The Hawkeye

Issue date: 11/11/09 Section: Freestyle

Borderlands is the newest game from Gearbox software creators of the Brothers In Arms series of games. The first notable thing about Borderlands is that it is nothing like anything Gearbox has ever done. Borderlands is a massive FPS/RPG hybrid with an apocalyptic setting. That may sound like the box description for Fallout 3, but rest assured that Borderlands is more than a Fallout rip-off. It is unique in that there isn't a whole lot like it on the market today.

The story of Borderlands is pretty simple. You are one of four mercenaries who come to the planet Pandora in search of a mystical treasure called "The Vault." The Vault contains extremely valuable technology, so your overall goal is to find this legend that has no real proof of existence. From that point, the story trails off in that most of your missions boil down to keeping the bandit and creature population in check. You are reminded constantly of your overall goal by a person you don't know but claims to be on your side. Most of the dialogue comes through in form of "before and after" mission text. The story isn't as involved as it could be in a game of this caliber, but it doesn't really matter as the primary attraction to Borderlands is the gameplay.

The gameplay of Borderlands is a mix between Bioshock and Diablo. As a shooter you run around with guns in the first person perspective and kill lots of enemies. It is a role playing game because while you're shooting these enemies, numbers are flying around everywhere signifying that they are losing HP. You gain experience with each kill and mission completion. Everything has HP, weapons have statistics. You level up and apply skill points to your chosen ability path. Also, you can modify your character in several different areas with gear, and the list goes on with dozens of famous and well used RPG elements applied well in Borderlands.

The best part of the game is how well all these elements blend together to form what is easily one of the most fun and addicting games in years. It is part Diablo because Gearbox came up with an extremely intricate loot system that randomizes everything you find. There are levels of rarity, and you find better stuff as you progress. The fun lies in the fact that you never know what you're going to get.

Gearbox fed several thousand stat possibilities into a computer, and the game coughs up randomized guns that all look different and do different things. They have claimed that the gun possibilities are in the millions so knowing that you might find a gun that nobody else has EVER found is exhilarating. It is a combination that makes Borderlands addicting, fun and deep simultaneously.

The presentation of Borderlands is something that isn't easily unnoticed either. The game is completely cell-shaded with a dirty and gritty style that screams Mad Max. It is wonderful to look at except for some minor texture popping issues. The sound is also well done with voices that are convincing for the characters they represent. The presentation is really just something that sells the game even more.

Borderlands is a game that every shooter and RPG fan should play. It isn't completely original, but it is a unique combination of ideas that are pulled off in a manner that creates what is really an unforgettable game. Everyone who is a fan of the aforementioned things should at least play the game if not own it. Its length lasts however long you make it with its countless possibilities and replay value. Borderlands makes it mark as being worth way more than what you pay for it.

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