Shallow Depths

It must be time for a post about Borderlands.

I don't usually play first-person shooters. But after all the raving on Screen Play I decided to give Borderlands a go. Besides, add some character classes, levels and a talent tree and I'm much more in my comfort zone.

I have the PS3 version, for one simple reason: split-screen co-op. Yelling between rooms just isn't the same as settling down with my partner on the couch. What this actually involved, of course, was a romantic evening of him getting shot and me running around saving his arse. Plus glaring at him whenever he started to pick up a hick accent.

Okay, that's a slight exaggeration, but snipers do seem to die a bit.

I was surprised at how much fun Borderlands was, and that inclines me to overlook some problems. I experienced a recurring graphical bug where the sky would start flashing bright pink and orange. Often just on my side of the screen, so I'm sure the game hates me. So, I guess that was my trade-off for wanting the split-screen experience instead of the more standard online multiplayer. Inventory management and comparing weapons was very messy. But I loved the cel-shaded graphics, and I enjoyed setting people on fire or coating them in acid possibly a little too much.

The TV series Firefly has probably made me more receptive to futuristic/space western as a genre, and I liked to pretend sometimes I was on a rim world in that universe. No real connection, but I don't have a lot of other experiences that easily compare. Borderlands keeps things very simple story-wise, but I think they did a good job of the general feel of the place.

I'm actually very glad there was such a focus on the co-op elements in this game, because it meant the lacklustre ending didn't bother me quite as much. I was focusing less on the story and more on just having a fun time with the gameplay. But it was still very disappointing.

Next on my list of games Screenies talked about so much I feel I should play them: the original Bioshock.