Borderlands 2

A monster from "Borderlands 2"

Sometimes I wonder what the world would look like if there was no such thing as sequels.

Would such a world cultivate more original, creative ideas?

Or would that same world just fall prey to parodies?

It's an interesting issue to think about. Either way, sequels have been around for a long time, and sometimes they even surprise us by being even better than the original.

Whether Borderlands 2 will be such a game has yet to be determined, but considering the hype going around the Internet a lot of gamers are hoping that it will be just as good - if not better - than the original Borderlands.


Borderlands 2, like its predecessor, is a role-playing shooter, an action game developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K games. According to IGN, "Borderlands 2 is the epic sequel to the ultimate four-player role-playing shooter loot fest. Combining incention and evolution, Borderlands 2 features all-new characters, skills, enviroments, enemies, weapons and equipment, which come together in an ambitiously crafted story. Players will reveal secrets, and escalate mysteries of the Borderlands universe as they adventure across the unexplored new areas of Pandora."

One thing I find incredibly interesting (or maybe annoying, I'm not sure yet) is that "Pandora" seems to be a favorite name for a lot of fictional places. Pandora was the name of the Na'vi planet in Avatar, for instance, but I digress...

According to the game's official IGN wiki, Borderlands 2 sports five distinct classes for players to choose from: Gunzerker, Assassin, Siren, Commando, and Mechromancer. All of these classes are very similar to the ones offered in the original Borderlands, and playable characters from the first game (Lilith, Brick, Mordecai, and Roland) all return as non-player characters (or NPCs). For more information on the classes, characters, vehicles, and equipment available in this sequel, you can visit this link: http://www.ign.com/wikis/borderlands-2

There are three versions of the game that will be available for purchase on the same day.

The Standard version is, of course, standard.

The Deluxe Vault Hunter Edition (one of two special edition packages) includes a Marcus Kincaid bobblehead, a copy of Inside the Valt: The Art and Design of Borderlands 2, a collectible sticker set, a map of Pandora, a digital comic download code, and downloadable in-game content. This set is selling for $100 U.S. dollars. Be aware that this particular version is reportedly on back-order from most suppliers, but I haven't checked to see if this is still the case.

The Ultimate Loot Chest (the second, and more expensive, special edition package) includes all of the items listed in the Deluxe Vault Hunter Edition, plus a collectible scaled replica of the red loot chests found throughout Pandora, a steelbook case, a Creatures of Pandora wide-format ID chart, a lithograph postcard set, field notes from Sir hammerlock, a cloth map of Pandora, and a numbered certificate of authenticity. This version is selling for $150 U.S. dollars

DISCLAIMER!: Borderlands 2 has been rated M for Mature by the ESRB for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol.

Borderlands 2, in all three editions, will be available for purchase on September 18, 2012. You can also pre-order through stores such as GameStop or through online retailers like Amazon and eBay. The game will be available for the XBox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, and possibly the PlayStation Vita.




 - Edessa, signing off