Borderlands 2 Details

Not full previews, but two sites bring us tidbits about Borderlands 2 based on what they’ve seen of the game at Gamescom. Joystiq lets us know about the improved UI for multiplayer.

Borderlands 2 will allow you to take you couch co-op companion online. Gearbox’s Steve Gibson told Joystiq at the Gamescom reveal of the game that those playing split-screen will be able to go online and connect with two other players.

“The only situation you can not do is split-screen plus split-screen because you need a host,” Gibson said. “And a split-screen guy uses a lot of CPU, so he can not be the host.”

OXM has 15 things you need to know about Borderlands 2.

10. The AI packs a punch
The baddies aren’t just a posse of yelping bullet-sponges any more. Wound certain varieties and they’ll limp away, firing back at you; down others and they’ll pull themselves up on one elbow for a last ditch salvo. Smarter foes will try their hands at flanking tactics, and if there’s high ground available, expect them to seize it. Both inside and outside combat, NPCs will be far more talkative.

11. None of the old guns return
Gearbox hasn’t just overhauled Borderlands’ gun roster, but gutted it completely. The weapon manufacturers have knocked out a slew of new toys, including realistic offerings from Dahl, AK47 homages with mandatory minigun barrel attachments from Ruskie outfit Vladof, and more explosive overkill from Torgue. Jakobs is still your first port of call for Wild Westy damage dealers.

12. Story missions are three times as big
You heard. Borderlands 2’s campaign packs triple the fun, so bring a packed lunch. What’s more, the storyline is now a dynamic affair, after the example of Mass Effect and its ilk. Fail to rescue Roland on time in the mission described above, for example, and you’ll splinter off into a different plot thread. We’re still trying to ascertain how drastic said splintering will be, but fans of replay-value should be delighted.