modeps
10-19-2009, 09:09 AM
http://evavhost.com/i/news/borderlands-banner.jpg
Giant Bomb (http://www.giantbomb.com/borderlands/61-20487/reviews/)'s review is up giving the long awaited Borderlands a 4 out of 5.
The structure of Borderlands makes it feel like an MMO game that doesn't require you to rely on groups of other players to enjoy. Though it's probably better when you're playing online with friends, playing alone is still perfectly fine. It's also one of those games that's so strong in parts that its shortcomings become almost glaring by comparison. As such, the game's barebones story, lackluster AI, and insufficient player trading options are real disappointments that prevent the game from reaching its full potential. But when you're frantically trying to stay alive while getting swarmed by an angry horde of gigantic spiderants, chances are you won't care much about that other stuff. Borderlands strongly succeeds where plenty of other Diablo-inspired games have failed miserably.
Kotaku (http://kotaku.com/5384689/borderlands-review-guns-guns-guns) has their score-less review up as well with more points in the positive column than the negative:
Quickly Addicting: Borderlands' reward system, granting you big bonuses in cash and experience for completing quests, kept me coming back for more, even when I had planned to take a break. Just one more quest, I'd say, in search of new loot, new levels and new areas to explore. This quick addiction to the game's frequent pay-offs was made more intense during co-op, when the rewards come much more frequently thanks to cash and experience sharing. (Warning: while the money and XP are shared, the rest of the loot is first come first served. That, and the lack of a secure player-to-player item trading option, means you should play with trusted friends.)
1Up (http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3176535) has given it a B+.
Call it a first-person Diablo, an evolution of Resistance 2's co-op mode, Monster Hunter for the west, or a party game for FPS gamers. Call it the best example of the transformative power of multiplayer. Whatever you designate it, Borderlands is a decent single-player FPS/RPG that simply becomes great -- when playing with others. Besides, sheer midget panic is something that has to be shared with friends.
IGN (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/103/1035922p1.html) has granted it an 8.8 out of 10.
Gearbox's Borderlands is without a doubt a slick, satisfying hybrid title for those who know what to expect. If you're a shooter fan curious what the world of Pandora is all about, then you should know that this is a product built on a foundation of statistical progression, character customization, and one that holds item acquisition high above interesting quest structure and narrative. At the same time, it plays like a shooter, requiring twitch skills to dominate the droves of enemies that stand in between you and your search for a mysterious vault. With the opportunity for up to four to join together for co-operative play, four character classes, a dizzying array of firearms, around 20 or so hours of content for a single playthrough and the option to restart with stronger enemies and loot, there's plenty of content here. It's a thoroughly enjoyable journey that offers a steady stream of rewards that remains convenient and accessible. It's something action role-playing game fans looking for an experience more up-close and brutal than genre entries of the third-person variety should have a blast with, and one of the more memorable products of 2009.
I guess that means I'll be kicking it on the PC... and splitting time with L4D2.
Update: Another round of online reviews has gone live.
GamesRadar (http://www.gamesradar.com/ps3/borderlands/review/borderlands/a-2009101911441688897706/g-2007081514506141046) - 8/10
Borderlands is a very entertaining shooter and a rather bland RPG. It rewards dedication with new guns and new things to shoot at, which is all kinds of fun for players who enjoy MMO-style progression. But if its charm and depth hadn’t been abandoned so quickly, it may have been absolutely brilliant.
AtomicGamer (http://www.atomicgamer.com/article.php?id=899) - 92%
It's easy to create a wishlist of features Gearbox probably could have added given enough time, but when I get in game, I forget about all that and instead find myself hunting down the next epic gun, taking out multiple enemies with headshots, and enjoying the pop culture and video game references (everything from Diablo and Halo to Quentin Tarantino and Judd Apatow movies are in there). I found Borderlands to be pretty unique in that I was able to forget I was a critic and just enjoy its immensely fun shooter action. I think you'll agree that when you've got guns blazing from four players at once and loot is flying everywhere, Borderlands easily makes up for any perceived shortcomings.
GamePro (http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/212640/borderlands/) - 4.5/5
There's no doubt that Borderlands has its faults but everything that exists around those sticky spots is incredible. The fun I had with the rock-solid gunplay and extensive role-playing elements was considerably amplified by each additional player. Borderlands is an absolute blast that I'll go back to again and again, even if my friends aren't around to help out. Considering how great of a time I had in Pandora, though, I expect they'll be around for a while too.
TeamXbox (http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1787/Borderlands/p1/) - 9.0/10
No, Borderlands isn’t perfect, but it’s one of those games that transcends most of its faults. I’m also glad it got a face lift well enough ahead of the game’s release, so it didn’t just blend into the background. Borderlands is one of the year’s most enjoyable games, and I highly recommend it—even to those who may not like shooters or RPGs, because there’s a lot to like from this interesting hybrid.
Giant Bomb (http://www.giantbomb.com/borderlands/61-20487/reviews/)'s review is up giving the long awaited Borderlands a 4 out of 5.
The structure of Borderlands makes it feel like an MMO game that doesn't require you to rely on groups of other players to enjoy. Though it's probably better when you're playing online with friends, playing alone is still perfectly fine. It's also one of those games that's so strong in parts that its shortcomings become almost glaring by comparison. As such, the game's barebones story, lackluster AI, and insufficient player trading options are real disappointments that prevent the game from reaching its full potential. But when you're frantically trying to stay alive while getting swarmed by an angry horde of gigantic spiderants, chances are you won't care much about that other stuff. Borderlands strongly succeeds where plenty of other Diablo-inspired games have failed miserably.
Kotaku (http://kotaku.com/5384689/borderlands-review-guns-guns-guns) has their score-less review up as well with more points in the positive column than the negative:
Quickly Addicting: Borderlands' reward system, granting you big bonuses in cash and experience for completing quests, kept me coming back for more, even when I had planned to take a break. Just one more quest, I'd say, in search of new loot, new levels and new areas to explore. This quick addiction to the game's frequent pay-offs was made more intense during co-op, when the rewards come much more frequently thanks to cash and experience sharing. (Warning: while the money and XP are shared, the rest of the loot is first come first served. That, and the lack of a secure player-to-player item trading option, means you should play with trusted friends.)
1Up (http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3176535) has given it a B+.
Call it a first-person Diablo, an evolution of Resistance 2's co-op mode, Monster Hunter for the west, or a party game for FPS gamers. Call it the best example of the transformative power of multiplayer. Whatever you designate it, Borderlands is a decent single-player FPS/RPG that simply becomes great -- when playing with others. Besides, sheer midget panic is something that has to be shared with friends.
IGN (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/103/1035922p1.html) has granted it an 8.8 out of 10.
Gearbox's Borderlands is without a doubt a slick, satisfying hybrid title for those who know what to expect. If you're a shooter fan curious what the world of Pandora is all about, then you should know that this is a product built on a foundation of statistical progression, character customization, and one that holds item acquisition high above interesting quest structure and narrative. At the same time, it plays like a shooter, requiring twitch skills to dominate the droves of enemies that stand in between you and your search for a mysterious vault. With the opportunity for up to four to join together for co-operative play, four character classes, a dizzying array of firearms, around 20 or so hours of content for a single playthrough and the option to restart with stronger enemies and loot, there's plenty of content here. It's a thoroughly enjoyable journey that offers a steady stream of rewards that remains convenient and accessible. It's something action role-playing game fans looking for an experience more up-close and brutal than genre entries of the third-person variety should have a blast with, and one of the more memorable products of 2009.
I guess that means I'll be kicking it on the PC... and splitting time with L4D2.
Update: Another round of online reviews has gone live.
GamesRadar (http://www.gamesradar.com/ps3/borderlands/review/borderlands/a-2009101911441688897706/g-2007081514506141046) - 8/10
Borderlands is a very entertaining shooter and a rather bland RPG. It rewards dedication with new guns and new things to shoot at, which is all kinds of fun for players who enjoy MMO-style progression. But if its charm and depth hadn’t been abandoned so quickly, it may have been absolutely brilliant.
AtomicGamer (http://www.atomicgamer.com/article.php?id=899) - 92%
It's easy to create a wishlist of features Gearbox probably could have added given enough time, but when I get in game, I forget about all that and instead find myself hunting down the next epic gun, taking out multiple enemies with headshots, and enjoying the pop culture and video game references (everything from Diablo and Halo to Quentin Tarantino and Judd Apatow movies are in there). I found Borderlands to be pretty unique in that I was able to forget I was a critic and just enjoy its immensely fun shooter action. I think you'll agree that when you've got guns blazing from four players at once and loot is flying everywhere, Borderlands easily makes up for any perceived shortcomings.
GamePro (http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/212640/borderlands/) - 4.5/5
There's no doubt that Borderlands has its faults but everything that exists around those sticky spots is incredible. The fun I had with the rock-solid gunplay and extensive role-playing elements was considerably amplified by each additional player. Borderlands is an absolute blast that I'll go back to again and again, even if my friends aren't around to help out. Considering how great of a time I had in Pandora, though, I expect they'll be around for a while too.
TeamXbox (http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1787/Borderlands/p1/) - 9.0/10
No, Borderlands isn’t perfect, but it’s one of those games that transcends most of its faults. I’m also glad it got a face lift well enough ahead of the game’s release, so it didn’t just blend into the background. Borderlands is one of the year’s most enjoyable games, and I highly recommend it—even to those who may not like shooters or RPGs, because there’s a lot to like from this interesting hybrid.