Borderlands 2

Ike of the Rehash Critics: Borderlands was a breakthrough in gaming with fast acting shooter action and unique graphics. As a first person shooter Borderlands offered more depth than any other platform with intricate skill trees, endless weapon combinations, and simple yet admirable character customization. Gearbox still delivers a superior product with Borderlands 2.

Gameplay: If you are an anti-social anaconda you are missing out on one of the most important aspects of the Borderlands 2 package. Co-op is a necessity for maximum enjoyment. In single player mode there won't be as much action, survival, killer guns, competition, smack talk, and fun. So pull up your big girl pants and join someone.

Action: Endless, challenging, and engrossing. There may be a long silence amongst your friends during intense battles, so refrain from resorting to your single player cussing at the video game.

Graphics: Gearbox continues with cel-shading and ups the anti on big bad guy design and difficulty. Don't worry, skags (which also describes X'es) are still around but outclassed by the newly introduced bullymongs. The beasties of Pandora, although not vast, add a higher level of difficulty.

New and/or Improved: You will experience more guns, larger territories (vertically and horizontally), enhanced villains, new characters, new talent trees, crazy creatures, the capability of hiding old missions you don't want, and character transferable skill points (i.e. add 1% to shield recharge rate, max health, etc…).

Most disappointing: Here it is in a nutshell: Maps are tricky with multiple levels and poor direction, some talent trees don't have a whole lot of variety, and the story is not as engrossing as the first.

In summation Borderlands 2 met and exceeded 98% of my expectations. I am still playing the second play through and have not maxed out my love for this one. BUY BUY BUY, didn't play the first Borderlands BUY BUY BUY. This game is as flawless as it gets.

This game is the best co-op video game of all time and the best of the franchise as well as my favorite video game of all time. I have completed the story/game over 4 times and would gladly play it again. Hilarious game maintaining super interesting plot with a phenomenal (and my favorite) villian and also great npc's such as Tiny Tina, Claptrap, and Mister Torgue. The loot system and farming in this game lend to to very high replayability with 3 levels of playthrough and then overpower levels. Playing this game with a friend will by far maximaize ability to enjoy the game and the 2 dlc characters and 4 dlc locations with new missions are worth your time and money especially Tiny Tina's Assualt of Dragon Keep. Good luck Vault Hunters

This game is amazing, and a must get. There is enough content to entertain you for hours, especially with the dlc. I have put like a 1000 hours into this game across multiple playthroughs, characters and platforms. The story is great, one of the best villains in gaming history, and very distinctive graphics (cell shading or something I think it's called). The characters are so memorable, and the gameplay is amazing. Due to the abundance of guns, mods, shields etc and enemy types and locations. This game is up there as my favourite of all time alongside bioshock and I keep coming back to it. You don't need to play borderlands 1 before hand, as it's a new story. But there are som reoccurring characters so I reccomend it. The pre-sequel is not necessary though. In overall... GET THIS GAME!!!

Looking back after having played this through it was pure luck that we ever got anything remotely or nearly as entertaining when you see the story, characters, and arc of Borderlands 3. To me the story ends here.

Pros:

• Great fast-paced gameplay
• Great exploration areas
• Tons of great side quests
• Colourful and quirky characters
• Great humour
• Good character progression
• Good customisation
• Charming art style
• Tons of weapons and loot
• Allot of enemy types
• Even more fun with coop

Cons:

• Clunky vehicle controls
• Can get abit repetitive

Verdict: Borderlands 2 has allot of content to offer, as well having it's great humour and witty writing. The gunplay and the acquiring of valuable loot makes this loot shooter extremely addicting.

8.5 / 10.