative-driven adventure game set in the chaotic world of Pandora. Players control a cast of misfits seeking to change their world, facing off against planetary invasions, ruthless enemies, and corporate greed. Choices made throughout the game shape the story, creating a unique experience for each player in this thrilling, humorous adventure.

  • iPad
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  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
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  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 18,398 reviews
story5,482 positive mentions
stability94 negative mentions
  • story10,866 mentions

    The story of "Tales from the Borderlands" is widely praised for its engaging narrative, rich character development, and humor that captures the essence of the Borderlands universe. Players appreciate the clever writing and unexpected plot twists, which keep them invested throughout the episodic journey, even if the choices made often lead to similar outcomes. Overall, it is considered one of the best story-driven games, offering a unique blend of comedy and emotional depth that resonates with both fans of the franchise and newcomers alike.

    • “The story is well written, no character is annoying, and I loved to see them all interact with each other.”
    • “The story is engaging, and I highly recommend it!”
    • “This game is a masterpiece; it would slightly make more sense if you played the other Borderlands games, but in my opinion, you don't really need to. It's a mix of comedic/action story with smart choice-making that can affect the ending/relationships between characters.”
    • “As the game makes it very clear in an early episode: the entire story is a series of making really bad choices.”
    • “My only complaint is that I felt like the story would have ended the same way no matter what choices I made or didn't make.”
    • “Your choices may not alter the story drastically but they do change who your allies are which is a nice alternative to the false pretense that all your choices will change the course of the story.”
  • humor4,438 mentions

    The humor in "Tales from the Borderlands" is widely praised for its sharp wit and engaging storytelling, effectively capturing the quirky and irreverent tone of the Borderlands franchise. Players appreciate the blend of laugh-out-loud moments with genuine emotional depth, making it both entertaining and relatable. The game's dialogue and character interactions are highlighted as particularly funny, with many noting that it successfully balances humor with more serious themes, creating a memorable and enjoyable experience.

    • “The dialogue is sharp and often hilarious, with moments of genuine emotional depth that ground the game's more zany elements.”
    • “This game is hilarious; that's really all you need to know.”
    • “Tales from the Borderlands is a great game for anyone who enjoys the Telltale setup and gameplay with the added humor, art style, and characters from the Borderlands series.”
    • “The characters are all idiots and pricks who talk like they're in an unfunny sitcom, just desperate to be funny and everything falls flat.”
    • “Compared to Borderlands 2, the characters are uninteresting and unfunny.”
    • “It's not funny anymore...”
  • gameplay1,644 mentions

    The gameplay of "Tales from the Borderlands" is primarily driven by Telltale's signature style, which emphasizes narrative and character development over traditional gameplay mechanics. Players engage in a series of dialogue choices and quick-time events, creating an interactive story experience that some find engaging while others criticize for its lack of depth and action. Overall, the game is described as more of an interactive movie, appealing to fans of storytelling and humor rather than those seeking intense gameplay.

    • “Telltale's hallmark choice-based gameplay allows players to shape the story through decisions that feel consequential, although the overarching narrative remains largely linear.”
    • “If you enjoy Borderlands humor and the Telltale games' slower, story-focused gameplay, you will love this game; the comedy is on point.”
    • “The gameplay is great in Tales from the Borderlands, even though it’s nothing like a traditional Borderlands game.”
    • “The gameplay is not like your typical video game: it comprises quick time events and selecting dialogue choices.”
    • “There's not really much in terms of gameplay outside of quick time events and mild walking around in rare instances, so it never really classified as a game in my opinion.”
    • “The gameplay consists mostly of annoying quick time events and pointless dialogue choices which have zero impact on the plot.”
  • music1,512 mentions

    The music in "Tales from the Borderlands" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its exceptional soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's narrative and atmosphere. The choice of licensed songs and original compositions enhances emotional moments and adds to the overall immersive experience, making it a standout feature of the game. Many players noted that the musical intros and outros for each episode are particularly memorable, often leaving a lasting impression and even prompting them to add the songs to their personal playlists.

    • “The soundtrack complements the gameplay perfectly, enhancing the atmosphere and adding to the overall immersion.”
    • “The music is fantastic and the story is pretty rich.”
    • “The music and humor are the life and soul of Tales from the Borderlands.”
    • “The soundtrack was a complete miss here, entirely lackluster and totally off point.”
    • “The music slowly becomes clashing with the ambience and atmosphere that the story seems to create and, whether or not this discordant music was deliberately made so to advocate certain feelings within the players, it certainly leaves an ambivalent reaction, which certain players may or may not enjoy.”
    • “I didn't really focus on the sounds, sounded just like it should've, but the music is another story.”
  • emotional1,012 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Tales from the Borderlands" has been widely praised, with players expressing surprise at the depth of feelings it evokes amidst its humor and action. Many reviewers noted that the game successfully blends comedic moments with heartfelt scenes, leading to genuine emotional investment in the characters, including unexpected attachments to figures like Loader Bot. Overall, players described the experience as an emotional rollercoaster, filled with laughter, tears, and impactful storytelling that resonates long after the game ends.

    • “It's rare that I get emotional when an NPC doesn't make it, but this game gets you to connect on another level.”
    • “The story is very eventful but also emotional, and honestly, it's my favorite Telltale game so far because it simply combines all the good things and doesn't seem too drawn out.”
    • “I never thought I'd grow emotionally attached to characters from the Borderlands.”
  • graphics978 mentions

    The graphics of "Tales from the Borderlands" maintain the cel-shaded art style characteristic of the Borderlands series, creating a visually distinctive and colorful experience that complements its narrative-driven gameplay. While many players appreciate the unique aesthetic and humor, some note that the graphics can appear dated and are occasionally marred by glitches and inconsistencies, particularly in character animations and lip-syncing. Overall, the visuals are generally well-received, with fans of the franchise finding them fitting and enjoyable despite some technical shortcomings.

    • “Graphically, Tales from the Borderlands maintains the cel-shaded art style of its predecessors, creating a visually distinctive experience that complements its comic book-like narrative.”
    • “The cel-shaded graphics bring the world of Pandora to life, with vibrant colors and detailed environments.”
    • “The graphics are beautifully designed and the acting is awesome.”
    • “The graphics on this are honestly outdated and not really great and it still has some hitching and other stuff during gameplay but other than that the game was an absolute joy to play and had an incredible story to tell.”
    • “The graphics, while still maintaining the unique borderlands style, look dated.”
    • “My biggest complaint is that the graphics (in particular some of the characters' animations) could be better, but despite being somewhat aware of their shortcomings, they never got in the way of the storyline and I quickly got used to it.”
  • replayability214 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its potential for multiple playthroughs due to meaningful choices that affect dialogue and character interactions, while others note that the impact of these choices is often minimal, leading to a more linear experience. Many reviewers enjoyed the humor and storytelling enough to warrant revisiting the game, but some expressed that the unskippable scenes and limited major choices could hinder the overall replay value. Overall, it seems that while there is some replayability, it may not be as extensive as in other narrative-driven games.

    • “Your decisions have real consequences, which adds a layer of depth and replayability.”
    • “I enjoyed it since you do have a timer when it comes to your decisions which means the replayability is great if you’re looking for multiple playthroughs with entirely different outcomes and dialogue.”
    • “Easily one of the best games I have ever played, so much replayability to see other choices and how they end up, and in need of a sequel!”
    • “Otherwise, you can watch playthroughs of this game somewhere else without spending money but your time, because unlike Detroit or some other serious narrative games, this one has such minor decisions and consequences of your choices that are barely noticeable, which makes this game irrelevant in terms of replayability.”
    • “Not much replay value though unless you wanted to go through again and try being different with your responses, but there's not that many different outcomes based on what you pick and the main story carries through either way.”
    • “Unskippable scenes - even if you've already seen them - heavily reduce the replayability value: I'm not sitting listening to the same jokes for the second time, it's just a waste of time.”
  • atmosphere190 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Tales from the Borderlands" is widely praised for its vibrant and immersive qualities, effectively capturing the unique humor and style of the Borderlands franchise. Reviewers highlight the game's rich storytelling, memorable characters, and a soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, making players feel deeply connected to the world of Pandora. The blend of Telltale's narrative approach with the quirky, chaotic essence of Borderlands results in a compelling atmosphere that resonates with both fans of the series and newcomers alike.

    • “The soundtrack complements the gameplay perfectly, enhancing the atmosphere and adding to the overall immersion.”
    • “The atmosphere they were able to create, and storylines of every character were superb.”
    • “Telltale nailed the atmosphere of the borderlands franchise and really delivered on this game, one of their best in years.”
    • “It unintentionally created this very dead atmosphere, which gave me a bad impression of an already disappointing finale.”
    • “The music slowly becomes clashing with the ambience and atmosphere that the story seems to create and, whether or not this discordant music was deliberately made so to advocate certain feelings within the players, it certainly leaves an ambivalent reaction, which certain players may or may not enjoy.”
    • “If you want your Borderlands experience to avoid any serious tone, you may not like the atmosphere of the game.”
  • character development172 mentions

    Character development in "Tales from the Borderlands" is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, with players noting that choices significantly impact character interactions and relationships. The writing, humor, and voice acting contribute to a rich narrative experience, making players feel attached to the characters and invested in their journeys. While some reviews mention a desire for even more character depth, the overall consensus highlights the game's strong focus on storytelling and character growth as standout features.

    • “The character development in this game is unparalleled, with the bond between the characters growing and sometimes completely burning. But hey, wouldn't be a choose-your-own-adventure game if you couldn't control who you like, right?”
    • “Some of the best storytelling and character development I've seen in a video game.”
    • “This is a fantastic story, with rich, well-thought-out character development on many levels.”
    • “Part of the problem is the complete lack of character development.”
    • “We do get character development sure, but most characters aren't fleshed out, or even, flesh-outable. The fact that towards the end of the game I was supposed to feel sad/happy/whatever towards some of the characters was a revelation in itself.”
    • “Character development isn't as good as other Telltale titles go, for example, The Walking Dead Season 1 and 2, and Game of Thrones, The Wolf Among Us.”
  • stability100 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting minor graphical glitches and occasional bugs, particularly in the PC port, which has been described as unplayable at times due to crashes and save errors. While some users noted that these issues were not game-breaking and did not detract significantly from the overall experience, others found the gameplay to be quite buggy, especially during quick-time events. Overall, the game is generally well put together, but players should be prepared for some technical hiccups.

    • “Awesome game that ran well with no glitches or bugs.”
    • “It’s overall bug-free, although I did notice a few graphical glitches from time to time.”
    • “With better lip-syncing and no glitches (the only negative things I can think of for this game).”
    • “However, the PC port was so buggy, it was unplayable at times with crashing and errors on my save.”
    • “A game with barely any gameplay should not suffer from this many glitches.”
    • “Only negative things I can say are that I encountered a few glitches, one which crashed my game and wouldn't play to the point that I had to completely re-install the game again, which wasn't a pleasant experience, but that didn't take much away from the brilliant experience I had with this episode.”
  • optimization74 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant stuttering, freezing, and input issues, particularly with mouse controls, while others report smooth performance even on older hardware. While the Telltale engine shows some improvements over previous titles, many users still find it lacking and in need of further refinement. Overall, the game's technical performance is described as a "mess" by some, yet others have had no issues, indicating a varied experience depending on individual setups.

    • “The game is incredibly well optimized and should be able to be played on nearly every computer from as early as 2009-2010.”
    • “Optimization - 10/10 - I see no problems with the optimization.”
    • “Also, the game's performance is an improvement over other Telltale games.”
    • “Literally unplayable, constant stuttering and freezing despite (according to Steam's displayed FPS) reaching 200+ FPS.”
    • “To start with, the technical performance is a mess.”
    • “My only main issue is that the mouse is terribly optimized and has a 3-second delay in movement.”
  • grinding60 mentions

    Overall, reviews indicate that "Tales from the Borderlands" significantly reduces the grinding typically associated with the series, focusing instead on narrative and character development. Players appreciate the absence of tedious loot farming and fetch quests, allowing for a more engaging story experience, though some mention that certain gameplay elements can still feel repetitive. The game is praised for its clever writing and humor, making it a refreshing alternative for those weary of traditional grinding mechanics.

    • “The gameplay makes sense, the quick time events aren't tedious or frustrating.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The game is slow, tedious, and in the first hour none of the humor was actually funny.”
    • “Borderlands titles are a bit one-sided when it comes to their content and could easily be described by several people as 'boring' or 'grindy.'”
  • monetization12 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is perceived as a cash grab, yet it surprisingly integrates well into the Borderlands lore, enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the absence of microtransactions and commend the development of new characters and backstories, which contribute positively to the game's charm despite initial skepticism.

    • “There are no microtransactions, which is a huge plus for the overall experience.”
    • “I really appreciate that there are no microtransactions in this game.”
    • “The absence of microtransactions makes the game feel fair and enjoyable.”
    • “In the end, this is obviously a cash grab, but it's a cash grab that made it into the canon lore of the Borderlands.”
    • “I went into this game with very low expectations, thinking it was a shameless cash grab.”
    • “This whole game is an advertisement for Hyperion's Loader Bot.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Play time

11hMedian play time
31hAverage play time
11hMain story
12hCompletionist
6-18hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 72 analyzed playthroughs

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