“Borderlands 2” is a Must-Have

Gearbox Software struck big in 2009 with the release of a quirky game called “Borderlands,” a revolutionary first-person shooter with a gameplay mechanic that set it apart from every other shooter: random guns and loot.
In “Borderlands,” players take on the role of Vault Hunter, a mercenary out to find the treasures lurking in an ancient alien vault on the desert planet of Pandora.
The objective of the game is simple: kill everything, then collect treasure, with the treasure being money and guns.
The main point of the game is that no two guns are alike, meaning the guns may look alike, but statistics like damage, accuracy, and fire rate could dramatically vary.
This formula, along with story and gameplay, was so original that it led “Borderlands” to win many awards, break the world record for most guns in a video game and inspire a sequel with even more guns.
“Borderlands 2,” released in September, takes place two years after the events of the first game and effectively keeps the creativity alive.
This sequel lets players choose one of four new Vault Hunters in search of the recently discovered second vault in a race against time to stop a villian named Handsome Jack from opening it up and using its power to enslave the planet of Pandora.
The gameplay formula of “Borderlands” was such a success with the the public that Gearbox left it alone.
Instead, they asked the fans what they could improve upon, which led to the game’s menus being more user-friendly.
With the introduction of the four new playable characters, “Borderlands 2” also ushers in a ton of new, colorful enviornments, ranging from arctic zones to futuristic cities.
This is a huge, refreshing improvement from the same desert setting used in every single level of the first game.
Guns and looting weren’t the only things that set “Borderlands” apart from every other game on the market: it was how crazy it was.
Players are pitted against everything from alien dog-like creatures called skags; tribes of psychotic, murderous bandits; and a variety of epic boss battles.
The art style of the game itself is also unique, using cel-shading to give the game a comic book, cartoonish twist on reality. Compared to shooters like the Call of Duty franchise’s realistic approach, “Borderlands” is kind of a parody, offering a fresh perspective on the genre.
Multiplayer is still as fluid as in the first game, letting up to four players join one player’s game and complete missions and fight enemies simultaneously.
Players can jump in and out of each other’s games freely with any character they wish.
Furthermore, since the game’s four Vault Hunters each specialize with different weapons, fighting styles and powers as they level up, this gives players chances to strategize and work together.
Fans of the first game’s fun, over-the-top cooperative gameplay should feel at home playing “Borderlands 2.”
With dozens of new enviornments to explore; (somehow) even more guns; a consistent, entertaining plot; and new characters to take out for a spin, Gearbox has produced another winner.
Changing any part of the gameplay would’ve spelled disaster, so with a fresh coat of paint and some help from it’s fans, “Borderlands 2” has become a must-have in any gamer’s collection.