That new Borderlands is kind of weird, but it's good.

On 10/17/2014 at 03:31 PM by asrealasitgets

It's hard for me to discuss this game without giving up some spoilers in case you were planning on waiting for a sale next year and are a fan and want to be surprised. You should avoid this blog altogether.

Be Warned!

Keep in mind that I'm only a couple of hours in, and I'm not sure how long the game is supposed to be. I only played a bit of the first two games but felt like it was really meant for co-op and I found the game tedious as a single player game. So I'm not tired of the franchise as most people are because I haven't played enough to get tired of it.

This game takes place on the moon. A moon? Some moon? So there is little gravity in the environment and it is apart of the gameplay. There is also little oxygen so you have to run from pocket of air to pocket of air (like those air bubbles in those water levels in Sonic the Hedgehog games). The jumps are also very floaty. I haven't played Borderlands in a while but I don't remember if there are floaty space jumps or oxygen limitations in previous games. Even when you get and oxygen tank, it depletes when you explore the landscape or when you double jump and hover for a while.

In short, I'm liking the game so far. It's early on, but unlike the previous games, this has more of a sci-fi space element like Halo or Metroid than the Western type theme of previous games. I think part of is that because you are on the moon, there is not atmosphere and the sky is dark and the environment has a weird neon glow to it. It feels more like Tron or Metroid. The soundtrack is really awesome. It has more of an electronic Techno feel and it fits the game perfectly. I think that's part of the reason that I'm enjoying it. This is a stylistically different take on the game and it kind of stands out.

I was going to do a replay of Metroid Prime: Echoes, the second Gamecube game. It reminded me alot of this Borderlands, because it too has this running to safe zone oxygen mechanics and floaty space jumps plus it's also very dark. There are also boss fights and weird alien creatures plus it's a FPS, although Metroid has more of an exploration thing going for it.

(METROID ECHOES Gamecube)
I've seen alot of gamers down on this new Borderlands, but honestly it's my favorite one. I just like the environment and sci-fi theme. I swear, some of the enemy commandos look like Master Chief. Not sure if it's trolling halo or something. I tend to give up when these games get frustrating or tedious, but so far I'm enjoying it. This opinion might change though.

Thoughts? Anyone else playing this?

My gaming habit:
Pokemon Trading Card Game ipad
Terra Battle ipad
Star Wars Commander ipad
Borderlands PreSequel pc
Shadowrun Returns Dragonfall pc

KnightDriver

10/17/2014 at 03:54 PM

I'll be getting in deep with Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel starting Sunday.

asrealasitgets

10/17/2014 at 05:50 PM

Great! Then I can read your impressions.

Super Step Contributing Writer

10/17/2014 at 04:25 PM

I wish I had finished Echoes. Only ever rented it.

I think it's the hardest of the 3 games. Can get tedious.

10/17/2014 at 08:09 PM

Yup. I got fairly far I believe, at least had a couple encounters with "Dark Samus," but got tired of the dark world and having to create safe points so often when I wanted a moment to breathe and think about my next step.

V4Viewtiful

10/17/2014 at 07:25 PM

get on it man!

I will if I see it for a good enough price.

Matt Snee Staff Writer

10/17/2014 at 06:39 PM

I just can't get into these.

How is Dragonfall? I never finished the original game, but I want to. I played it before the patch that let you save anywhere....

10/17/2014 at 07:47 PM

Not sure yet. It's very similar to Shadowrun. I can't see that much of a difference. It's like the Matrix, or the Matrix took it's infulence from this game. I like the look, the sound, and atmosphere of the game. It is very text heavy but that's ok.

GeminiMan78

10/17/2014 at 09:04 PM

I am loving the heck out of this game. But I'm also a huge Borderlands nut so I might be a bit biased. There have been a few people who do not like the new gravity and oxygen mechanics, but I think it gives the game a unique twist so it does not just feel like Borderlands 2.5. I do feel this one Is a little easier. leveling up pretty quick and I already got a legendary grenage mod. I never got legendaries the first run in the other games. Drop rate is much better. I also think its cool that you get to see the imediate events leading up to BL2 from the side of Hansom Jack. And the new beam & laser weapons are a blast to play with. And the sound track really is awesome. Gonna be looking for it on Amazon for sure.

10/17/2014 at 11:27 PM

Yeah! I agree with your comments. I also left out that my character (dude with shotgun) can summon drones for a bit which makes soloing less frustrating. I've only done a few quest missions on the moon and have bunch of guns already. It feels a bit lonely though, but that's okay. I'm not planning on doing multiplayer. I'm liking this game a lot. Soundtrack is really great! I'm not an expert on the game either by the way.

Is it a good idea to grind a bit before moving the story forward or should I just muscle through the main story?

10/18/2014 at 11:55 AM

In the older games playing a mission that was a level or two above you was super hard. I have played through a couple of missions that were a level or two above me in this game and got through without too much stress. But it never hurts to knock out a few sub-quests for the exp and gear, espeacially those that give you blue grade weapons and such. I prefer to play solo too, at least the first time through. Once i have beat it and start hunting for legendarys its fun to have some help.

10/18/2014 at 02:48 PM

Thanks. So far I'm doing alright soloing.

goaztecs

10/21/2014 at 01:08 PM

Sorry man I had to avoid your blog because I want to get this, but I'm hoping it comes out on the Vita so I can play it without getting dizzy. I should just force myself and get used to Borderlands 2 on the consoles just so I can jump in and enjoy this game.

PixlBit

That new Borderlands is kind of weird, but it's good.

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