Every Borderlands Game, Ranked

As a die-hard fan of the Borderlands franchise, I’ve spent countless hours looting, shooting, and laughing my way through each game, from the original to the latest installment. But if there’s one game that truly stole my heart (and wallet), it’s undoubtedly Borderlands 2!

While comedy is frequently found in fields like movies, its impact and high-quality presence in video games hasn’t been as significant or consistent.

Indeed, the Borderlands series stands out as a beacon of satirical expression within the realm of interactive entertainment. Moreover, it is widely recognized for its contribution to the “loot shooting” sub-genre due to its exceptional blending of first-person shooter (FPS) mechanics with role-playing game (RPG) elements.

Gearbox Software’s masterpiece shines when played both cooperatively and individually, largely due to an enchanting universe teeming with content suitable for numerous sequels.

Currently, this franchise stands out as a major player within the video game industry and happens to be one of my personal favorites. Here, I’m sharing with you a ranked list of all Borderlands games, starting with the least preferred and moving up to the best.

7 New Tales from the Borderlands

The Weakest Entry

Every Borderlands Game, Ranked

In the realm of superfluous follow-ups, unfortunately, New Tales from the Borderlands finds itself among them. This game attempts to carry on the achievements of its forerunner, yet fails to fully live up to its potential.

Following Telltale’s groundbreaking work on Tales from the Borderlands, Gearbox attempted to build upon that formula with a new title. However, despite being enjoyable, it falls short of delivering the level of innovation and captivation that we’ve come to expect from the series.

I wouldn’t call it the best Borderlands game, but rather the least impressive one among them. It has likable characters and a decent sense of humor, yet it struggles to shine in other aspects such as gameplay, storyline, or replayability.

6 Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands

Fun But Lukewarm

As a fan of the Borderlands series, I must admit Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands disappointed me a little.

As a gamer, I find this game enjoyable, but it lacks the engaging storyline and compelling characters that make New Tales from the Borderlands shine. Simply put, the narrative and character development could use some more fire.

From a gameplay perspective, blending elements similar to Dungeons & Dragons works remarkably well, introducing fresh ideas that harmonize nicely with the established formula of the series.

As the story progresses, it tends to lose momentum, becoming rather monotonous due to repetition. Moreover, it lacks the well-developed characters and humorous elements that are typically found in other installments within the series.

It’s a very fun titlebuta step below the quality of the main Borderlands installments.

5 Borderlands

A Great Start

Beyond just being an excellent video game, the original Borderlands marked the start of something extraordinary. Its unique and unforeseen qualities set it apart from any other game in the series.

Of course, its first-timer condition also explains the room for improvement it presents, as it has rough gunplay and a mission and level design that can become annoying.

Despite some potential beginner errors that Gearbox Software may have made during the development process, the comedy, characters, and artistic style are so engaging that they easily overshadow these initial flaws.

Indeed, I must confess, Borderlands has proven to be a fantastic onramp into the world of First-Person Shooters (FPS) for me. Moreover, it stands as a remarkable achievement, carving out a unique niche within the gaming landscape by birthing an entirely new subgenre.

4 Tales from the Borderlands

An Exemplary Spin-off

In the unforeseen resurgence of point-and-click adventure games around the 2010s, Telltale Games seized the opportunity with “Tales from the Borderlands”, an exceptional spin-off worthy of a superior follow-up series.

The creator skillfully wove an amusing and captivating tale, enriching it with well-known characters and exploring the intricate details of the universe that the franchise had previously established.

If you prioritize gameplay over everything else, I wouldn’t advise it. However, if you can overlook its technical shortcomings, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself quite smitten with it.

Without a doubt, it can be boldly stated that this is arguably Telltale’s most polished masterpiece, not just due to its superior quality, but also because of the significant impact it has on the series to which it belongs.

Despite other distinguished pieces produced by the same studio, it’s quite extraordinary, even daring to suggest this, but such high-quality work is truly noteworthy.

3 Borderlands 3

The Ultimate Refinement

Remarkably immersive, Borderlands 3 stands out among top-tier cooperative first-person shooter games. It delivers an exceptional gaming journey by fully embodying what makes the series unique.

Apart from the antagonists, who may not be as strong compared to other main characters, the game represents a significant enhancement across the board. Its improved shooting mechanics, character mobility, mission design, formidable boss battles, and enticing loot are particularly impressive when compared to previous installments in the series.

As a gamer, I’ve got to be honest – this game isn’t as high up on my list as some others. From a storytelling standpoint, it tends to play it safe in numerous ways. Plus, there have been (and unfortunately, still are) quite a few technical glitches that I’ve had to deal with.

During the gameplay, it seemed as though I was experiencing an even stronger resemblance to the Borderlands series. Don’t get me wrong, that’s fantastic, but considering its dynamic history, I had hoped that Gearbox Software might take a more daring approach this time around.

2 Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

I’m Not Kidding

Despite the general consensus within our circle, I confidently stand by my belief that Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is a truly exceptional game, and I’m more than willing to champion it.

As a devoted gamer, I can confidently say that delving deeper into the enigmatic character Handsome Jack elevates him to standout status among gaming icons. His unforgettable persona is etched in video game history, and the game skillfully unfolds his captivating evolution.

If you take into account its vertical structure due to zero gravity, impressive environment, iconic moments, and intrigue it brought to a previously straightforward storyline, then it becomes clear why it’s such an excellent follow-up.

As a devoted fan, I acknowledge the flaws that have led to its reviews, yet I hold the creative endeavors of “Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel” in higher esteem compared to the streamlined, linear experience offered by “Borderlands 3.

1 Borderlands 2

The Perfect Sequel

Among many franchises worldwide, few exhibit as pronounced a preference for identifying their top game as Borderlands. Unquestionably, the franchise’s crowning achievement is evidently Borderlands 2.

It’s challenging to find a game that excels in all aspects as much as Borderlands 2 does when it comes to Gearbox Software’s standout features. In terms of gameplay, characters, plot, humor, visual and audio design, and evoking emotions, there’s no doubt that it stands out as the pinnacle of the series.

The title builds upon what made the original “Borderlands” engaging and raises the bar, intensifying the relentless action to its peak and setting a standard across the entire genre.

Indeed, Borderlands 2 can be regarded as a flawless sequel that stands among the greatest games ever made. Labeling it as the finest in the Borderlands franchise is simply stating the evident truth, for no other escapade within this series offers the same level of hilarity and enjoyment that this game does.

2024-12-04 16:39