Borderlands (Xbox 360, 2009)

Borderlands is a unique game, taking both 1st person shooter, and RPG qualities and brilliantly mixing them together to create a totally original and deep game. With four characters to choose from, each with their own abilities and pros and cons, the choices are endless. The game has virtually unlimited amounts of various guns, each with there own pros and cons as well. The environment in this game is so different and redone compared to other games' graphics like Bioshock or Halo 3. There are multiple areas and lands you can travel to and immerse yourself in battle. The games level up system is both your friend and your enemy, giving you a hard time to achieve your next level, but rewarding you with a stronger character every time you are able to climb to the next rank. This game is no cake-walk, and does present many challenges and intriguing boss and mini-boss battles. The game also features a 4 person real-time multiplayer interface where your friends can jump in or out of your world and assist you in quests battles and even trade off some items to help you out in tough times. There is also a lot of talk about this game getting quite a bit of Downloadable content, which allows you to further increase your adventures in the game and see new lands and fight off new enemies, and best of all, the chance to find new weapons and quests. When it comes to Borderlands, the endless guns, abilities, special attacks, level ups, and creatures to fend off will not leave you bored, or asking for your money back.

~ theusmale

One problem with this game was the demo. When i played the demo i thought the game was silly and i didn't realize that it even was an RPG.
After noticing that this game made a "25 MUST own games" list i gave it another look and i am really glad i did.
This game is an outstanding Apocalyptic RPG. If you like fallout you will like this game. It is a light RPG meaning there is not a lot of story or dialog, but what it lack in story it makes up for with fun. This game offers that in spades.
The clean interface works very well to show you the information that you need, and at times remove items you don't need to see.
The loot is varied and useful. You will get a lot of Ammo and a fair amount of weapon and shield drops as well as cash. You can buy items easily from a variety of vending machines.
I was pleasantly surprised to find the vehicles to be outstanding, a lot of fun easy to control, power cannons and easy to get in and out of.
I have found a few pathing issues, but nothing that will stop the game. on time i got stuck in a box but was able to granade myself out of there. no problem
the respapwns start off low but do cost more and more money based on your amount of cash and or level. The shield system and health packs will allow you to avoid visinting them too often.
_There is a lot more to this game than i have seen yet, for example online + Multiplayer co-op mode. I can already tell that looks outstanding as the vehicles accommodate a driver and a second shooter in a 360* turret. I am looking forward to giving that a try.

I have not played though the entire game yet, but just wanted to let everyone know that if you are looking at this game and are a fan of RPG's don't hesitate to get it. You will not be disappointed. this game is truly one of the most underrated games on the Xbox system and does earn the title of "Must Own"
Think of this like a Fallout 3 with co-op and duel mode, in a less realistic graphic environment (Graphics are more on the cartoon side than fallout 3)

Borderlands as gone for a obscure and some would say sticky middle road, not a deep emersive role playing game nor a adrenaline filled shooter. Many have praised it for taking this path, many have laughed at what they believe to be a ridiculous concept.

Music:

First of the games theme music is flattering not only to the art style but also the game play, words like "aint know rest for the wicked" jingle in my head each time I unload a clip to remove yet another poor being from obstructing my chosen path.

Art:

Now 2k Games made a big deal about this, they advertised alot of footage to show off there new style game. I however do feel they were just trying to hit another reason why this game is different from the others. Its graphics feel dated and the art style seems to be a cover up for lazy details. That said, it grows on you. By the time you finish your first 4 hour session you will have completely forgotten that its any differently graphically to any other game you've played.

Gameplay:

This is the core, the heart, the soul of Borderlands. Things like experience popping up on the screen after a kill (much like COD multiplayer) keep you looking for kills, bold read letters of "Critical Hit!" keep you aiming for the head and the "87 Bazillion guns" keep you looting the bodies that drop. For those of you who love leveling up characters, this will keep you entertained... for a while. But thats all part of my final section.

The Moan:

RPG... Now it's a regularly used term and there are many titles that cling onto the 3 sacred letters to try and project an image of real depth and days of exploring. Borderlands unfortunately does not have real depth.

There is no great area that will take you more than a couple of hours to explore, there are no great choices that will spin the game. And to be completely honest there is no significant story, you get no details on a history behind the character you have chosen and there is little detail given to why some people help you to your goals and why your even so eager to get to the conclusion of the story. And unfortunately you shouldn't hurry to there end. Its very disappointing!

Conclusion:

With creating a game completely different in a time surrounded by well founded sequels (Left 4 Dead 2, Assassins Creed 2, Modern warfare 2) there is always going to be people who ignore it, people who hate it and people who class it as a hidden gem.

I can safely declare myself in the latter crowd cheering on the mighty folk at 2k Games. They have put a new franchise out and have already declared that there will be more. I personally can't wait.

Simply put:

This game is a great piece of co-op fun.

People may state that the story may not be unbelievable. But, the way the game is visually designed, to the amount of weapons that are attainable, to the variety of enemies you will face is incredible. As the back of the case states "bazillion of guns". You will have your head wrapped around this game for quite some time. The levels are huge, the weapons are different and varied. The visual style is amazing. I would highly recommend this game to anyone. It is not your just point and shoot first person shooter. The game as stated is a rpg/fps. This at first was a slight turn off to me because i am not usually into the role playing games. However, this game works in the same way that call of duty does, in which you get level upgrades and more things are unlocked. The more you use a weapon, the higher that level becomes. Simply put, Pick it up. you will not be sorry!

First off I'm 26 going on 27, I work full time, go to school full time, and have a five year old. needless to say I don't get to much time for video games. But when I recieved my copy of borderlands, it was all over. the first night I played for 9 stright hours. haven't done that since the first halo. This game has it all. first person shooter with grate game play, controls similer to Call of Duty, and an interactive inviernment like Fable. Thiers always places to explore, treasures to search out, and people to talk too. not to mention 100's of missions and bounties to collect. The enemys can get a little repetitive but with a varrying skill levels, you're sure to be intertained all through the game. The thing I like the least is how many guns thier are. I now every body usually complians about not having enough guns in first person shooters, but this game has millions. some times I feel as if I spend more time comparing the new guns on the ground to the ones I'm carrying. then having to decied wich guns I should throw away and wich ones I should take back and sell, all when what i want to be doing is working on my head shots. 9.5/10 for this one for sure. second i'm done going through it, i'm starting at the begining and going through it again.