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BORDERLANDS 3 (PS4)
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Publisher: 2K Games.
Developer: Gearbox Software. Released: September 2019. Genre: FPS. Other versions: XONE; PC. Posted 23rd May 2020. By Shane Battams © 2020 |
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Following years of speculation, a slew of controversies at Gearbox and a series of disappointing releases as both developer and publisher, Borderlands 3 has finally surfaced some seven years after the second game, a brief detour with The Pre-Sequel in 2014 notwithstanding. Taking a “bigger is better” approach to development, the newest looter-shooter takes you across a galaxy, shooting more enemies than you can shake a stick at and – of course – collecting all the guns. Though fans of the series will likely find plenty to enjoy with the threequel, the bloated nature of this threatens to prove divisive amongst gamers, and certainly won’t convert those not already enamoured with the series.
Borderlands 3 offers perhaps the most in-depth story of the series so far, continuing on from the end of the previous game. With Handsome Jack and Hyperion toast, the discovery of multiple vaults throughout the galaxy and the uprising of the Children of the Vault cult led by the obnoxiously hollow Calypso twins, it’s up to four new vault-hunters to help series regular Lilith to stop the plans of these social-media pariahs. Fans of the series will likely enjoy the re-emergence of popular figures throughout, including characters from Tales from the Borderlands, and while the core villains do little to motivate the player, it still proves a decent yarn.
Borderlands 3 offers perhaps the most in-depth story of the series so far, continuing on from the end of the previous game. With Handsome Jack and Hyperion toast, the discovery of multiple vaults throughout the galaxy and the uprising of the Children of the Vault cult led by the obnoxiously hollow Calypso twins, it’s up to four new vault-hunters to help series regular Lilith to stop the plans of these social-media pariahs. Fans of the series will likely enjoy the re-emergence of popular figures throughout, including characters from Tales from the Borderlands, and while the core villains do little to motivate the player, it still proves a decent yarn.
Borderlands 3's greatly expanded universe might prove arduous to some, but the combat is still terrific fun.
If you looted your way through the previous games, this one will prove familiar. As you begin in Pandora, the learning curve is particularly steep, with plentiful enemies and poor weapon drops making it a heavy going. Eventually, once you nab some decent armaments, the frantic and explosive combat kicks into life, while the mix of RPG elements and loot collecting remains a worthwhile venture. The biggest changes come in the classes, with four new characters available. FL4K can utilise creatures to aid him, Amara serves as the siren, Moze can summon a mech suit while changing weapons equipped to it and Zane serves as a sniper of-sorts. These are incredibly fluid, as each character comes with three class trees which let you create unique builds. FL4K, for example, can be turned into an invisible weapon of death, as certain abilities allow you to upgrade his Skill and, combined with critical shotgun damage, he can turn bosses to ash in no time at all. This makes choosing both your class and your upgrades very important. It’s easily the deepest character upgrading the series has seen.
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Borderlands 3 is by far the biggest game of the series, which is both a blessing and a curse. No longer confined to Pandora, you can eventually travel to multiple planets, including the jungle-infested Eden-6, the neon-tinged Promethea and Athenas, a monastic area with temples and ancient structures. The areas feel distinct, and the revamped fast travel allows you to warp instantly between your ship and points on each map. There are plentiful side quests, which vary in quality, as well as collectibles and challenges such as hunting big-game creatures for Hammerlock. Despite this, BL3 becomes kind of a slog towards the end, especially when the game teases a conclusion, only to pull the rug out from under your feet on a number of occasions. Fans of the series should be able to stick with it, but you can imagine how those not enamoured with the series might feel. Some stuff feels like ticking off a checklist, rather than exploring the great unknown, and it’s a shame, because the expanded game world makes sense in the context of the story, but this seems to punctuate nagging issues with the series.
Post-game has also enjoyed a significant expansion. Mayhem mode lets you increase the levels of enemies throughout the world, with three levels upping the enemy’s strength, loot drops and potential for extra levelling. It’s a nice addition to those looking to reach the 50 cap, but True Vault Hunter is also available upon your first completion, allowing you to replay the entire game with extra rewards for more challenge. You can not only play through the entire game with three other players, but also matchmake to partake in the Circles of Slaughter – a series of waves which sees you fighting increasingly challenging enemies. But with such a density of content available, the replays aren’t quite as enticing this time around, simply because of how long it takes to complete the game. Even if you avoid side content, you’re likely to spend 30 hours reaching the end.
Post-game has also enjoyed a significant expansion. Mayhem mode lets you increase the levels of enemies throughout the world, with three levels upping the enemy’s strength, loot drops and potential for extra levelling. It’s a nice addition to those looking to reach the 50 cap, but True Vault Hunter is also available upon your first completion, allowing you to replay the entire game with extra rewards for more challenge. You can not only play through the entire game with three other players, but also matchmake to partake in the Circles of Slaughter – a series of waves which sees you fighting increasingly challenging enemies. But with such a density of content available, the replays aren’t quite as enticing this time around, simply because of how long it takes to complete the game. Even if you avoid side content, you’re likely to spend 30 hours reaching the end.
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It's Borderlands, so look forward to deadly vehicles and deadly weapons aplenty.
Borderlands 3 enjoys a visual upgrade, though it lacks polish. Everything pops with more colour, the cel-shaded style is still appealing, environments are perhaps some of the most intricate of the series and the varied palettes of each planet keeps things fresh. Sadly, the performance can chug at points, the load times feel quite excessive and weird issues such as clipping through a floor after a cut-scene are disappointing. The sound is mixed, as while Jesper Kyd delivers a fantastic and varied soundtrack, the voice work can be very spotty, and the humour is uneven at the best of times. At one point, for example, a character continuously makes animal mating voices through your comms until you clear the area. Some jokes do hit the mark though, and the pop culture gags are generally harmless.
Borderlands 3 is inarguably the biggest entry in the series, for better and for worse. Fans will delight in an expanded story, the litany of planets to loot and the wealth of shooting that awaits them. Those less enamoured with Gearbox’s FPS series will likely find it more tiring than enjoyable. Even fans may experience fatigue, as the sheer length, and the inconsistency of the mission design, contribute to a sense of diminished returns. Still, with fantastic character classes, plenty of awesome sequences and explosively addictive combat, it is still a good time for those willing to embark on a long trek. Plus, if you bring some friends along for the ride, it’s even better. It’s just a shame that, in expanding the scope of the series so significantly, it seems to have amplified some nagging ailments with Borderlands as a whole.
Borderlands 3 is inarguably the biggest entry in the series, for better and for worse. Fans will delight in an expanded story, the litany of planets to loot and the wealth of shooting that awaits them. Those less enamoured with Gearbox’s FPS series will likely find it more tiring than enjoyable. Even fans may experience fatigue, as the sheer length, and the inconsistency of the mission design, contribute to a sense of diminished returns. Still, with fantastic character classes, plenty of awesome sequences and explosively addictive combat, it is still a good time for those willing to embark on a long trek. Plus, if you bring some friends along for the ride, it’s even better. It’s just a shame that, in expanding the scope of the series so significantly, it seems to have amplified some nagging ailments with Borderlands as a whole.
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VERDICT
"Some nagging series ailments have been amplified by a greatly expanded game world, but fans will still enjoy Borderlands 3, especially with some friends along for the ride." OVERALL: 7/10 |