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7 Reasons You Gotta LOVE Borderlands

7 Reasons You Gotta LOVE Borderlands

2019 is going to be a big year for Borderlands . At PAX East 2019 , Gearbox Software bombarded people with announcements. We learned Borderlands 3 is on the way, an updated Borderlands Game of the Year Edition is coming to the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, and there is even a Borderlands: Tiny Tina’s Robot Tea Party physical card game. That isn’t even counting the fact that Borderlands 2 VR is going to get all of the game’s DLC. It is a good time to be a fan!

But what makes people love Borderlands ? Why should you get into it, if you haven’t played it before. Let’s go over what makes it so great.

The Memes

The Memes

The Borderlands series is absurd and hilarious on its own. That sense of humor about itself and over-the-top nature is what makes people love it. But, it also means something else happened. People love it so much, it has resulted in some great memes. People love and hate Claptrap for his caustic attitude, which leads to lots of memes riffing on him. Borderlands 2 has a Face McShooty mission about shooting a guy in the face, which you can imagine became a iconic as Boaty McBoatface. It having millions, and soon billions, of guns has led to memes about how painstakingly looking to see which ones are best. There was even one about waiting for Borderlands 3, but it isn’t really relevant anymore.

The Distinctive Art Style

The Distinctive Art Style

You can tell a Borderlands game at a glance. That’s because they all have this unique look. Each one of them involves hand-drawn textures, which are then scanned into the game. Once there, the team at Gearbox colors and adds outlines. It feels like these are rough characters in a harsh and unforgiving world, which is appropriate given the setting. It’s this great sort of cel-shaded look that ends up appearing timeless.

The Versatility

The Versatility

The mainstream Borderlands titles are first-person shooters with action-RPG elements. But, the characters, plot, and world are so rich, it has been able to successfully seep into other genres. Tales from the Borderlands showed how well it could work as an adventure game or visual novel. (RIP Telltale Games.) Borderlands 2 VR shows it can work as a VR experience. It’s even gotten its first board game, a card game called Borderlands: Tiny Tina’s Robot Tea Party. It can’t be contained within one genre.

The Ports

The Ports

Borderlands is everywhere. You can play the original game on the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, and NVIDIA Shield Android TV. Borderlands 2 is on the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Vita, PC, PSVR, and Shield Android TV. Tales from the Borderlands is on all of the above, as well as iOS devices. The Pre-Sequel actually ends up being the “least” accessible, since it is only available on the PS3, Xbox 360, PC, and Shield Android TV. So yeah, everyone can play these games, which is great.

The Characters

The Characters

The Borderlands series has always had these amazing characters who are memorable and stand out. Tiny Tina is fantastic with explosives and has a spunky attitude, but also a tragic backstory. Everyone knows and recognizes Claptrap in the gaming world. Handsome Jack is a charismatic villain you may love to hate. Past Vault Hunters return as NPCs to add flavor to later games. (Seriously, who else hopes Brick plays sax in more than just the Borderlands 3 trailer?) People are memorable, and that makes us want to go back and play more.

The Loot

The Loot

Borderlands set a Guinness World Record for having 17.75 million different guns. The Borderlands 3 trailer says there are going to be over a billion guns. Randomization means that you could find all sorts of good and different equipment. This is a game where you never know what your next loot drop could be like, and the thought of getting something incredibly cool or amazing drives you forward to even greater heights. It makes each installment super rewarding.

The Co-op

The Co-op

Borderlands is a series where it is always better with friends. Each game is designed for up to four players to join up and work together. The different heroes are perfectly balanced to complement each other for Vault hunting runs. Some people, like Gaige the Mechromancer, are designed to be easy for beginners to use. Others, like Borderlands 2 ‘s Zer0, are for more skilled players. It’s a game anyone can jump into, play with friends, and have a good time.

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