Borderlands

"...a long-lasting experience that manages to stay fresh throughout...  Dan Ryckert, Game Informer
"...co-op play is integrated seamlessly...  GameTrailers.com
"Borderlands is a excellent title, which is a must have for fans of both FPS and RPG games.  Dan Pearson, WonderWallWeb
"...a long-lasting experience that manages to stay fresh throughout...  Dan Ryckert, Game Informer Magazine
"...an excellent title, which is a must have for fans...  Dan Pearson, WonderWallWeb.com
"The bottom line is that this game is near-perfect and if you love looting then this is the game for you.  Extreme Gamer

IGN.com 8 of 10
It's that undeniable impulse that pokes at the pleasure centers of the brain when you're looking at that sleek and impossibly flat television at the front of the electronics store. How much better and brighter would life be if only you could bring it home? You consider what's in your wallet, what kind of space rests between credit balance and limit, maybe for a second what your family might think, and perhaps more importantly how jealous your friends would be. It's what drives economies that thrive on consumerism, and that urge to snatch up glittering new toys is what keeps the action energized in Gearbox's Borderlands, a first-person shooter title that caters to the thief, hero, and adventurer lurking in all of us...Gearbox's Borderlands is without a doubt a slick, satisfying hybrid title for those who know what to expect. If you're a shooter fan curious what the world of Pandora is all about, then you should know that this is a product built on a foundation of statistical progression, character customization, and one that holds item acquisition high above interesting quest structure and narrative. At the same time, it plays like a shooter, requiring twitch skills to dominate the droves of enemies that stand in between you and your search for a mysterious vault. With the opportunity for up to four to join together for co-operative play, four character classes, a dizzying array of firearms, around 20 or so hours of content for a single playthrough and the option to restart with stronger enemies and loot, there's plenty of content here. It's a thoroughly enjoyable journey that offers a steady stream of rewards that remains convenient and accessible. It's something action role-playing game fans looking for an experience more up-close and brutal than genre entries of the third-person variety should have a blast with, and one of the more memorable products of 2009. - Charles Onyett

ImpulseGamer.com 7 of 10
The game takes place on Pandora a sparsely populated planet that is a barren wasteland. The alluring factor that brings people to this un-hospitable place is the story of an ancient vault placed there eons ago by an extraordinarily advanced alien race. It is said that the vault contains great treasures of wealth and power. The main occupation on the planet is treasure hunter...That being said any form of civilized government has disappeared and there are now small outpost of mostly mercenaries and bandits who prefer to shoot first and ask questions later. There are a few safe havens located in the borderland most of which are merchant run. Dealing with these merchants is done with not only money, but favors as well. You enter their world as one of four mercenaries with the goal of trying to find the alien vault for yourself. Will you be the one to find the vault? Will you take friends to help your cause? Will you go in alone and hope for the best?...In Borderlands you have to choose one of 4 mercenaries. Each one has their own unique gifts and fighting styles to choose from. Most players can find the one that best fits their gaming style...Roland-Once a Crimson Lance mercenary he now takes the role of soldier. As a soldier he prefers the use of rifles and shotguns. His special ability allows him to deploy an auto turret that will lay down death to his enemies and provide him and his teammates cover fire...After all the time I spent in this game I was only able to come up with one negative aspect, that is the load time between areas. I timed it and it takes about a minute and a half of load time when you move from one area to the next. Each area is so large that you dont mind too much really..... because you spend so much time in the area it is worth it. - Andrew Brian Lewis