Each character has their own digital backpack to store items not equipped, as the game progresses these slots can be upgraded to include more loot. The near infinite range of weapons is achieved from a random content generator, which is also transferred to the terrain and the enemies. Other than the main landscape features, everything else will be generated at random giving every player his or her own unique experience – each time the game is booted up. The enemies will be unpredictable, as you won't know what weapon attributes a specific monster or level boss has. For example, two enemies that look the same could have completely different methods of attacking and or weapons. As with Fallout 3 many gamers have been asking whether or not they have to walk these vast lands? The answer, thankfully, is no; players will have various vehicles to transport their character and co-horts from area to area. Vehicles can take up-to two players at the same time, one driving and one controlling the weapons; unlike the weapons there are not a mass number of vehicles (but both can blow shit up).
The Outrunner is a beach buggy style vehicle that will be able to run on tracks wheels and also be able to hover. The second vehicle, called a Salt Racer, will be a high-speed vehicle perfect for travel across the salt flats in various areas of the world. There is a vehicle editor for changing aspects of your ride, including the already mentioned track type, vehicle paint job and weapon layout. Borderlands is not just a single player. Players will be able to play in a variety of modes, including, 4 player co-op, Split screen and PvP. Although, Gearbox, have said that the game has been built for 4 player co-op as the main game mode. In co-op 4 player your enemies AI difficulty and numbers will increase/decrease in relation to the skill levels of the 4 players. A drop in, drop out system has been implemented to facilitate the co-op play, with a match making system and the ability to let anyone to join your game. All items and skills will be transferable to whatever game mode you want to play bringing some consistency in this randomly generated world. The co-op gets a bit difficult and hectic as the game’s AI try’s to adjust itself to the number of human players in game, causing more than a few frustrating multiplayer experiences.
The campaign alone is very long and feels completely different depending on which of the four character types you choose to play with (allowing for lots of replayability). Complimenting all the action is a visual style reminiscence of the recent Prince Of Persia game, keeping the game graphics as close to the original concept art as possible. We really enjoyed the comic style look (think cell-shaded); with its bold black line edges and colorful inlay; it’s always good to see developers looking for new and different art directions to take the graphics. Borderlands is being developed by Gearbox Software using the Unreal Engine 3 engine at the heart, but with many enhancements developed specifically for this game. Gearbox has been around for about ten years and are known for developing Half life expansions, the Brothers In Arms series and co-developing Halo: Combat Evolved ports. Borderlands is now in stores around the world with additional downloadable content already announced. Whether you’re a FPS, RPG or racing fan, this is a must-play game and with multiple different gameplay types, it’s guaranteed to keep you busy for an endless number of hours.
