Register  |   Log In  |  
Sign up to our weekly newsletter    
Search   
Follow Me on Pinterest
Empire
Trending On Empire
Two free posters with Empire magazine
Subscribe: Get Dead Island: Riptide
Empire's Soundtrack Celebration
90 Years Of Warner Bros.
Vote for your favourite film
Cannes Film Festival 2013
News, photos and more from the Croisette
Reviews
STAR RATINGS EXPLAINED
Unmissable 5 Stars
Excellent 4 Stars
Good 3 Stars
Poor 2 Stars
Tragic 1 Star

PACKSHOT
Borderlands 2

GAME DETAILS
Released
21 September 2012
Format
PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Developer
Gearbox Software

LATEST GAME REVIEWS
Dead Island: Riptide
2 Star Empire Rating
Persona 4 Arena
4 Star Empire Rating
Soul Sacrifice
3 Star Empire Rating
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen
4 Star Empire Rating
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
4 Star Empire Rating



5 STAR REVIEWS
BioShock Infinite
5 Star Empire Rating
Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch
5 Star Empire Rating
Far Cry 3
5 Star Empire Rating
Lego The Lord of the Rings: The Video Game
5 Star Empire Rating
Halo 4
5 Star Empire Rating

Borderlands 2


Borderlands 2 (2012)
Review
Borderlands 2 isn’t a game to be played alone. While it’s a perfectly competent single-player experience, to make the most out of this ludicrous role-playing-game-cum-shoot-‘em-up then enlisting an additional three gun-toting maniacs is a fundamental necessity.

It’s rare for a co-op mode to feel anything other than a throwaway supplement, but Borderlands 2 integrates it in such a way that it’s near essential. Alongside obvious advantages when it comes to completing missions and tackling enemies, crucially extra players increase the amount of loot dropped. It doesn’t sound like much incentive, but Borderlands 2’s compulsive design entices players to battle onward with the alluring promise of richer rewards – more money, more ammo and, yes, many more guns.

Regrettably the story fails to compel players forward in quite the same gripping manner. Set some five years after the end of its predecessor, Pandora is now governed by charismatic despot Handsome Jack, who has claimed ownership of the Vault and its contents. It’s a rather paper-thin premise that remains borderline arid, until some second act twists accelerate the story in the latter hours of the game. Jack himself proves a laudable, formidable antagonist, goading the player on frequent basis over comms, which does much to paper over the cracks in pacing.

Pandora itself is a hugely inviting location. Imposing at an initial glance, you’ll soon be driving around the dusty plains, icy peaks and picking up quests in hub-town Sanctory. It’s populated with a likewise assorted mix of enemy types, but there’s some dubious logic to their AI – certain enemies leave few defensive options, forcing an over-reliance on luck to survive.

It’s a minor niggle however when you consider the wealth of content available, and the best of which only becomes available once you’ve finished the game. Unlocked upon completion, the True Vault Hunter mode introduces new enemies and better guns to an arsenal that already ought to make Call of Duty blush. Needless to say, it’s a game that requires a serious investment, but one that also pays dividends in return. Just make sure you invite a few friends to reap the benefits.


Reviewed by Bryan Murray

Write Your Review
To write your review please login or register.

Your Reviews

Average user rating for Borderlands 2
Empire Star Rating

Game of the year

I liked the first one , this however is miles better and is my game of 2012 , I've played it easily 100 hours , loads to do , never gets boring . Top notch graphics , gameplay and do get the dlc they are all ace ! ... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by Magicbigp at 13:57, 07 February 2013 | Report This Post


Cracking game

Great fun, whether you play it alone or in a group. ... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by sjmlondon at 12:38, 13 October 2012 | Report This Post


Cracking game

Great fun, whether you play it alone or in a group. ... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by sjmlondon at 12:38, 13 October 2012 | Report This Post


Gimmie,Gimmie,Gimmie !!!!!!!! ... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by Happy Shrapnel at 16:40, 21 September 2012 | Report This Post



CURRENT HIGHLIGHTS
Movie Poster Mashups: The Furniture Edition
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be appalled at the punning...

Cannes Film Festival Videblogisodes #1
Leonardo Di Caprio, Baz Luhrmann and a mysterious stranger kick things off

Exclusive: Why Man Of Steel Wasn't Called Superman
Writer and producer David S. Goyer speaks

Dwayne Johnson Talks Fast & Furious 6
'I wanted to come in and frankly dominate the movie.'

Music Celebration: David Holmes On The Making Of The Out Of Sight Soundtrack
'I watched the film... the music was all over the shop'

The Rise And Fall Of The Movie Power Ballad
What happened to those endless movie theme no.1 hits?

Hans Zimmer Career Interview
On The Dark Knight, Man Of Steel and Going For Gold

Subscribe For Only £20
Get Dead Island: Riptide and six issues of Empire for only £20! Subscribe now
Steven Spielberg iPad App
Hollywood's most beloved director in this unique iPad special. Download now
Empire iPad Edition
The world's biggest movie magazine available on iPad Download now
Home  |  News  |  Blogs  |  Reviews  |  Future Films  |  Features  |  Interviews  |  Images  |  Competitions  |  Forum  |  iPad  |  Podcast  |  Magazine Contact Us  |  Empire FAQ  |  Subscribe To Empire  |  Register
© Bauer Consumer Media  |  Terms And Conditions  |  Our Data Promise To You  |  Bauer Entertainment Network
Bauer Consumer Media. Company number 1176085 (England). Registered Office: 21 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2DY