Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel Review

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, released in 2014, occupies a unique space within the Borderlands franchise. It serves as a bridge between the events of Borderlands 2 and the original game, offering a fresh perspective on the established lore. The low-gravity moon setting introduces unique gameplay mechanics, while retaining the core elements that defined the series’ success. This review will delve into the game’s strengths and weaknesses, exploring its impact on the overall Borderlands narrative and its lasting legacy.

Gameplay Mechanics: A Lunar Leap

The most immediate difference in The Pre-Sequel is the low-gravity environment of Elpis, Pandora’s moon. This alteration significantly impacts movement, combat, and exploration. Jumping becomes a crucial element, allowing for unexpected flanking maneuvers and vertical traversal opportunities. Enemies, too, adapt to the low gravity, often utilizing it to their advantage. The oxygen system adds another layer of strategic depth. Players must manage their oxygen levels, forcing careful consideration of combat positioning and exploration strategies. This mechanic introduces a refreshing element of resource management, preventing reckless charging into battles.

The addition of new weapons and abilities also enhances the core gameplay loop. The cryo-elemental effects, particularly powerful in the low-gravity environment, offer unique tactical options. The inclusion of new character classes, each with their own distinct playstyles and skill trees, provides ample replayability. Augmenting the core shooting mechanics with these new features ensures that the gameplay remains engaging and fresh throughout the experience.

Weapon Variety and Customization

Borderlands has always been praised for its vast array of weapons, and The Pre-Sequel continues this tradition. The sheer variety of weapons, each with its own unique stats and quirks, ensures that players are always on the lookout for that perfect firearm. The addition of new weapon types, such as the laser weapons and the cryo-infused armaments, further expands the arsenal. The weapon customization system, allowing players to modify their weapons with various attachments and enhancements, adds another layer of depth to the experience. This intricate system empowers players to tailor their weapons to their preferred playstyle.

Story and Characters: A Prequel’s Purpose

The Pre-Sequel bridges the gap between Borderlands 2 and the original game, delving into the backstory of Handsome Jack’s rise to power. This narrative perspective offers a fascinating insight into the motivations and machinations of one of the series’ most iconic antagonists. While the core narrative focuses on Jack’s ascent, the game also introduces a diverse cast of new characters, each with their own unique personalities and storylines. The character development is well-executed, providing depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.

The story unfolds in a series of missions and side quests, each offering its own unique challenges and rewards. The writing is sharp and witty, keeping the tone consistent with the established Borderlands formula. The humor is dark and satirical, often poking fun at video game tropes and societal norms. While the main story provides a compelling narrative arc, the side quests offer a wealth of additional content, expanding on the lore and providing further opportunities for exploration and character development.

Character Development and Relationships

The Pre-Sequel excels in developing its cast of characters. Each character, from the playable vault hunters to the supporting cast, possesses a distinct personality and backstory. The relationships between characters are realistically portrayed, with complex dynamics and evolving relationships driving the narrative. These well-developed characters add depth and emotional weight to the story, making it more than just a simple action-adventure game. The dialogue is witty and engaging, capturing the essence of the Borderlands universe.

Graphics and Sound: A Stylized World

The Pre-Sequel maintains the distinct art style of the Borderlands series, with its cell-shaded graphics and vibrant colors. The lunar setting provides a unique visual backdrop, offering diverse environments to explore. The low-gravity effects are visually impressive, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal. The sound design is equally impressive, with a fitting soundtrack that matches the game’s tone and atmosphere.

The voice acting is top-notch, with talented actors bringing the characters to life. The dialogue is sharp and witty, further enhancing the game’s overall appeal. The sound effects are well-implemented, adding to the immersive quality of the gameplay experience. The combination of high-quality visuals and audio creates a satisfying and memorable gaming experience.

Multiplayer and Replayability: Collaborative Chaos

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel supports co-op multiplayer, allowing players to team up and tackle challenges together. This cooperative aspect adds another layer to the gameplay, allowing for diverse strategic approaches and shared experiences. The game’s replayability is high, with multiple character classes, diverse weapon types, and a wealth of side quests to keep players engaged for hours on end. The difficulty scaling ensures that the game remains challenging and rewarding even on subsequent playthroughs.

The ability to customize characters and weapons significantly enhances replayability. Players can experiment with different build combinations and strategic approaches, leading to unique and rewarding gameplay experiences. The addition of new game modes and challenge levels further extends the lifespan of the game, offering additional objectives and rewards. The vibrant and engaging world coupled with diverse gameplay possibilities guarantees ample replay value.

Overall Assessment: A Worthy Addition

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is a worthy addition to the Borderlands franchise. It successfully incorporates new gameplay mechanics while staying true to the core elements that defined the series. The low-gravity environment adds a fresh perspective to the established gameplay loop, while the story provides a compelling prequel narrative that expands on the lore and characters. The game’s vibrant world, diverse characters, and highly replayable nature make it a must-have for fans of the series.

While some may find the oxygen mechanic slightly intrusive, it ultimately adds a strategic element that enriches the gameplay. The humor, writing, and voice acting remain consistently strong, capturing the essence of the Borderlands universe. The sheer number of weapons and customization options ensure countless hours of gameplay. The addition of new character classes and skills provides a fresh feel, even for seasoned Borderlands veterans.

The game’s technical performance is largely stable, with only minor glitches reported. The graphics remain visually appealing, and the sound design effectively complements the gameplay experience. The multiplayer aspect enhances the collaborative nature of the gameplay, allowing players to share the experience with friends. The overall presentation is polished and well-executed, showcasing the developers’ dedication to the series;