Apr 2019
Prepare your best gaming snacks and buckle up, because we’re diving into the chaotic world of Pandora with the remastered edition of Borderlands: Game of the Year. If you’re ready to laugh, loot, and blast some ridiculous baddies, you’re in for a treat. Think of this as your madcap trip through a cartoon hellscape with a sprinkling of loot-laden goodness. Let's peek under the colorful, sloppy exterior of its characters and narrative.
At heart, Borderlands feels like a delightful mix of a first-person shooter and a role-playing game that throws in enough loot to make a treasure hunter weep. You start off by choosing one of four Vault Hunters, each more over-the-top than the last—think of it as your chance to live out your dream of playing as a muscle-bound berserker or a cheeky siren who turns invisible (yeah, we all know that one friend who uses that in games). You’ll go on quests that range from the utterly ridiculous to the barely coherent, all while shooting countless bandits, creatures, and mutants who probably should have seen better days. The gameplay revolves around missions, collecting XP, leveling up, and oh, did I mention the loot? There’s a ridiculous number of weapons and items that are generated with a unique procedural creation system—basically, there are more guns here than you’d find at a gun convention. Want a shotgun that shoots exploding bees? Yep, that’s in here. Combat includes traditional FPS fare: shooting, duck and cover, and an almost unparalleled ability to die hilariously. Players have the freedom to play cooperatively with up to three friends, making chaos—and probably more death—abundantly fun. This co-op mode is perfectly tuned for mayhem, especially when you all decide to rob a bank… or not, because you’re probably way too busy blasting through enemies.
Visually, Borderlands adopts a quirky, cel-shaded art style that feels both refreshing and oddly nostalgic, like a comic book bursting to life on your screen. The explosion of color contrasts starkly with the desolate landscapes of Pandora, making even the most nightmarish locales oddly pleasing to look at. This helps when you’re trying to take in the gibberish and nonsense surrounding the plot; at least your eyes are entertained while your brain tries to make sense of it all. The remaster brings things to a glorious 4K resolution, ensuring even more pop to all that loot just waiting to be harvested.
In conclusion, Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition on PS4 is a veritable buffet of chaos that appeals to both the loot-hungry gamers and those who believe excessive humor is an art form. The characters may not have the deepest backstories, but their quirky personas and powers make for an enjoyable romp through the wastelands of Pandora. If you’re seeking a silly, loot-driven shooter that you can dive into solo or with friends (shouting 'get rekt' or 'I got this, bro!' at the top of your lungs), then grab your controller and take a seat. Just be prepared for your friends to constantly swipe the loot right from under your nose!
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