Has the Looter Shooter Mojo Returned?
I have fond memories of playing the earlier Borderlands games, especially with friends, and like a lot of the games that I remember of that time, much of the enjoyment came from going deep with a regular crew. In fact, it was with that crew in which I was first established as a ‘Loot Ninja’, leaving my friends to fight while I opened the nearby chests!
For whatever reason, Borderlands 3 didn’t particularly vibe with me, and I never actually finished it. But now we have Borderlands 4 from Gearbox Software and 2K Games. Can this game recapture the mojo of the original pair, or is it more of a third episode type deal?
Well, there’s only one way to find out, so I went hunting for a Vault. What could possibly go wrong?
Cel-Shaded Savagery
Kicking off with the presentation, and here the news has always been good. Borderlands art style has always been that of a cel shaded, almost hand drawn look, and the trademark graphics are well up to scratch this time around in Borderlands 4. The world we explore is a vibrant place, with colourful scenery and enemies seemingly around every corner, and while there’s nothing amazingly new here, the switch of location to a whole new planet has allowed the designers to give their imaginations full reign.
Fighting everything from giant bats to even more giant robots, and pretty much everything in between, including the iconic Psychos, plays out looking great, whilst the world we explore is also a seamless experience, with no loading screens in sight as traversal is made. Taking on missions generally involves you travelling vast distances to get to the waypoints, and the journey is always interesting. So far, so good.
Gunfire and Grooves
Sound is, again, always a big part of the games, and while nothing will ever top Mr Torgue or Scooter, two of the finest NPCs from the Borderlands universe, the characters we play and that we meet along the way do all have a lot of personality, that comes across in some splendid voice acting. Add in all of the gun noises that the games are famous for, and the presentation gets a big old tick from me.
The Timekeeper’s Sinister Grip
But what about a story, why are we running about all over the planet’s surface? Well, in Borderlands 4 we find ourselves on Kairos, a world that is ruled with an iron fist by the Timekeeper. He keeps his grip on the world by using robots and his own private army, and also by using a sinister power that allows him to take control of any of the populace, forcing them to do his will; whether that be by killing their friends or even themselves!
So, what else can any self respecting Vault Hunter (which we are, in case you wondered) to do except whip up a revolution and overthrow the dictator? Well, maybe open a Vault if we find one, but otherwise, it is down with the Timekeeper!
Gameplay Revolution
It should come as no surprise to hear that Borderlands 4, at its heart, is a first person shooter, with the game viewed through the eyes of whichever Vault Hunter you choose. You know the score by now, we can see our chosen gun, and what is at the other end of it, and from there get to take in any enemy as they fall apart.
There is a wide range of weaponry to choose from too, with up to four able to be equipped at any one time, swapping between them at the stab of a button. So far, I’ve used pistols, shotguns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, SMG’s and rocket launchers, and I still feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface. Add into this the range of elements that the guns come in, like an electric SMG as an example, and you’re spoiled for choice. One nice touch is that this time, instead of having a grenade to throw about, you can choose to use a power weapon instead, and these open up new offensive capabilities.
The Vault Hunter’s Arsenal and Action Skills
Talking of offensive capabilities, each of the characters can utilise their own skill tree, and in these trees are various action skills that you can put points into. My favourite character is the Exo-Soldier, Rafa, and his best skill (at least, I think it’s his best) is the shoulder mounted cannons that can pour extra fire power onto the enemies. The rest of the Vault Hunters are a mixed bunch, all brand new, and while CL4P-TP makes a comeback (it’s not a Borderlands game without Claptrap, is it?), you should have no trouble finding a character that fits in with your playstyle.
Movement has been given a kick in Borderlands 4 as well, and there are a couple of new bits of kit to get used to. The first is a kind of energy whip, which can be used to pick things up off the floor or called upon to aid climbing to higher platforms. There is also a kind of glider, which lets us soar through the skies like a slightly armoured seagull. Chuck in a hover bike that can be summoned at will when the journey to the next mission is just too far, and pretty much everything you could need is in place, although I do think Borderlands 4 does try and hold your hand a bit.
Co-op Chaos and Repetitive Fights
And don’t think you need to just do the main missions that pop either. As you explore, there are so many side missions, quests and random encounters to take part in that getting to a main mission suddenly becomes the work of hours, unless you studiously ignore the distractions. Of course, doing more missions levels you up, which fills the skill tree, which makes you stronger, and the grind is fun.
A Triumphant Return for the Vault Hunters
Borderlands 4 is a return to form for the series, and with cross-play enabled for the multiplayer (which works as well as it ever did, bringing a whole new world of fun to the game) there is no hesitation in recommending that you take a trip to Kairos. The new characters are fun, the gunplay is as cool as ever, and the additional mechanics add an extra layer. The only fly in the ointment is that the sheer amount of fights do start to get repetitive, but with a crew, Borderlands 4 is about as good as it gets.
Important Links
More Guns, More Mayhem, More GLORY! Borderlands 4 is OUT NOW on Xbox, PS5 & PC – https://www.thexboxhub.com/more-guns-more-mayhem-more-glory-borderlands-4-is-out-now-on-xbox-ps5-pc/
Borderlands 4: More Guns, More Mayhem – https://www.thexboxhub.com/borderlands-4-more-guns-more-mayhem/
Borderlands 4: Legend of the Stone Demon Bounty Pack Unleashes New Bosses, Loot And Pearlescent Gear – https://www.thexboxhub.com/borderlands-4-legend-of-the-stone-demon-bounty-pack-unleashes-new-bosses-loot-and-pearlescent-gear/
Buy Borderlands 4 from the Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/borderlands-4/9MX6HKF5647G/0010
Enjoy a Deluxe Edition – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/borderlands4-deluxe-edition/9P6M51TD914L/0010
Go big with Super Deluxe – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/borderlands4-super-deluxe-edition/9NCQG87CH81N/0010
