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Pandora’s box is once again bulging with murderous marauders, screaming psychos and weird creatures.
Fans of “Borderlands” will definitely recognize the chaotic planet Pandora, its colorful denizens and its offbeat humor when they jump into “Borderlands 2.” But they’ll also find a few new twists that will make the return visit worthwhile.
In the M-rated game developed by Gearbox Software for 2K Games, you play as one of four adventurers. In the previous game, you could play as a soldier, brawler, sniper or nearly magical siren. This time around, your options might seem similar but most are actually quite different.
The most familiar is the commando, who’s very similiar to the original game’s soldier: good with standard weapons and can deploy a turret that’s incredibly handy on the battlefield. This time around, the turret has the abilities to transport itself and to launch nuclear weapons. Although the siren returns, her abilities are much enhanced. She can levitate enemies and expose them to companions’ fire or use her powers to heal friends or harm foes. She makes any fight much more manageable.
The Gunzerker is one of two truly new classes. His special ability is to dual-wield weapons — a sniper rifle in one hand and a rocket launcher in the other, for example. With the wide and wild selection of guns available, this is definitely a cool feature.
The final option is the assassin, who’s handy with a rifle but also good with a blade. It’s possible to pump a few bullets into a foe, activate your stealth power and then swoop in to deliver a devastating sword strike.
Gamers fond of the heroes from the first game will be pleased to bump into them again as nonplayer characters during the course of the story. This time around, they are leading the resistance to a nasty fellow named Handsome Jack, who runs the rapacious Hyperion Corp. and pretty much rules Pandora. As the story progresses, you will get to blast a lot of odd creatures and even odder humans, but the struggle against Jack provides a solid context for the mayhem as both sides try to be the first to reach a mysterious vault. Along the way, you’ll also learn some details that will shed new light on the original characters and some of the events in the first game.
Also returning are many of the crusty characters who added so much ornery humor to the original game. The redneck mechanic Scooter, the dangerously incompetent Dr. Zed and the ethically challenged gun dealer Marcus dispense plenty of offbeat comments as well as quirky missions — such as collecting revealing pictures of the sleazy barkeep Moxxi, who also happens to be Scooter’s mom.
Returning vault hunters will find the shoot-and-loot action very similar, too. You will be assaulted by countless screaming psychos and growling doglike scags, many of which will leave behind a small pile of weapons, money and ammo when they expire.
With all these familiar elements, the sequel might seem very familiar. However, a look below the surface will reveal changes that make the game even more enjoyable than the original.
Developers have tweaked lots of small things. For example, there seem to be more places to acquire vehicles, which means less plodding across the expansive landscape. There seem to be many more chances to heal yourself. You no longer have to push a button to pick up loot; just run over it and it’s yours. And if you do die, you respawn close to the action.
More significant changes have streamlined the inventory, quest and skill menus and, most significantly, enhanced cooperative play. Although “Borderlands 2” can be enjoyed solo, it is designed for co-op. As many as four players can team up to take on Handsome Jack. Although the same theory applied to the original game, it wasn’t particularly easy to join a game in progress and the action and objectives weren’t compatible if players were at different experience levels. The sequel permits players to drop in and out with ease. In addition, the enemies don’t feel quite as unbalanced if you join a friend who’s a few levels ahead of you.
Another change has increased the fun factor by adding a new set of challenges and rewards. Accomplishing certain feats earns “badass points,” which can be applied toward different enhancements to your character’s attributes, such as the damage caused by your weapons or the time it takes to recharge your shields.
All these changes are more evolutionary than revolutionary, but they make the game play much smoother and the action less repetitive.
Once again, the game uses a cell-shaded art style, which is perfectly in sync with the outlandish characters who populate Pandora.
The game earns its mature rating for violence, exploding bodies and some strong language.
Bottom line: “Borderlands 2” might seem like a rehash of its predecessor, but it’s much deeper and even more fun.
Platforms: Xbox 360 (tested on), PlayStation 3, PC
Online: www.borderlands2.com