Review: Borderlands

[Doug]

Personally, I disagree with the sentiment that the single-player is tedious and dull. I've been playing single-player just as much as multi-player, and I find both to have a roughly equal balance of pros and cons. Granted, I'm the sort of loner who tends to solo in MMORPGs, so I'll agree that most people will probably prefer having some friends around, but going it alone still isn't that boring. And I've actually found that single-player gets a better loot turnout: individual pieces of loot may have a higher chance of being better in multi-player, but it feels like it isn't scaling up enough (i.e: the value of loot dropped with 4 players is less than 4x the value of loot dropped with 1 player).

Either way, still an awesome game.

It's not tedious and dull so much as it is extremely unwelcoming, I found. I had a hell of a time getting into the game when I played it at first, going solo - the world felt very lonely, and clearing respawns when I trekked into Skag Gulch over and over was pretty repetitious. Playing it co-op makes it a much more welcoming experience.

I have to ask Funk, if you start a game amd have, say, 3 random people from the internet in your game, and one drops out, is there a replacement system like in Left 4 Dead?

Also, if I start a 'campaign' with these people, do I have to continue with those people only, or can others join in?

 

[Chipperz]

I'm curious, how does ammo work in this game? With there being millions of guns and all.

They all use the same type of ammo, that is combat rifle will use combat rifle ammo, doesn't matter if it's shooting lightning or explosive rounds. Now now, when will there be melee weapons in this game, swords, lots of swords!

There are guns with bayonets (or that are just really, really solid) that give you bonuses in melee? I haven't tried using them 'cos I'm not playing Brick yet, but I'd GUESS they'd function kinda like swords?

Also, I've managed to solo all the way to level 44 with the Soldier. You don't feel welcome, but you can shoot the crap outta everything that makes you feel that way!

*snip*

It's not tedious and dull so much as it is extremely unwelcoming, I found. I had a hell of a time getting into the game when I played it at first, going solo - the world felt very lonely, and clearing respawns when I trekked into Skag Gulch over and over was pretty repetitious. Playing it co-op makes it a much more welcoming experience.

Ahh, the Bladeflower Seed quest? That almost had my hurling my controller through the TV. I found it easier and more rewarding after that, and on the second playthrough it went without a hitch.

 

[MadeinHell]

I want to know HOW you managed to get split screen take top and bottom parts of the screen! For all I have seen now Borderlands has a pretty weird system that takes left and right side.

 

[Doug]

I'm curious, how does ammo work in this game? With there being millions of guns and all.

They all use the same type of ammo, that is combat rifle will use combat rifle ammo, doesn't matter if it's shooting lightning or explosive rounds. Now now, when will there be melee weapons in this game, swords, lots of swords!

There are guns with bayonets (or that are just really, really solid) that give you bonuses in melee? I haven't tried using them 'cos I'm not playing Brick yet, but I'd GUESS they'd function kinda like swords?

How about a gun that SHOOTS BAYONETS!

 

[Doug]

Is it hard to find a game, considering you all have to be at roughly the same place in the storyline?

EDIT: This thread is probably a good place to put your Gamespy ID/PSN tag/Gamertag, for people who want a group to play with.

Gamespy: "(d/dx)Nimbus", sans quotation marks.

EDIT: apparently there are steam groups for this.

Well, ok, there are steam groups, but what if you aren't a member, and/or can't find these groups?

 

[Doug]

Sadly I have literally no gaming friends at all, and as you predicted in this spot-on review, I couldn't get into it all on my own. It looks great, and the guns and gunplay are awesome, but being all alone in a huge open-world wasteland just doesn't work for me. A pity, really, I was looking forward to Borderlands.

Wait, there's no match-making service!? Crap, cus I've no gaming friends either, and I'll be playing over steam when its out tomorrow.

 

[Chipperz]

I'm curious, how does ammo work in this game? With there being millions of guns and all.

They all use the same type of ammo, that is combat rifle will use combat rifle ammo, doesn't matter if it's shooting lightning or explosive rounds. Now now, when will there be melee weapons in this game, swords, lots of swords!

There are guns with bayonets (or that are just really, really solid) that give you bonuses in melee? I haven't tried using them 'cos I'm not playing Brick yet, but I'd GUESS they'd function kinda like swords?

How about a gun that SHOOTS BAYONETS!

Haven't found bayonets, but I have got a rocket launcher that fires a bolas. A Bolas with incendiary grenades instead of weights.

Gaaaaaaaah I love this game!

 

[Slycne]

I want to know HOW you managed to get split screen take top and bottom parts of the screen! For all I have seen now Borderlands has a pretty weird system that takes left and right side.

The game changes the screen splitting when you play in SD, which we need to use to capture the video. So it's probably not worth it unless you really dislike the side-by-side.

Also, if I start a 'campaign' with these people, do I have to continue with those people only, or can others join in?

No, but you will not be able to complete certain missions if join a host that's further along in the story then you are. You are otherwise free to drop in and out of or bring other people into your game.

 

[Abedeus]

Personally, I disagree with the sentiment that the single-player is tedious and dull. I've been playing single-player just as much as multi-player, and I find both to have a roughly equal balance of pros and cons. Granted, I'm the sort of loner who tends to solo in MMORPGs, so I'll agree that most people will probably prefer having some friends around, but going it alone still isn't that boring. And I've actually found that single-player gets a better loot turnout: individual pieces of loot may have a higher chance of being better in multi-player, but it feels like it isn't scaling up enough (i.e: the value of loot dropped with 4 players is less than 4x the value of loot dropped with 1 player).

Either way, still an awesome game.

It's not tedious and dull so much as it is extremely unwelcoming, I found. I had a hell of a time getting into the game when I played it at first, going solo - the world felt very lonely, and clearing respawns when I trekked into Skag Gulch over and over was pretty repetitious. Playing it co-op makes it a much more welcoming experience.

I have to ask Funk, if you start a game amd have, say, 3 random people from the internet in your game, and one drops out, is there a replacement system like in Left 4 Dead?

No, why would there be one? New-spawned monsters will be adjusted to 3 people, unless someone new joins you before that happens, then nothing changes.

 

[Doug]

Personally, I disagree with the sentiment that the single-player is tedious and dull. I've been playing single-player just as much as multi-player, and I find both to have a roughly equal balance of pros and cons. Granted, I'm the sort of loner who tends to solo in MMORPGs, so I'll agree that most people will probably prefer having some friends around, but going it alone still isn't that boring. And I've actually found that single-player gets a better loot turnout: individual pieces of loot may have a higher chance of being better in multi-player, but it feels like it isn't scaling up enough (i.e: the value of loot dropped with 4 players is less than 4x the value of loot dropped with 1 player).

Either way, still an awesome game.

It's not tedious and dull so much as it is extremely unwelcoming, I found. I had a hell of a time getting into the game when I played it at first, going solo - the world felt very lonely, and clearing respawns when I trekked into Skag Gulch over and over was pretty repetitious. Playing it co-op makes it a much more welcoming experience.

I have to ask Funk, if you start a game amd have, say, 3 random people from the internet in your game, and one drops out, is there a replacement system like in Left 4 Dead?

No, why would there be one? New-spawned monsters will be adjusted to 3 people, unless someone new joins you before that happens, then nothing changes.

Because people lose connections or have power cuts, or have to suddenly goto an emergency, and so I thought that the system would allow for the numbers to be maintained. But now you say that, fair enough, fair enough.

 

[Abedeus]

Also, if I start a 'campaign' with these people, do I have to continue with those people only, or can others join in?

No, but you will not be able to complete certain missions if join a host that's further along in the story then you are. You are otherwise free to drop in and out of or bring other people into your game.

So... if you join a game thats really far in advance of where you were, you can't go back and return to where you were? Sorry, I'm abit confused as to how this works.

Ever played Diablo 2? If you joined a game hosted by someone who is in Act 4, while you are still in Act 1, you won't be able to complete your quests, because the other guy already finished them.

But if you create a game (or go Single-player in Borderlands) and THEN the other person joins, you will be able to finish the quest.

 

[Slycne]

Also, if I start a 'campaign' with these people, do I have to continue with those people only, or can others join in?

No, but you will not be able to complete certain missions if join a host that's further along in the story then you are. You are otherwise free to drop in and out of or bring other people into your game.

So... if you join a game thats really far in advance of where you were, you can't go back and return to where you were? Sorry, I'm abit confused as to how this works.

You could go back, but certain boss or npcs might no longer be there so you wouldn't be able to complete certain missions unless you were playing by yourself or with someone who was still in the same area.

 

[Cpu46]

-snip-

Haven't found bayonets, but I have got a rocket launcher that fires a bolas. A Bolas with incendiary grenades instead of weights.

Gaaaaaaaah I love this game!

I found a shotgun that shoots rockets, don't know why it does that but im not about to complain.

 

[Distorted Stu]

Brilliant game! At its peak when you get 4 guys plaing at once, then it becomes a real tatical bullet blazing gunfight. Its also useful to trade eachother weapons, goods and health.

Oh i forgot to mention the humour, the game has a humor style similar to that of timesplitters.

9-Toes!! (Also has 3 balls) lmao

 

[iamthehorde]

just finished my first playthrough with a friend and i must say this game is awesome. i also don´t agree that single player is boring. i couldn´t get my hands off this game for the past 6 days and it didn´t matter if i was playing it alone or not. i´m a filthy loot whore. if you want bang for buck you should get this game.

 

[RollForInitiative]

has a larger clip

MA.GA.ZINE! Funk, I will shiv you the next opportunity I get for that.

 

[Mariena]

While I really like all the guns, the claptraps, the graphics and one-liners, I just can't figure out how this game has any replayability whatsoever.

The MMO-style quests (in contrast to the few but awesome Diablo 2 style quests) will always make you fetch that roasted meat or turn on those generators. The quests are just terribly boring. I can't imagine how anyone would want to do those tedious quests again, after you've beaten the game.

The areas aren't randomized, there are only about ... 8 types of enemies compared to the 8 types of enemies per area (basically) in Diablo 2.

I can't help myself but compare this game to Diablo 2, as I wish it had just copied more from it. More randomization throughout the environments, less of these horrible fetch and "kill 10 of these" quests and more exploring on your own.

Also, the game is too easy.

Other than that though, I'm enjoying it and I can't wait to pick up a badassier gun to replace my other already badass guns.

 

[BarefootGamer]

I just got this game the other day and so far I'm really liking the graphics and the sense of humor! And it's definitely more fun with people! But the game has some really nasty bugs too and hopefully Gearbox will fix them soon so we can all enjoy the game without fear of losing our stuff... http://www.hookedgamers.com/blogs/stefanie/2009/10/27/borderlands_has_issues.html

 

[Doug]

So... is it worth playing through once in single player? Or should I just jump into multiplayer?

 

[The Kangaroo]

Is it hard to find a game, considering you all have to be at roughly the same place in the storyline?

EDIT: This thread is probably a good place to put your Gamespy ID/PSN tag/Gamertag, for people who want a group to play with.

Gamespy: "(d/dx)Nimbus", sans quotation marks.

EDIT: apparently there are steam groups for this.

Well, ok, there are steam groups, but what if you aren't a member, and/or can't find these groups?

Well the Escapist Group is here and that has links to the Steam group