I have around one month and a few days left until my fifth semester of college ends. There is only one thing that stands in the way between me and my rightfully deserved A’s : Borderlands. Ok…well maybe that and my poor study habits. Nevertheless, Borderlands is making sure that this last month full of finals, 12 page papers, and study sessions will be filled of thoughts of what quests I’ve just finished and how soon will that lovely new ‘LEVEL UP!’ icon will flash across the screen.

Before I get started I want to get something out of the way, I would not classify this as a review per se. A preview would fit better or a Hey-Look-This-Is-How-Awesome-The-Game-Is! So far, I have only reached level 24 and have only accomplished to open the third area and have completed numerous quests.

Developer: Gearbox Software
Publisher: 2K GAMES
Date of Release: October 20, 2009
Platforms: PS3/360/PC (played on 360)

Genre: RPS/RPG/FPS
Players: 1 (2 splitscreen. 4 Online Co-op)

Plot

Does this game have a Plot? Yes. Is the plot good? Well…I’d have to ask you to define what a ‘good’ plot. Let’s put it this way, if you only buy games for the plot, well…you might as well move on right now.

The plot, from my experience thus far, is just filling to give an excuse for why you are moving from point A to Point B.  There are, however, some great background information on the planet Pandora, which I wish would be expanded on a tad bit more. There are a few specific quests, that I won’t give too much information about, which gives the player some background on this desolate red-neck-filled planet.

Graphics

When the developers first decided to change the direction of the artwork and graphics they claimed that it was not cell-shaded. Many people may disagree and claim that it is indeed still cell-shaded. The developer’s, on the other hand, are specific in that it is “hand-drawn.”

Whatever the case may be, I enjoy the scenery and graphic-style that the game displays.  I do have a few issues however, at least on the 360 version that I’m playing. There seems to be incessant loading screens whenever I start the game or enter a new area. While this may be an exaggeration, they do seem to last forever.

On the bright side, news from Gearbox has come that a patch will be released for the consoles that will address this along with several other issues and Bugs.

Another point of the graphics, that can be considered in the positive light of things, are the many creative models of the NPC opponents, which include bandits and other terrestrial life, along with the many ‘friendly’ NPC quest givers. This also ties in with a negative with the plot, as I would love for the many characters of Borderlands to be expanded upon.

Gameplay

This is where the game shines and the reason behind the game consuming so much of my time. Many have described this game as the bay of the FPS genre and the RPG genre. The developers claim this game is a Role-playing-Shooter. Others have said it’s as if Diablo and DOOM(or any other or FPS) have been collided and stuffed into this tight little package.

While it is an understatement to say, “This game has much loot to gather,” comparing it to Diablo does not feel quite right. I feel it stands on its own two feet as a game that has taken the most addicting (not necessarily the best) of these two genres and created a game that would be best described as the Crack-Cocaine of gaming.

The game has four character classes: Mordecai (The hunter or sniper), Brick (the Tank), Roland (the soldier and the most well-rounded character), and Lilith (The rouge or Spy).  These characters each have their own specialization along with specific talents. This is where the RPG elements come out as each kill or completion of a quest nets you experience points which can be placed into a set of  three different fields under the character, each having seven different skills that boost your character into the ultimate killing machine.

The most addicting part of this game, I’ve found, is the way the game litters tons of guns around the world for you to pick up, which is the reason behind the Diablo comparisons. One part that I really enjoy the most is how, while shooting an array of bullets at an assortment of villains, the damage points rise up from the enemies telling me the amount of damage I am casting down on them. After a few have fallen to the ground the tantalizing LEVEL UP!  icon pops up in it’s lovely yellow font.

Another satisfying part of the game is the Co-Op. Though, I have only experience Co-Op with close friends and have not journeyed to play Online with others. The problem I have with this is having to share the loot with strangers online. I have heard of some people having issues with people grabbing whatever loot they can without the considerations of others. Though, if you have a few good friends on LIVE/PSN or on the PC then I HIGHLY recommend playing the game with friends instead of by yourself.

Conclusion

I still have much time to dedicate to this game before I believe I can have a complete opinion on the game; however, from what I’ve played of Borderlands I believe this game has more than warranted my purchase. The only true fault I can give it is the time it has consumed and how I fear that it may not only interfere with my studies but also with the other games releasing this Holiday season. Especially since there is a second play through that make the game not only harder but incorporates more loot.

But have no fear!….I’ll be sure to get through it eventually..

Pros/Cons

Pros

-Graphics are fantastic and make the landscape of Pandora utterly fascinating

-Gameplay is what makes this game. Addictive. Fun.

-Great combination of FPS elements along with RPG elements

-Great multiplayer

Cons

-While the multiplayer is fun, it could use some tweaking. (trading and loot needs some work).

-Plot could be stronger but really isn’t a complete let down.

-Graphics may be a turn off for some people

The Save Factor

With a starting price of $60 bucks I’d have to say it’s well worth the price.  It has been quite a while since a game that was this hyped met and excelled my expectations! If you wait for a price drop I guarantee it will only increase the already great value that you will get from this game.

Josh T. Games, impressions, PC, ps3, xbox 360