(I haven't played the previous one or any DLCs.)
Even though it was released more than a decade ago, Borderlands 2 remains one of the most popular looter-shooter. Combining the fountains of loot from the Diablo series with FPS mechanics and a semi-open world creates a mostly unique experience. In addition, since it’s a single-player game, it also has a storyline that features one of the more popular villains in gaming – Handsome Jack.
Yet for all the praise it receives, I can’t say it’s anything more than mediocre. There is nothing that’s done exceptionally well and while I did find it funny, it will be hit or miss for many people. I simply can’t see what is so fun about the gameplay, it's not bad per se, it’s just the standard. You walk around and shoot guys, robots, or bugs.
It’s not the game I would think of when someone asks me for an FPS recommendation, it’s quite far down that list, but if anyone were to say they were going to play this game, I wouldn’t discourage them. I guess this genre hasn’t seen many great additions compared to Borderlands 2. There is Borderlands 3, but that has received a whole host of criticism, there is also Destiny 2, but that’s multiplayer with its own problems. So, at the end of the day looter shooter wise there isn’t anything better.
𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲
There is a vault somewhere with great treasure inside, and you want it. Unfortunately, a person who controls most of the planet and is incredibly rich also wants it. Most of the game is trying to find the vault, while Handsome Jack tries to kill you and also find the vault.
I have to give it credit, Borderlands 2 is one of the most intentionally funny games I've played. Most of it is due to Handsome Jack. He, for some reason, has your phone number and constantly calls you to tell you how weak and pathetic you are. As I said, the comedy is not for everyone, even I found a fair share of the jokes unamusing. The humour is quite vulgar, sometimes relying on shock value, like a character being named Fluffybutt.
𝐌𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲
The main selling point of Borderlands 2 is the billion-plus weapons you can get. You will never pick up the same gun twice. On paper, this is an amazing design choice that will allow the player to experience all kinds of armaments throughout their playthrough. During gameplay, it’s a different story. As you progress, you will face enemies that are of a higher level and thus tougher. It is expected that your player character and your weapons will level up with them. Imagine getting a legendary rarity rocket launcher that you acquired after much effort. Unfortunately, after a few areas, its damage will be on the same level as any other common rarity firearm and soon totally obsolete. You aren’t given the chance to get attached to any one gun before having to replace it.
The core FPS gameplay is mediocre. There are special abilities that sometimes mix things up, but it all comes down to just walking around shooting bad guys. That wouldn’t be an issue, after all, most of the FPS genre is just that, but the game is not short. At the end of my playthrough, I was more than ready to put this game down.
𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐬/𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞
Even though it was released all the way back in 2012 it has hardly aged graphically. This can be mainly attributed to the comic-book-like artstyle Borderlands employs. It also helps the game stand out. If you show me a screenshot of any gameplay, I can tell right away that it's from here.
On a more personal note, I actually dislike this artstyle, and I am not entirely sure why. Perhaps it’s the overly saturated colour pallet or the Junker/Mad Max aesthetic that I find unappealing.
𝐀𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞/𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
The atmosphere of Borderlands 2 is very comedic. The non-stop jokes and quips make for quite an unserious gameplay experience. This only becomes a problem once the game starts taking itself seriously and expects the player to be in the same mood, which for me was not the case.
𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤
Genuinely cannot remember a single track from the OST, and I can’t be bothered to listen to it again. As such, I can’t say whether it’s good or bad.
I don’t have a favourite part.
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
Handsome Jack isn’t even that handsome.
Even though it was released more than a decade ago, Borderlands 2 remains one of the most popular looter-shooter. Combining the fountains of loot from the Diablo series with FPS mechanics and a semi-open world creates a mostly unique experience. In addition, since it’s a single-player game, it also has a storyline that features one of the more popular villains in gaming – Handsome Jack.
Yet for all the praise it receives, I can’t say it’s anything more than mediocre. There is nothing that’s done exceptionally well and while I did find it funny, it will be hit or miss for many people. I simply can’t see what is so fun about the gameplay, it's not bad per se, it’s just the standard. You walk around and shoot guys, robots, or bugs.
It’s not the game I would think of when someone asks me for an FPS recommendation, it’s quite far down that list, but if anyone were to say they were going to play this game, I wouldn’t discourage them. I guess this genre hasn’t seen many great additions compared to Borderlands 2. There is Borderlands 3, but that has received a whole host of criticism, there is also Destiny 2, but that’s multiplayer with its own problems. So, at the end of the day looter shooter wise there isn’t anything better.
𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲
There is a vault somewhere with great treasure inside, and you want it. Unfortunately, a person who controls most of the planet and is incredibly rich also wants it. Most of the game is trying to find the vault, while Handsome Jack tries to kill you and also find the vault.
I have to give it credit, Borderlands 2 is one of the most intentionally funny games I've played. Most of it is due to Handsome Jack. He, for some reason, has your phone number and constantly calls you to tell you how weak and pathetic you are. As I said, the comedy is not for everyone, even I found a fair share of the jokes unamusing. The humour is quite vulgar, sometimes relying on shock value, like a character being named Fluffybutt.
𝐌𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲
The main selling point of Borderlands 2 is the billion-plus weapons you can get. You will never pick up the same gun twice. On paper, this is an amazing design choice that will allow the player to experience all kinds of armaments throughout their playthrough. During gameplay, it’s a different story. As you progress, you will face enemies that are of a higher level and thus tougher. It is expected that your player character and your weapons will level up with them. Imagine getting a legendary rarity rocket launcher that you acquired after much effort. Unfortunately, after a few areas, its damage will be on the same level as any other common rarity firearm and soon totally obsolete. You aren’t given the chance to get attached to any one gun before having to replace it.
The core FPS gameplay is mediocre. There are special abilities that sometimes mix things up, but it all comes down to just walking around shooting bad guys. That wouldn’t be an issue, after all, most of the FPS genre is just that, but the game is not short. At the end of my playthrough, I was more than ready to put this game down.
𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐬/𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞
Even though it was released all the way back in 2012 it has hardly aged graphically. This can be mainly attributed to the comic-book-like artstyle Borderlands employs. It also helps the game stand out. If you show me a screenshot of any gameplay, I can tell right away that it's from here.
On a more personal note, I actually dislike this artstyle, and I am not entirely sure why. Perhaps it’s the overly saturated colour pallet or the Junker/Mad Max aesthetic that I find unappealing.
𝐀𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞/𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
The atmosphere of Borderlands 2 is very comedic. The non-stop jokes and quips make for quite an unserious gameplay experience. This only becomes a problem once the game starts taking itself seriously and expects the player to be in the same mood, which for me was not the case.
𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤
Genuinely cannot remember a single track from the OST, and I can’t be bothered to listen to it again. As such, I can’t say whether it’s good or bad.
I don’t have a favourite part.
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
Handsome Jack isn’t even that handsome.