Since its 2009 debut, The Borderlands series has blasted onto the gaming scene as one of the most beloved ARPGs of the modern era. This has been spurred by the franchise's thrilling gunplay, co-op features, and endless loot—which includes tons of cool weapons.
Compared to modern efforts in the franchise, which are a degree flashier and more robust, the original game can tend to look dated and crude. However, when viewed on its own merits, this groundbreaking looter-shooter stands the test of time in many avenues; perhaps more so than most games of its era.
8 The Zany And Memorable Characters
As is the case in film and television, strong characters can help set the stage for fun, charming, and emotionally gripping moments. These qualities prove timeless—as illustrated by the original Borderlands' rag-tag cast of antiheroes and villains.
Borderlands' original lineup of Vault Hunters—Roland, Brick, Lilith, and Mordecai—each have their own traits that grant a unique appeal and allow them to shine. This holds true not only for their skillset and moves, but also for their personalities as well.
There's the game's tender moral core, the Siren Angel, and her counterpart, the hardened antagonist Commandant Steele. And who could forget the wacky catch-a-ride caricature Scooter? Then, of course, there's the iconic robot, Claptrap, who offers exposition and quests in his distinctly zany fashion.
7 Quasi-Apocalyptic Setting And Premise
The first Borderlands seems rather ahead of its time in retrospect. These days, a lot of entertainment media is rife with the types of motifs and settings Gearbox so boldly conveys; anarchic wastelands, warring tribes, and cool antiheroes residing in a rather dismal future.
One need only look at the popularity of films like Mad Max: Fury Road and The Walking Dead for examples. This also looks to come full circle, as the announcement of a Borderlands film has garnered hype amongst action movie fans and gamers alike.
Despite its age, Borderlands' epic, edgy nature, gritty themes—and a zany sense of humor—all feel quite modern.
6 The Sense Of Humor
Hilarious gags and a great sense of humor can go a long way in creating timeless art and entertainment. Just look at film classics such as Airplane, for instance. This doesn't imply Borderlands reaches those comedic heights—or frankly, even those of the 2012 sequel. Yet, the game's prominent silliness is effective throughout. It sets the stage for an amusing experience, which doesn't take itself too seriously while juxtaposing the over-the-top gore.
To compare, fans have pointed to Borderlands 3's tendency to try too hard to be funny, leaning on pop-culture trends and modern slang; ironically feeling more dated already. The original, however, uses subtlety to its advantage when it comes to humor, keeping a more general tone of zaniness throughout. This adds to the game's entertainment value and stands the test of time.
5 Addictive Co-Op Play
Well-crafted multiplayer modes can have a lasting impact, as games like Super Smash Bros. Melee demonstrate, and it's no different here. One of Borderlands' biggest draws was and is its gripping co-op multiplayer, which allows gamers to team up and share some laughs as well as some loot.
While campaign modes don't typically inspire return trips, Gearbox Software amps up the depth, replayability, and fun factor by throwing more players into the mix. With increased chaos, and added dynamics that involve teamwork and coordination, the experience is just more exciting.
This feature is quite seamless and well-integrated given its age, especially when it comes to online play. Running and gunning with a few extra players really dials up the frenzied action, amping up the arcade sensibility that Borderlands already does so well.
4 Tons Of Guns (And Collectibles)
One of gaming's big appeals as a whole is the sense of accomplishment through progression and ample rewards showered upon players. Borderlands excels in this area, with its vast, diverse lineup of satisfying weapons and loot.
The aptly-tagged "looter-shooter" entices gamers to complete the 22-hour campaign and explore the several hours of sidequests and scavenger hunts. With countless guns and grenades to play around with, it's hard to resist taking a deeper plunge into the expansive landscapes of Pandora. After all, there's always that chance players will stumble upon coveted, high-powered guns like the Revolution or Ogre.
3 Extra Content And Remasters Carry It Into The Modern Era
With plenty of open-world locales to explore, hordes of foes to slay, and a sky-high level cap of over 60, there's a lot of content crammed into the core game alone. And, if this weren't enough, Gearbox keeps the Vault Hunting fun going with various DLC add-ons, including the fan-favorite Secret Armory of General Knoxx. These extras bring awesome new weapons, missions, and characters into the fold.
And, while it perhaps didn't need it, the original Borderlands has seen new life with a remaster—by way of the robust, modernized Game of the Year Edition. This version polishes the visuals and offers several quality of life refinements—in addition to SHIFT Code support to keep players coming back for more.
2 Solid, Satisfying Mechanics
When it comes to games that can withstand the weathering of time, it really boils down to the gameplay; and Gearbox delivers here. Much of this gripping experience stems from the rock-solid mechanics, which are both accessible and nuanced. This extends to the interface, which is both streamlined and detailed.
Sharp, responsive, and tactile as they are—firing with Borderlands' range of weapons is just fun to do and feels great. Each weapon feels and acts fairly distinctly, keeping the experience fresh. At the same time, most of these guns prove reliable and intuitive mechanically. A few bugs and spotty areas aside, Borderlands 1 still holds up in a firefight, even when squaring off against some more modern examples.
1 The Cel-Shaded Visuals
Many would agree that gameplay reigns over graphics and art style—and while this may be true, visuals that are effective and compelling can go a long way. In an era where gritty realism and monochromatic color schemes were prominent, 2009's Borderlands dared to be different.
Gearbox and its team of artists really helped pioneer a new style, with cel-shaded graphics and cartoony themes decorating this rather mature content. The game's stylized approach would prove to age like a fine wine over time, compared to some of the blockier, more muddled efforts of similar games.