A definite highlight of 2012
Like a lot of sequels, Borderlands 2 doesn't have to re-invent itself just to set it apart from everything out there. A shooter with RPG elements, class-based characters with unique skill trees and millions of guns is pretty far from what most competitors are doing. Yet at the same time, the familiarity of this series is always apparent yet somehow it never feels a copy-and-paste job or "phoning it in". Practically every issue (save one) has been addressed, story's more to the forefront and skill trees can actually create different builds than before. Probably won't win any game of the year awards but so far, this has been my favorite "game" of 2012.
Taking place 5 years after the original Borderlands, a man named Handsome Jack has taken credit for the opening of the Vault, started to mine the huge Eridium deposits that came with the opening and took over the Hyperion corporation. With a new vault to go after, which Jack desperately wants to get into, and a new cast of vault hunters (and of course Claptrap), you're to travel the lands found on Pandora and take down Jack while being guided by the enigmatic Angel.
While some of the attempts at humor can fall flat, Borderlands 2 is not only one of the funnier games this year but also one of the better written. There's a bit more interaction with NPC's, characters are fleshed out and Handsome Jack is surely one of 2012's best villains. The story itself is actually pretty good and has a couple of cool twists but like a lot of RPG's, Borderlands 2 has a wealth of sidequests which can almost sidetrack you from the main plot. In fact, while I won't say that there's too much, they tend to be quite extensive as far as how long it takes to complete which can make the game not necessarily feel too "fat" but one that didn't need to feel that way.
One thing that wasn't immediately noticeable about the original game's cast was just how different each class felt in regards to their skill trees. While the basic "commando throws down turret" still applies, there's been more effort to make each tree feel like an actual spec rather than a small variant. For example, Zero the assassin has a tree devoted entirely to sniping with abilities and passives for larger critical hits and more damage the longer you're scoped in. Whereas another is entirely melee focused and being up close. While it's still "goes invisible and puts out clone" for every spec, your role in the fights and weapon choices will be just enough to make it feel more unique than the previous game. For instance, my main (the new Mechromancer) has 3 trees: shields and survivability, elemental damage and gaining what are called Anarchy stacks: more you have, more gun damage but less accurate. While she can still bring out a robot to help you fight enemies, what you're doing within the fight can differ based on spec and weapon loadouts.
And a class is rather naked without their guns and shields and that's where Borderlands 2 adds even more variety. Depending on manufacturers, guns will behave differently and even within the gun itself, what it actually does can be random. And the emphasis on elemental weapons is a bit more pronounced as shock, corrosive, flame and explosive all play a part bringing down certain enemies more efficiently. Same with the shields where have variants such as novas when depleted, an elemental effect being applied to melee attackers or high capacity shields but lower health. Also ammo and money no longer have to be picked up, you can just walk over em. Score one for progressive game design.
If there's one thing Borderlands 2 still didn't get quite right is in regards to loot. Ammo, money and guns are still the prizes however the guns themselves are not specific to what you see. For instance, making a character entirely shotgun based? Better be fast because playing online might have someone nab em all and use them or just sell them for cash. But that can be remedied by playing with friends which also got a nice boost. It uses Steamworks so yay. Matches can be searched for, starting a game is easier and as usual, a loot-driven game screams to be played with other people.
Playing the PC port of Borderlands was....underwhelming. A machine capable of running some pretty beautiful stuff and the game looked adequate but never really a step above the consoles. Borderlands 2 on PC however looks out-effing-standing with lots of video options, smoother interface and some pretty gorgeous visuals. I'm sure with the PhysX on, it would look even better but even maxed out, this game sure looks purdy. However the world itself can feel....lifeless. While the locations are way more varied this time around, they feel more like "levels" rather than places. Voice acting is spot-on and the music is almost unappreciated yet maybe it's because of the chaos onscreen, not as attention-drawing.
Fans of the series will fine nearly all of their complaints about the first one either dealt with or gone away with completely while newcomers will find one of the more engrossing loot-driven games around. Small grievances aside, if you're looking for an all-out "fun" game to mess around with playing along with friends, doesn't get better than this one.
