Comments on: Borderlands: The Verdict

By: griff

griff — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:13:28 +0000

Yeah, I’m having problems with finding a balanced co-op game. I’m totally addicted to the game while my mates just tend to dabble so normally I’m overpowered and they’re feeling inadequate

By: DrJekyll

DrJekyll — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:29:54 +0000

To further explain my point, the leveling issues are not just about coop issues, but single player.
If you are level 15 and fighting level 20 baddies, you do 10% normal damage, which would already be little against a high-ranking foe. Don’t quote me on the numbers here, but it is pretty clear that there is something devious at work with the damage in these cases.
Now, add this to the fact that you get levels extremely quickly, 5 levels between allies is pretty common. If I am level 20, fighting level 23 badguys, and you are 15, the game is going to be extremely boring for you because you will do next to no damage to them. So you are now my loot collector. Inversely, if we decide to go after level 12 baddies, then I’m going to be bored shitless.

It’s not an amazingly huge deal, if the stars are aligned, but getting a well balanced coop game is a real effing pain sometimes. Oh well, off to bigger and better things.

By: Aerrol

Aerrol — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:23:58 +0000

While I agree that the UI could be improved and the online connection issues are…ridiculous, I do thoroughly enjoy the game. I have to agree with the review. Dr.Jekyll, I don’t see what you mean about the stars needing to be aligned to use your sweet guns. I’ve found plenty of awesome crazy-go-nuts blasters, and I have thoroughly enjoyed using them to pulverize my opponents. As for levelling issues, while I have noticed that, at lower levels, yes, being a few levels apart can make a huge deal, it matters far less at higher levels. As such, I haven’t found the level variance being any more of a barrier to multiplayer gameplay than similar group-focused RPGs (i.e. Diablo 2). I’ve managed to level with some friends to about level 34 at this point, with our levels of course being fairly varied, but we manage to get around together and still have fun, with no one being useless. My one big issue is the complete failure on Gearbox’s part for PC Online support. Those issues are what have made me tell other friends NOT to buy this game, unless they really like single player.

…Greg, what level were you when you found that rocket launcher?

By: Chris Evans

Chris Evans — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:02:49 +0000

I haven’t tried co-op, and I really doubt I will, I have heard the problems that people have been having with getting it to work, and stories such as yours Jekyll lend further credence to my thinking that co-op games are fine when like L4D or drop in/out without any RPG elements. Once RPG elements start, then you get problems.

By: DrJekyll

DrJekyll — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:26:02 +0000

Don’t get me wrong, I think this review is pretty spot on. But what use is their amazing rocket launcher firing rockets, or an alien lightning sniper’s rifle, or 7 million other really sweet guns, if the stars seem to have to be aligned to use them? Try and get one character from 1 to 30 with four buddies and tell me how well that goes. If you manage it, tell me what scheduling software you used. Before I turn into a real live troll, I was just wondering if any other people who’ve tried this game have experienced similar levelling issues.

By: Ben Borthwick

Ben Borthwick — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:07:17 +0000

In your case then Greg, you should totally add 11 to the score.

By: Chris Evans

Chris Evans — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:58:50 +0000

Rockets firing rockets, that does sound fun!

By: Greg Wild

Greg Wild — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:23:30 +0000

I found a rocket launcher whose rockets fire rockets.

Rockets firing rockets!

ROCKETS FIRING ROCKETS!

By: Chris Evans

Chris Evans — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:49:40 +0000

I haven’t played it much, got distracted by Torchlight amongst others, but from playing the early sections I have to say it is quite a fun little game which is undermined with that god-awful user interface. I think that is what puts me off what could otherwise be a very good game. Damn that UI!

By: DrJekyll

DrJekyll — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:45:09 +0000

borderline of awful… stupid tired people