Borderlands 2 (PS3)

Borderlands 2 PS3 box
9.66 Overall Score
Graphics: 9/10
Mechanics: 10/10
Story: 10/10

Um, everything?

Having to wait for the DLC!

Game Info

GAME NAME: Borderlands 2

DEVELOPER(S): Gearbox

PUBLISHER(S): Take 2 Interactive

PLATFORM(S): PS3, Xbox 360, PC

GENRE(S): first-person shooter, role-playing game

RELEASE DATE(S): September 18, 2012

 

Ok, it’s no secret that I was at PAX East earlier this year (woot!). And probably the single longest wait of any booth or exhibit there was the line to play Borderlands 2.  In fact, the line was 2 hours long every time I checked it and I never did get inside the booth because I just wasn’t willing to wait that long with so much other videogamery to be seen. But the wait is over now because Gearbox finally released Borderlands 2 on September 18, 2012. And, man, oh, man, was it worth the wait!

Borderlands 2 takes place a few years after the close of the first game. The playable characters, while new, are easily seen as evolutions of the four main characters in the original game. The commando is a revamped, more offensive soldier. Zero is much like the sniper with a nifty bodysuit. The siren is still the siren, but with new abilities. The gunzerker is a more gun-friendly form of the berzerker. The villain this time around is a wise-cracking Hyperion executive named Handsome Jack. And he’s hell-bent on destroying the planet of Pandora by opening a new, larger Vault.

Borderlands 2: Characters

The core gameplay and mechanics are all still there, but they have been enhanced. This time around, any character can use any weapon, although there are still specializations that enhance certain weapon types for certain characters. The elemental mechanics are still mostly the same, although a new elemental weapon type, slag, has been added (slagged opponents take more damage from all other weapon types). There are now greater character and vehicle customizations, but all of the other core game mechanics and controls are still roughly the same.

Borderlands 2: Vehicle Combat

The sound and graphics are still both very top-knotch. The graphics are still the same cell-shaded animation, but I honestly think the game looks cleaner and crisper. The opening song, Short Change Hero by The Heavy, is just fantastic and totally fits with the game’s story. I’ve very little bad to say about either the graphics or the sound (Roland’s neck looks a bit rubbery and Mordechai’s constant sniping in some levels is a bit loud and repetitive).

Borderlands 2: Die, robot, die!

Let’s face it, if you loved Borderlands, you’re going to love Borderlands 2. Gearbox did a great job maintaining the look and feel and fun that the first title offered, while building on those strengths (like enhanced multiplayer gameplay). That is no small feat. Very few games come along that are as good as the original (Uncharted 2 and Assassin’s Creed 2 both spring to mind). I’m having a great time playing and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Borderlands 2 takes game of the year for 2012. I give it a strong 9.66 out of 10 and I highly recommend it.

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Author: Michael Bartok View all posts by

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