Borderlands Game Of The Year Review Apr 2026

Let’s be honest: Mad Moxxi’s Underdome is a slog. It offers no XP, no story, and requires 5-round arena waves that take 2-3 hours per arena . The only reason to play is for two skill points and a trophy. It’s not fun; it’s a test of endurance. How It Compares to Borderlands 2 & 3 | Feature | Borderlands GOTY (Remaster) | Borderlands 2 | Borderlands 3 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Story | Simple, twisty, fresh | Deep, hilarious, tragic | Overlong, annoying villains | | Gunplay | Stiff, slow | Improved, great feel | Fluid, best in series | | Endgame | Limited (one raid boss) | Excellent (multiple raids, OP levels) | Solid (Mayhem, Takedowns) | | QoL Features | Basic | Good | Excellent (mantling, sliding) | | Humor | Dark, dry | Meme-heavy, brilliant | Hit-or-miss, dated |

Unlike Borderlands 2 or 3 , enemies lack distinct weak-point mechanics. Late-game fights boil down to: unload an entire SMG clip into a brute’s face, run backward, reload, repeat. Elemental effects (fire, shock, corrosive) matter less than raw damage. If you play solo, prepare for frustration.

Procedurally generated guns are now standard, but in 2009, Borderlands ’ “bazillions of guns” was a revolution. The remaster preserves that addictive loop: kill, open chest, compare stats, repeat. The satisfying thwack of a high-damage revolver or the chaotic spray of an Eridian alien weapon still triggers a dopamine hit. borderlands game of the year review

The remaster polished splitscreen play, making it one of the last great couch co-op shooters. Four friends on a single screen, screaming over loot drops—that experience is priceless and rare today. The Bad & The Ugly: Where Time Has Not Been Kind 1. The Inventory is a Chore The original inventory system was designed for controllers and low-resolution screens. The remaster barely touches it. Managing 42+ weapons, grenades, shields, and class mods is a slow, scroll-heavy nightmare. There’s no search, no proper sorting, and comparing two guns requires more clicks than a 2023 game would ever allow.

A faithful and generous remaster of a genre-defining classic. While its moment-to-moment combat and quest design feel undeniably dated, the sheer volume of loot, cel-shaded charm, and all-inclusive DLC make this the definitive way to experience the game that started it all. Recommended for: Completionists, lore hunters, and anyone curious about the roots of Borderlands 3 . Approach with caution if: You dislike repetitive combat or grindy RPG mechanics. What is the Game of the Year Edition? This isn’t a full remake like Resident Evil 2 . It’s a remaster of the 2009 original, bundled with all four DLC packs ( The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot, The Secret Armory of General Knoxx, and Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution ). For existing owners on PC, it was even offered as a free upgrade—a pro-consumer move worth applauding. Let’s be honest: Mad Moxxi’s Underdome is a slog

Developer: Gearbox Software Publisher: 2K Games Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X/S (via backwards compatibility) Release Date: April 3, 2019

The original game expected you to drive across vast, empty deserts repeatedly. The remaster adds a mini-map but not fast-travel between all zones. You will spend 20% of your playtime just holding the accelerator on the Runner buggy. It’s not fun; it’s a test of endurance

At a typical price of $30 (often on sale for $10-15), you’re getting a 25-30 hour main campaign plus another 15-20 hours of DLC. General Knoxx ’s Armory is widely considered some of the best Borderlands content ever made, adding raid bosses, new vehicles, and a level cap increase.