The second we laid eyes on the first gameplay footage of Borderlands 2 last August at PAX Prime, we knew we were in for something special.  Gearbox Software not only includes all the components that made the original “role-playing shooter” such a vast success, but also made incredible pushes forward in other areas.  Along with literally a “bazillioner” guns included (they even stacked them up in one part of the demo to show us how much was in there), they threw in new characters, bigger outdoor environments and a whole lot of trouble.  And the best part, we’re gonna be partaking in this madness during the first month of fall.

Like the original game, Borderlands 2 is dubbed a “role-playing shooter” because of the way you can level up.  Each battle brings experience points, no matter how big or small the enemies you face.  From there, you can apply said points to your character by heading to automated kiosks and purchasing items or properly leveling up, becoming even more powerful in the process.  As you gain levels, you also get to branch out using a pre-set skill tree, improving your certain talents and becoming a more effective hunter in the process.

You’re going to need all the skills you can get, too, because the game’s main villain, Handsome Jack, isn’t likely to just lean back and let you coast into town.  He’s a vicious mother who’s taken all the credit for the events that occurred in the original game, when the original four bounty hunters located the Eridian Vault.  As such, he’s gained power in Pandora with a new Hyperion Corporation, and vows to “take out the trash” by wiping out colonization and industrializing the place.  As a hunter who has gained popularity during one of his recent arena tournaments, he sees you as a threat and leaves you for dead in a tundra.  Big mistake.  Now you’re packing guns, and seeking revenge as you seek a way to get to the moon (where his base is located) and shut him down for good.

Now, as I mentioned, the four characters from the original game aren’t the ones returning this time around, though they will make appearances over the course of the sequel.  Nope, this time you have four new characters to choose from.  You’ve got Salvador, a dual-wielding “Gunzerker” who resembles the powerful Brick in many ways; Maya, a slinky female with spiritual powers along the same lines as Lilith; a kick-ass soldier by the name of Axton, and a mysterious masked assassin by the name of Zero, who’s quick with a blade.  Choosing any of these characters will get you accustomed to their skills and powers nearly right away, and they grow even bigger and better as you level up with them.  (And yes, fans, before you get concerned, Claptrap definitely makes the trip.  In fact, he takes up a good part of the debut trailer being, well, Claptrap.)

While this may some familiar, Gearbox has implemented some excellent changes for the sequel.  The inclusion of dynamic quests – and whether you complete them or not – can actually leave a change on how your character progresses.  For example, if someone takes too long completing their mission and someone dies from it as a result, this could leave a morbid feeling of dread hanging over them, making them angrier and progress in their skill tree in a different way.  The inclusion of a new weapons system is also very cool, as you can modify everything from secondary gear to firing power to how much ammo it can carry, depending on which one of the “bazillion” guns you pick up.  (No, we’re not kidding, that’s how many guns Gearbox says is in the game.)  Finally, the AI is reworked, so don’t expect enemies to simply line up in your sights and take damage.  They mean business since they come straight from Handsome Jack’s army.

About the Author

Robert Workman

Senior Writer/Editor

Robert has years of experience in the video game industry, writing for such sites as AOL GameDaily, PlanetXbox360 and Comic Book Resources.  He can also outdrink you any day of the week.  And twice on Sunday.  Follow him at www.twitter.com/thedcd.