When Borderlands the Pre-Sequel was announced earlier this year, a few folks were nervous that it wouldn't live up to the repertoire of the series, since it's a prequel and not entirely being produced by Gearbox Software this time around. (2K Australia is playing a big part in development.) However, judging from our recent hands-on with the game at PAX Prime last week, we can assure you that there's nothing to worry about. The usual antics of shooting and looting are still intact, and the introduction of "moon physics" add a nice new twist to the game.

In The Pre-Sequel, you're one of four Vault Hunters working under the employ of the heinous Handsome Jack, who's trying to take over resources on the moon to call his own. This means consistently deploying his team to take over certain stations, battling enemies big and small with an array of weapons that range from small, effective pistols to top of the line laser cannons. And, as always, you can shop around for a better deal using funds picked up from dropped enemies and crates over the course of the game.

What's new about Borderlands the Pre-Sequel is its moon setting. Since you're bouncing around on the planet, you actually have new physics that need mastering, such as "lunar jumps" in certain areas that can give you some much-needed velocity. In some situations, you'll also need to access oxygen stations, even if you're playing as the robotic Claptrap. Failure to do otherwise will have you starting at the previous checkpoint you started at. Breathe, people, BREATHE.

As for the gameplay, it's vintage Borderlands through and through. Weapons still work as commonplace as they should, with enemies taking "critical hits" in certain spots and some guns acting better than others. The laser cannon, for instance, is ideal for frying larger "big-bads" in the station, leaving room for the others to be mowed down with typical assault cannons. As always, you can mix and match however you please, effectively becoming a force of one. Or four, if you feel like playing in co-op. (Yes, it's back.)

But perhaps the biggest wrinkle that The Pre-Sequel provides is one that a lot of fans have been clamoring for. For the first time in the series, you can play as Claptrap. Yep, the lovable doofus robot who's been slinking his way into our hearts since the original game is now playable, and he's just as effective as the other Vault Hunters in the game with his vast array of weapons.

What's cool is how 2K Australia nailed down his little nuances with his gameplay. He scoots along the ground in almost a dancing-like rhythm, and you feel that as you work your way into the next awaiting station. However, this mobility is handy for getting around incoming fire and working your way around certain enemies so that you can assault them from behind. It's almost to the point that everyone wishes they could be playing as Claptrap. For serious.

Finally, his melee attack is simple, yet awesome. When you attack with a melee strike, he simply swings out his robotic hand, while yelling out some sort of "HI-YAAAA" in the least effective way. It's comical, but also surprisingly powerful, especially while an enemy is reloading.

Combine that with the countless boss challenges that await, and the vast lootings you'll get from bringing them down, and you have a game that Borderlands fans should certainly be excited over. We'll see how The Pre-Sequel fares when it arrives on October 14th for PlayStation 3, PC and Xbox 360.

In the meantime, be like Claptrap. And keep on dancin'.