First Borderlands 2 details revealed

The first details about Borderlands 2 are revealed in this month's issue of Game Informer.

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As promised, following last-week's announcement that Borderlands 2 is in the works, some new information about post-apocalyptic shooter sequel has been revealed. Rather than returning to planet Pandora for another projectile-filled adventure with Mordecai, Lilith, Brick, and Roland, the article reveals that there will be four new characters to choose from. Salvador, the dwarven Gunzerker who can dual-wield any two weapons is a prime example. The motley crew from the first game will, however, make non-playable appearances.

Enthusiast site Gamenyusu has cobbled together a large list of bullet-points summarizing the new tidbits revealed in the article by Game Informer, noting that the artificial intelligence for both enemies and non-playable-characters will be improved in the sequel. NPC's won't simply be rooted to the same location all the time, and will engage the player in interactive conversations. Borderlands 2 also promises more varied enemy-types which will interact with each other more intelligently in combat.

The series metallic mascot, Claptrap, seems to be returning as well, along with the 3-tiered skill tree for player progression. As one would expect, vehicles also return to the wasteland, but co-oppers will be pleased to note that at least one of the new rides is a four-seater. No word whether or not the four-seater is the same vehicle that debuted in the premium Borderlands DLC "The Secret Armory of General Knoxx."

Borderlands 2 will also introduce a multi-purpose element called Eridium, which factors in as both currency and as a stat-enhancer for weapons and vehicles. Speaking of weapons, there won't be any carry-over from the first game. A variety of in-game weapon manufacturers will provide their own weapon enhancements, decals, styling, and colors. Pickups that provide temporary buffs will also add to the gun stew.

Borderlands 2 is planned for a 2013 release, and we'll be sure to keep an eye out for more details as they become available.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    August 8, 2011 12:45 PM

    Jeff Mattas posted a new article, First Borderlands 2 details revealed.

    The first details about Borderlands 2 are revealed in this month's issue of Game Informer.

    • reply
      August 8, 2011 12:46 PM

      just hook it to my veins

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      August 8, 2011 12:59 PM

      Cool stuff for sure can not wait, but holly shit --> 2013 that's a long ways off no wonder they did not want the info leaked yet, too soon.

      Still I am happy the cats out of the bag.

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      August 8, 2011 1:01 PM

      [deleted]

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      August 8, 2011 1:07 PM

      disappointed they replaced the characters instead of just adding new ones. they seemed to cover all the bases in terms of gameplay... so maybe they're getting a little more gimmicky with the classes? or more generic classes with added twists? the dual wielding isn't too major. i guess we'll have to wait and see.

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      August 8, 2011 1:15 PM

      So, I'm guessing this means no stat carry over from the original.

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      August 8, 2011 1:16 PM

      I think the question everyone wants answered is "How many bazillions of guns will there be?"

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        August 8, 2011 1:22 PM

        hundreds of bazillions. and they will all be useless, except for one you picked up like 20 levels ago. and then that one will be replaced by one that does 1 more damage and uses the exact same graphics except its purple instead of yellow.

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        August 8, 2011 1:24 PM

        [deleted]

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        August 8, 2011 1:51 PM

        No one will care, because most of the differences will be trivial.

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          August 8, 2011 1:54 PM

          Also the stats of the guns will only be partially visible so it will be impossible to compare them.

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        August 8, 2011 6:59 PM

        Hopefully they keep Randy away from the calculator this time.

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      August 8, 2011 1:19 PM

      "Skill tree will be same traditional 3 branch system as used in first game"

      That's disappointing, I wanted a deeper skill tree.

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        August 8, 2011 1:31 PM

        They could still be deeper, that's just talking about the breadth. I mean, specializing in one of three areas is about the same as WoW or the like.

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          August 8, 2011 1:33 PM

          That's true I suppose, hopefully the tree is a bit more interesting than the first.

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      August 8, 2011 1:25 PM

      I was hoping they would do more with the skill system. There is a huge lack of active skills in the first game. Passive skills can be pretty boring.

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        August 8, 2011 1:28 PM

        If you follow the source trail (or read the GI article...) you'll see:

        BL2's skill tree will maintain the 3 Branch system and have more defined abilities rather than simple stat boosts. It is unknown how many skills will occupy each branch.

        http://forums.gearboxsoftware.com/showthread.php?t=128325

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          August 8, 2011 1:31 PM

          That's pretty cool. I think Gearbox will do a good enough job with this game that I will play it and be satisfied.

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          August 8, 2011 4:40 PM

          Oh, great!

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      August 8, 2011 2:48 PM

      Adjustable and better default FoV (that doesn't break during sprinting/driving), and I'll get it.

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        August 8, 2011 4:44 PM

        Now that I finally joined the legions of widescreen monitor users (upgrading from my old 5:4 monitor) I heartily agree.

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        August 8, 2011 4:46 PM

        Is there a mod for the first one that fixes the FOV?

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          August 8, 2011 4:49 PM

          Yep. You can also bind it so that it will reset back to the wider FOV when driving/sprinting. It's such a minor complaint when there are larger issues with the overall game (Gamespy being one of them)

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            August 8, 2011 5:03 PM

            It's when you stop sprinting that it resets. How do you fix that? And pushing a button bound to the FoV increase while driving only results in 1/4 second FoV that immediately goes back to the default value.

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              August 8, 2011 5:06 PM

              It's been a while since I played it but I remember you'd sprint, it would get messed up, but sprinting again "reset" the FOV to the mod setting

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                August 8, 2011 5:09 PM

                I have the fix bound to movement buttons, but you can't just cease sprinting, you have to stop and then move again to reset it. Better than nothing but not very good.

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                  August 8, 2011 5:13 PM

                  Mine was bound to the sprint key, and seemed to work out

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          August 8, 2011 8:28 PM

          [deleted]

      • reply
        August 8, 2011 4:47 PM

        nice try.

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      August 8, 2011 2:51 PM

      granpachook is going to pre-order this shit out of this I bet

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      August 8, 2011 3:01 PM

      I hope they change the way multiplayer worked. Players should be able to move to any zone they want without forcing everyone to teleport with them.
      Then add in a "teleport to player" feature so you can join up with your friends quicker.

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        August 10, 2011 10:01 AM

        YES!

        Especially with map DLC. Allowing someone to bop out to their storage and return without killing the game for everyone else would be nice.

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      August 8, 2011 4:54 PM

      as long as those repair bots fuck right off.

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      August 8, 2011 6:55 PM

      ooo, maybe this one won't rely on me having to force three of my friends to play it with me and will auctally be above mediocre in single player

      one can dream, at least

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      August 8, 2011 7:45 PM

      That's sounds like a lot of 'changes' and 'updates'.

      I liked the Original, and just hope they do it justice.

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      August 9, 2011 7:11 AM

      I'm no big fps gamer at all, but as soon as I was greeted by Claptrap, then bumped his head, I fell in love lol.

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