The first reviews for Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel have gone live, and they offer a range of positive and mixed opinions, though what they all seem to agree is that the game doesn’t do enough to separate itself from its predecessors.
GamesRadar, 4/5.
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is packed with fan-service for long-time series vets, and gameplay-wise does a great job of providing more of the same for people who can’t get enough of what they already have. For that camp, it’s going to be a perfectly fine experience. For others, more of the same isn’t quite going to cut it, even with the sporadic–but notable–refinements on display.
GameSpot, 7/10.
Repetition and a lackluster story are its biggest shortcomings, but Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is different enough to separate itself from the shadows of its older siblings. Elpis provides some gorgeous scenery, and the low-gravity environments bring an exciting new dynamic exploration and combat. No, it never reaches the furthest edges of space, but Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel still offers some the best of what the series has to offer: good loot, good laughs, and good times for many hours.
Polygon, 7/10.
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel doesn’t feel like a game that needs to be, exactly. It’s a story filling in gaps, adding a bit of nuance to a world that’s already had two games worth of exposition rather than exploring new ground. It’s the same recipe that’s driven two full, long games and a host of downloadable content. But the lark of low gravity proves that the tedious parts of previous games don’t have to stay an anchor holding the series down. That addition makes this one last run through the world of Pandora (or its moon, anyway) on the last generation of consoles worth the time.
PC Gamer, 77/100.
The Pre-Sequel is a happy to be Just Another Borderlands Game. I enjoyed it for that, but I also finished it thinking my time would’ve been better spent on one of the more original games that’ve released this year. I love seeing Borderlands embrace the FPS trend of unconventional movement. Apart from the low-gravity leaping, though, The Pre-Sequel doesn’t do much to freshen what we’ve been playing since 2012.
Joystiq, 3.5/5.
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel has the makings of a pretty great Borderlands game. There are plenty of enemies begging to have their faces shot. The environments on Elpis are stunning neon spectacles, there are plenty of new guns that are bundles of violent joy to use (including lasers!), and the new characters are well-rounded. The Pre-Sequel is missing just a bit of soul, but it has plenty of heart hearts exploded by laser rifles.
Kotaku, YES.
I am, to be frank, grateful that Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is a decent-ish game. Last time Gearbox gave a major game to another developer, it came back in the rotten bits and pieces known as Aliens: Colonial Marines. That does not, however, change the fact that Pre-Sequel isn’t particularly spectacular in any area.
It just kinda. exists. If you find yourself craving another Borderlands fix and you’ve finished 1, 2, and their DLC, well then yeah, go for it. Otherwise, though, you’re honestly not missing much if you skip this one.
PC World, 3.5/5.
If this review feels overly negative, it’s because the positives of Borderlands seem hardly worth discussing we’ve already had two games (and countless expansions) worth of this stuff. This is a decent bit of fan-service, the loot grind is still addictive when it works, the writing is solid when it’s not simply aiming for bottom-of-the-barrel meme and reference humor, and the shooting has a good feel to it.
But there’s nothing innovative here, nothing interesting to bring back those who felt sated by the end of Borderlands 2, no real hook. It’s a stopgap. It’s more Borderlands. For some, that’ll be enough. For others, well, I’m sure Borderlands 3 is on its way.
The Escapist, 4/5.
Personally, I still have room for more Borderlands, even if I’m a little less impressed each time I see it. With other loot-driven first-person shooter games failing to scratch my itch for increasingly powerful guns, The Pre-Sequel has arrived at just the right time. Just be aware that, more than likely, your co-op experience will very likely consist of four Claptraps rolling around.
Oh, and some sensitive nice guys are going to hate the “friendzone” joke, but I laughed.
Destructoid, 6/10.
2K Australia nailed the combat with The Pre-Sequel. It is fast, fresh, and more tactically interesting than ever before. The writing hits the right notes, although the overarching plot is not quite as emotionally powerful as other entries have been. For many, that is enough to be a great experience. I had a lot of fun playing through, and I anticipate I will keep playing for months as more friends obtain copies.
Despite that glowing praise, I am torn, because I also recognize that it is far from perfect. The environmental art direction gets dull too quickly, the level design is lacking in basic conveniences, and a general sloppiness is present when looking closely. Some of the cool new features like multi-leveled areas and combining weapons could have been enhanced further if the user interface and systems had been updated to play to those strengths. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is a solid entry to the series, but I hope that the development team takes some of the failings to heart and delivers excellence in the future.
Metro, 7/10.
We know in our hearts that Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is just a stop-gap, a game created simply because Borderlands 3 isn’t ready yet and 2K and Gearbox want to keep the brand alive. But we couldn’t help but enjoy it all the same, and we applaud 2K Australia for making the very best of their opportunity. More significant changes will be required for the next game, but for now the pre-sequel provides an experience that is at least as entertaining as Destiny.
GameInformer, 7.5/10.
Ultimately, those who just want more Borderlands are getting their wish. The Pre-Sequel offers plenty of missions, completely new environments and playable characters, and one of the more interesting story threads of the series. If you’re looking for more from Borderlands, however, The Pre-Sequel falls short, and it will take more than laser blasters and buttstomps to put the series back at the top of my must-play list.
Shacknews, 7/10.
Much like a Claptrap, parts of Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel try too hard to be liked. The freezing element, although welcome, doesn’t add much to the gameplay. Between the airless environments and the gravity slams, it’s usually far easier to shatter masks and wait for enemies to suffocate than it is to fire a dozen shots in hopes that one of them will freeze an enemy in place for a second or two. Laser weapons, on the other hand, are a great addition–no matter what Mr. Torgue thinks. 2K Australia has injected some of its own personality into Borderlands. While not all of the changes are as welcome as others, it’s successful on the whole.
Hardcore Gamer, 2.5/5.
It’s hard to follow-up on what Gearbox Software has created over the last two iterations and what The Pre-Sequel brings is nothing short of a letdown. While 2K Australia were able to replicate certain parts of what made the Borderlands series fun, the frequent bugs, dull script, short campaign and repetitive world design will leave fans disappointed. It doesn’t help that the only playable character that changes the dynamic of how comical the story can become is Claptrap, with the rest of the cast giving a stale performance and resonating no personality. That’s not to say the shooting mechanics aren’t entertaining, and the physics of low gravity makes traversal fun, but the loot system feels scaled back unless you’re willing to grind cash to buy something from a vendor. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is an unpolished, uninspired adventure where fun can be had with friends, but that time could be better spent elsewhere.
Total Xbox, 8/10.
This feels like the beginning of a new take on Borderlands – a more reactive, immediate, Australian game, better built for lone players but still accommodating for the co-op crowd – although by no means distinct enough to be called a follow-up. It’s unlikely to change minds, but it will indulge those already on board – and, frankly, if you don’t like it, we’ll borrow a phrase from Boganella: [CENSORED].
Xbox Achievements, 80/100.
If you’re hankering for more Borderlands, then The Pre-Sequel will most definitely scratch that itch. It doesn’t really offer anything wildly new or innovative, and plays things safe for the most part, but there’s no mistaking the sheer volume of fun on offer. It’s great.
Mashable, scoreless.
If you’re a die-hard Borderlands fan, one who has absorbed all the DLC and knows everything about the world’s minutiae, then The Pre-Sequel is a must get. And considering the success of Borderlands 2 8.5 million copies sold and eight episodes of downloadable content there’s probably a lot of people that fit that description. The game neatly ties in pieces of that world, and not only gives an interesting origin story to Handsome Jack, but lots of other characters as well.
But if you’re looking for a new or creative challenge, the game falters. It feels more like a palette swap of its successful predecessor. The fact it’s only on previous-gen consoles and PC lends to the fact the developers wanted this last game out the door before creating a whole new, next-gen take on the franchise. Despite traveling to a whole new world, we see many of Borderlands same old tricks in The Pre-Sequel.
CNET, scoreless.
The Pre-Sequel isn’t for everyone. If you’ve completely exhausted everything Borderlands 2 has to offer, then the Pre-Sequel will hold you over, but it shouldn’t be the first exposure you ever have to the series.
GameFront, 90/100.
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is exactly what fans of the series wanted in a new installment more Borderlands. It keeps everything that made Borderlands 2 great, and adds a few new tricks of its own. It might not be innovative, but it’s damn fun to play. Honestly, isn’t that what really matters?
Co-Optimus, 5/5 (and 5/5 to the co-op mode).
Now for the big question: did Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel add enough to make it a distinct product? The answer is… yes. Take the new features in with the subtle tweaks and suddenly Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel has a style all its own. It still shares plenty of core elements with its predecessor, but just because two people have the same skeleton, internal organs and cheesy haircut doesn’t mean they’re the same person. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is Borderlands 2’s close cousin. They grew up together, built blanket forts and tree houses together, but then Pre-Sequel went to high school on the moon. Now they’re back together and have rediscovered why they got along so well in the first place. Feel free to invite Pre-Sequel over for dinner even though you’ve had Borderlands 2 over every Thursday for the past two years. They’ll tell some of the same stories, but Pre-Sequel learned several neat tricks on the moon and has plenty of its own stories to share.
Ars Technica, scoreless.
Frankly, though, I’d have felt perfectly satisfied with Borderlands: The Pre-sequel even if it was half the length. The new setting, addition of low-gravity gameplay, and small changes and additions throughout make the new title feel just as revelatory as the first Borderlands did five years ago, and they don’t ruin what makes the series special. Here’s hoping the inevitable actual sequel (“The Post-sequel?”) will prove to be just as inventive and fun.
USGamer, 2.5/5.
Ultimately, The Pre-Sequel feels incredibly dated which isn’t surprising, seeing as its core gameplay stems from those reletively ancient days of 2009. In a world where Destiny exists, it’s unclear why anyone would opt for The Pre-Sequel over a much more well-crafted co-op FPS that features a similar crowd of addicts who can’t stop playing in spite of themselves (or so the Internet says). Admittedly, The Pre-Sequel managed to hook me from time to time, but whenever I thought I’d settled into its world, those old problems would crop up again and remind me that, yes, I’m still playing a Borderlands game. I’m sure Gearbox has lots in store for whatever current-gen installment they’re currently dreaming up, but until that sees the light of day, Borderlands remains a series that never quite delivers on its wild ideas.
Paste Magazine, 8.0/10.
Otherwise Pre-Sequel offers what fans expect, but with enough new toys and jokes to keep their attention. It’s probably not the best starting point, but if you find either of the previous Borderlands to your liking, Pre-Sequel should satisfy. It’s a funny shooting spree where the response to (Dying is easy; comedy is hard) is to turn dying into comedy.
IGN, 8.0/10.
Despite its tendency to make you jump through hoops before getting to the good stuff, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel delivers where I expect it to as a Borderlands fan. The new gear and low-gravity mechanics mixed with the zany skill trees makes for a fresh experience, and with Jack at the center driving the story forward, you get a deeper dive into the always entertaining, if well-traveled universe of Borderlands.
GameReactor, 8/10.
But unfortunately there is a lack of new, innovative ideas: this is just more of the same (great) stuff. If you had fun with the series, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel will not disappoint at all. It’s a truly crazy action role-playing game with bitter black humor, magnificent gameplay and a fantastic universe. But it’s not on par with Borderlands 2.
Strategy Informer, 7.5/10.
Ultimately, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel stands as a last hurrah for Gearbox’s RPG shooter in the form that we currently know it. With improvements that feel more incremental than innovative, 2K Australia have stepped up and provided a solid and long-lasting if technically safe entry in the Borderlands series and yet, it’s one which stands out almost singularly on the merit of it’s breathlessly entertaining cast and rowdy narrative.
Killscreen Daily, 65/100.
But its greatest strength is that The Pre-Sequel quietly asks you to think critically about the loot’n’shoot formula in a way that destabilizes its own value. You’re playing a game about playing games, and it constantly mocks the assumptions you’re bringing to it. It implodes on itself to watch your reaction. In short, The Pre-Sequel can be really uncomfortable if you’re just there to “have fun.”
Before you start, you have to make a tacit agreement with Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel: This is one of those times where you’ll gaze into the abyss, and the abyss will gaze into you.
Worthplaying, 8.9/10.
If Borderlands 2 was an example of the series coasting under its own momentum, the Pre-Sequel is something of a master class in how to refine the series into a step forward. The underlying game isn’t that different and it’s filled with the same humor that you’ve come to expect, but the change of setting and the polishing of the gameplay have done wonders. The game seems more reliant on a central plot than the series is normally known for, and through it, you learn how Jack became such a horrible person. If you’re like me and thought the Pre-Sequel is just another game in the series, then Claptrap’s class isn’t the only “Mistake.” For being the third game in a franchise and with a name that implies it to be more of the same, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is a surprisingly fresh experience.
Canadian Online Gamers, 80/100.
While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is tweaked sufficiently to warrant being its own entity. The oxygen, new classes, and gravity mechanics make gameplay feel fresh, while the story provides enough of a thread to tie things together. Sure, the missions and environments are repetitive and there are some technical hiccups, but The Pre-Sequel is fun to play, and well worth a look for fans of loot and/or shooting.
Gameplanet, 8.5/10.
Borderlands the Pre-Sequel is everything you should expect from a Borderlands game. While the gameplay additions mix it up slightly, it often feels like a huge expansion rather than a stand-alone release. The quality is fantastic, the comedy is hilarious. There’s more loot than you can wave a Dahl shotgun at, plus all the pulse-pounding bullet-spewing carnage you could hope for, but 2K Australia pulls back at the precipice of brilliance.
DarkStation, 4/5.
Over, under and through, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel! is a Borderlands game. If you enjoyed previous games, you’ll enjoy this one, though I’m happy to see that Gearbox proper is taking a break from the series for a bit. I also hope that this will not be the last we see of 2K Australia, who managed, despite using a license, to let their own voices shine through. With the majority of changes being positive, the only thing that should give someone pause over taking the plunge is whether or not you want more Borderlands.
Gaming Trend, 75/100.
I’m what you could honestly call a Borderlands fan, complete with over 200 hours clocked between Borderlands 2 and all the DLC involved. On top of that, I actually enjoy Handsome Jack’s character, and was eager to learn more about his rise and fall, and maybe pick up some more details about the Borderlands world at the same time all while enjoying a whole lot of loot-grabbing, robot-shooting mayhem. As a game, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel delivers a whole lot of fun. But it’s the exact same kind of fun that Borderlands 2 itself had, with very little innovation on the original game, much less improvements on what were out and out flaws. This is a game that should have been sold as yet more DLC, with a lowered price to match and I say that as a fan who was eagerly looking forward to this title.
