Video games are hard. Well, not that hard – but they can be intimidating! Growing up, I found myself rebelling against my nerdy family and denying all the joys of gaming. I know how hard it can be to get into the gaming world. The lingo, the consoles, the games; it’s hard to know where to start when gaming is new territory.
Well, this is where I come in.
In this series of “reviews for kids who can’t play video games ‘good’ and want to learn to do other stuff ‘good’ too,” I will be sharing my insight on some games that I’ve played. Some are very simple games that don’t need much explaining, and other more complicated games will be explained in “new gamer” terms. Lets get started with Borderlands 2.
Borderlands 2 is the sequel to the 2009 Borderlands. This game is a very popular and critically acclaimed role-playing first-person shooter. If you haven’t heard of it, you might live under a rock.
When I first booted up Borderlands 2, I thought it was completely out of my skill range. I had played first-person shooters before, but this game was the first one that I actually enjoyed. I was completely put off first-person shooters when I first played Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. I know I’m not the only one who has a problem with that game, so I won’t divulge. Lets just say that by the end of my run with COD: BO2 I had sworn off first-person shooters forever. Thankfully, I picked Borderlands 2 up and I’m glad I did.
One reason why I think this game is great for new/casual gamers is that is it so lighthearted. This is a very fun and very funny game. The comedy makes it really enjoyable to play. Claptrap, a hilarious and eccentric robot that leads you through the game, is one of the main reasons I even started playing Borderlands 2. Even the villain is hilarious has some amazing lines. Handsome Jack plays a great bad guy and will throw witty, condescending remarks your way every chance he can get.
Not to mention Tiny Tina, who made me want to play a mechromancer, has the best lines in the entire game, like “I’m gunna eat so many crumpets, it’s gunna be a CRUMPOCALYPSE.” Discovering the fun tidbits of humor and nerd culture is the best part!
It’s not hard to get through this game. Leveling can be done quickly and easily through quests and you are only as strong as the newest gun you’ve found. Looting and selling items you find is very important in order to keep up with ammo and buy better guns. There are always better guns.
But lets talk about the guns, shall we? The guns are a huge part of the game, and rightfully so. Each gun has a variety of stats and elemental effects. From lightning infused snipers to corrosive machine guns and shotguns that set people on fire, getting a good gun for your class is very important, and really fun. I know that when I got a very rare gun within the first couple of levels (definitely not on purpose), the gloating that followed held more satisfaction than actually beating the game (which is still encouraged in this review because it’s awesome). Finding and buying guns throughout this game is a major plus in my book for any new gamer.
One major problem that I have with first-person shooters is the gun control. In some first-person shooters, I find it very hard to be able to aim accurately. This is usually a common concern for new gamers. With Borderlands 2, this isn’t a problem. Accuracy isn’t a focal point in the game, so aiming is simple, even with a sniper. This lets you focus on other things, like combination attacks. Sirens, one of the vault hunters you can play, often uses combination attacks with Phaselocks, where you can temporarily lock an enemy in another dimension. This momentarily leaves them stunned and floating in mid air, allowing you a safe window to attack.
Another huge draw is that the art in Borderlands 2 is absolutely amazing. Borderlands 2 utilizes a comic book style, cell shading, and vibrant colors to create a game that is very easy on the eyes. It is no wonder this game has been seen in cosplay all around the gaming world!
I strongly suggest that all casual gamers pick up Borderlands 2. I hope that it doesn’t intimidate you, because it is well worth picking up!
