Borderlands : A New Beginning

[jms493]

Yeah I played through the whole story with 1 friend from level 1 to level 36........never played offline but we went at our own pace.

[jms493]

Background

Borderlands is set on the planet of Pandora. Lured by its apparent vast deposits of minerals, several colonization ships journey to the planet and create a society there. However, they soon discover that there is little else of value on the planet except for the presence of alien ruins. Those who are rich enough to do so left the planet, leaving the rest of the population to scavenge for themselves. While some isolated settlements were formed, much of the rest of the colonists became bandits, living out in the barren wastelands or trashheaps across the planet. Further investigation of the alien artifacts leads to the discovery of "The Vault" – a supposed treasure trove of alien artifacts, technology, and of insurmountable wealth – but those that had discovered it were wiped out by a protective force, leaving few clues as to its location or purpose but creating a myth of its marvelous treasures.

Storyline

 

Borderlands begins approximately 200 years after the discovery of the Vault; seeking the Vault, several fortune seekers, including the player, are drawn to Pandora. After arriving at the town of Fyrestone, the player sees an image of a mysterious woman, the "Guardian Angel", aware they are here to seek the Vault, and directs them to follow her instructions. The Angel eventually leads them to collecting one of the several artifacts needed to open the vault, causing Patricia Tannis, an archaeologist/scientist, to contact the player and urging them to collect the other two Vault keys, at the same time revealing that the Vault opens every 200 years, and the time of the next opening is approaching. At the same time, Commandant Steele of the Crimson Lance, a well-outfitted mercenary force in the employ of one of the game's several mega-corporations, threatens to declare martial law over the planet and demands the vault keys.

While the player is able to secure the second and third Vault keys without incident, they find that the final vault key is not where it is expected. Steele contacts the players, and reveals that Tannis had betrayed them, that there are in fact only three keys, and proceeds to cut off the planet's ECHO network, disabling further communication with the Guardian Angel. The player infiltrates the Crimson Lance's headquarters and finds Tannis locked up; she claims she had no choice but to betray the player under force, but urges him/her to restart the ECHO network and to prevent Steele and the Crimson Lance from using the key. After restoring the network, the Guardian Angel urges the players to hurry and stop Steele. The player finds as they approach the Vault that the Crimson Lance are in combat with alien Guardians; after bypassing both forces, the player finally arrives at the Vault, too late to stop Steele from using the key. However, when the Vault opens, Steele and her guard are wiped out by a giant monster that is attempting to escape the vault. The Guardian Angel explains that the monster is called the Destroyer, imprisoned in the Vault by the alien Eridians long ago to prevent it from destroying the universe, with the Guardians present to prevent anyone from opening it. The player is able to defeat the monster, sealing the Vault for another 200 years.

The final cut-scene reveals that the Guardian Angel is actually a Hyperion satellite in orbit over Pandora. In addition, the Claptrap at the beginning level suddenly shorts out, its normal blue eyelight turning red, and reveals its identity as an interplanetary ninja assassin.

[Twigg4075]

I don't even remember that last part.

The one thing that I do remember about the story that made no sense, and Giant Bomb has talked about at length, is how can the Guardian Angel talk to you prior to getting the comm link up? It's a huge plot hole in an already forgettable story.

But let's face it, the story is not this games strong point.

[SethMode]

One thing that I didn't get was:

 

Why would the Guardian Angel get us to go get the keys to begin with!? If the thing is trapped in the vault to KEEP IT FROM DESTROYING THE UNIVERSE why would she want us to collect the keys, get to Tannis and open the vault, just so it can close again!? Did I miss something? Shouldn't we just have snagged the keys and hid them somewhere? Or shouldn't she say "Look, if you open the vault this big fucking thing is going to try to eat your face and then swallow the universe, so you probably don't want to."?

It's sad when a 3 hour or so DLC has a better story than your actual game.

[Twigg4075]

Yeah, some Guardian Angel she is.

[TeflonDonny]

I got the urge to play this again so if anybody wants to play co-op on PS3 hit me up. I'm starting from scratch because I played on 360 the first time around.

[T.Dot]

Just got into Krom's Canyon now where I gotta kill Krom and get back the Vault Key for Tannis.

I'm a level 27 Titan with Brick and I love this game off right now.

BTW best part of the game so far has been the one audio tape you pick up in the Middle of Nowhere where Tannis is like "I might this fellow named Crazy Earl, he seemed nice so I gave him the Vault Key. I also gave him all my underwear."

I lul'd hard.
Actually i've been luling at all her audio tapes especially the ones in which she talks about her 'relationship' with the recorder, lol

[Twigg4075]

This second play through is fun. It's weird though. The regular enemies are just slightly below your level (I'm almost 43 and most enemies seem to be 36-38) and they are pretty tough. The bosses are crazy easy though.

[TeflonDonny]

I think I read somewhere that the game was designed so that you would be around lvl 32-35 when you started your second playthrough.

[Sharkweather]

Just got this on PS3, so if anyone wants to team up or whatever you do in this game, let me know.

[Rylo]

I kind of want to try this game along with Darksiders, but I don't know how it will be.

[T.Dot]

I kind of want to try this game along with Darksiders, but I don't know how it will be.

one big difference: darksiders is shit and this game is tits

[Sharkweather]

Played a solid three hours tonight, really fun game.

I'm starting out with Lilith and probably going more the Assassin route. Got up to level 7 but calling it a night.

[T.Dot]

just beat it, good game imo but ending was bizzarre as fuck

[hoodyallen]

Buying it tonight!