Borderlands 2

So there’s this game out. Borderlands 2. Maybe you’ve heard of it.

I love it.

Borderlands 1

So Borderlands 1 was a great game. We came to it late (just a few weeks before Borderlands 2 came out) and thus got the package with all of the dlc at a bargain price.

I am SO glad we did.

First off, Borderlands 1 was fun. Granted, the scenery got a little monotonous (fixed in BL2) and the storyline, while interesting, wasn’t something to write home about.

But it was FANTASTIC split-screen local co-op, and even someone like myself who is not a huge fan of the first-person-shooter gameplay? I loved it.

I loved the humor. I loved the voice acting. I loved the ridiculous naming schemes (“Badmutha Skag”). I loved the gameplay and the gun upgrades and the weird art style.

In my opinion, the Dr. Ned’s Zombie Island DLC content was some of the most fun I’ve ever had gaming. Period.

Borderlands 2

Needless to say, I was excited about Borderlands 2.

From the very first moment, it completely blew away all of my expectations.

Handsome Jack? Hands-down the most entertaining villain I have ever interfaced with.

Voice acting is, if anything, even BETTER in this installment, and meeting all the old characters again was a real treat. Especially Tannis and her ceiling chairs.

Tiny Tina? Totally needs her own expansion content.

Bugs

There are a few bugs and rough bits, many of which we notice because we’re playing split screen, so things like not being able to see when we’re purchasing ammo (we have to listen to the sound because the “Purchased!” icon is too far down) or having the screen jump to the top when someone adds an item to the trade window … well, those are minor.

Dying for no reason while riding the crane box at the Wildlife Preserve is a little MORE troublesome, but we finally managed to get the achievement, so all’s well.

There’s stuff what needs fixin’, ain’t no bones about it.

Luffluff

Even so? Most entertaining game to date. Only game I’ve had more fun than this was WoW, and that was more because of the people in it than the game itself, necessarily.

Fantastic game.

Halo 4 came out recently (or something. Maybe it was Halo 7. I dunno). I’m not even a little tempted, even though it is also split-screen FPS local co-op.

Why?

Because Princess Fluffybutt has GAZONGAS like you would not believe, and Philippe was SO BRAVE, and Jack bought a pony made out of diamonds, and Brick likes to punch people into red mist, and one of the psychos has a three-minute monologue from Shakespeare.

I’m glad I played BL1 first, but I believe BL2 would be fun even without it.

I’d have regretted missing Dr. Ned and his ridiculous moustache, though. And Tannis might not have been quite as much fun if you hadn’t met her in BL1. I dunno.

Rating

Two controllers way, WAY up for Borderlands 2.

Sidenote

Do be aware, if you please, that I am not lauding the story of this game.

The plot is horrible. The loot system? Confusing at best, frustrating at worst.

This isn’t an amazing thinking game even as much as Bioshock was.

This? This is mindless, bloody, ridiculous fun.

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