Borderlands 2 (2012) (PC) (Gearbox Software)
4Have I mentioned that I kinda like Borderlands? Only a thousand times already? Well, then let's say it once more - with feeling - 'cause I just *loove* me some Borderlands! The original game's structural flaws.were numerous, but the co-op-friendly (though totally solo-able) first-person shooter/action RPG had an ingenious forward-thinking design premise, genuinely satisfying moment-to-moment gameplay and more personality than a million Call of Duties stacked on top of each all the way to the moon.
Now, Gearbox is back with the inevitable sequel which promises to be bigger, better and dumber, in all the right ways. The game was finally released here in Europe a couple of days after the US launch, and my first impression is that the sequel includes a number of welcome little improvements in terms of gameplay and interface, and that it also also looks really sharp. While the UE3-powered engine hasn't made a quantum leap forward or anything, the overall quality of both textures and various effects (PhysX and reflections!) has definitely improved, and it's likewise refreshing to immediately see more variety in the environments this time around.