Revealed in 2007, Borderlands is a sci-fi first-person shooter with heavy RPG elements thrown in for good measure. The game makes use of an open world setting and is already looking more than a little bit reminiscent of a Mad Max movie thanks to its sparsely populated desert backdrop and post apocalyptic cyberpunk setting.
The developer
Developer Gearbox is behind this ambitious sounding title. The developer has been working in the industry for ten years and started off creating Half Life/Counterstrike mods and ports. Gearbox then went on to create Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 for PC, as well as Halo: Combat Evolved and a series of Brothers in Arms titles including Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway.
The story and setting
The premise behind Borderlands holds a lot of potential and the story looks like it may offer a bit more than the majority of video game releases.
In the distant future, humans have set up a colony on a planet known as Pandora. Drawing on themes relevant to real world earth’s relatively recent history, the plot sees human colonists drawn to the newly discovered planet, seeking a better life, wealth, technology and adventure.
Soon after settling, colonists discover that the planet actually has little to offer, and the majority end up abandoning the new world.
For those that stay, Pandora is a sparsely inhabited, mysterious and dangerous new world, governed by lawlessness and greed. Furthermore, as several years pass the planet’s slow orbit brings a seasonal transition, and the awakening of previously hibernating alien beasts.
The remaining colonists battle amidst an inhospitable environment and a lawless society. When a mysterious radio signal discussing an ancient vault containing valuable alien technology is discovered, ambitious treasure hunters begin frantically searching for the supposed relic.
From what we have read and seen, the game’s setting is not far off what Bethesda delivered in Fallout 3, and neither is the gameplay which combines elements of traditional first-person-shooters with the character development features used in traditional RPGs.
The game is currently set to feature three unique playable characters, all of whom have their own unique back-story, character statistics and abilities.
Gameplay
Gearbox has announced that Borderlands will allow players to enjoy up to four player co-ops over the internet, allowing different players to play as different characters all with a unique role to play in the party.
There will be side quests as well as an overarching main storyline, and players will be rewarded with money, trust, respect, experience and love.
At its basic core, Borderlands will be an action-orientated first person shooter with a heavy emphasis on character customisation and leveling.
Guns guns guns
Much has been made of the announcement that Borderlands will feature around 600 000 unique weapons. This has been achieved by way of a procedural weapons generator, which cobbles weapons together using a variety of individual parts.
According to Gearbox, no two weapons will ever be the same, all possessing different strengths and weakness.
Borderlands will make use of the Unreal Engine 3, and is being published by 2K games for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.
Borderlands is looking very promising indeed, and if Gearbox is able to deliver on its ambition then we are in for a treat later this year. The game currently has no official release date, but it is expected to drop in the next eight months.
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