3/5 ★ – user5282's review of Borderlands.

Borderlands (2009) – ★★★☆☆ An okay game with a strong atmosphere, but the gameplay hasn’t aged well. Borderlands (2009) is a classic that kicked off a massive franchise, and while I respect what it did for looter shooters, revisiting it now—or even playing it for the first time—can feel like a slog. The core gameplay is a bit dull and repetitive compared to the tighter, faster, and more dynamic combat in later entries like Borderlands 2 or 3. The lack of a proper fast travel system doesn’t help either, making exploration feel like a chore at times. That said, there’s still something special here. The mystery surrounding Pandora, the eerie charm of the environment, and the cryptic appearances of the Siren’s face guiding you toward the Vault create a unique sense of atmosphere. Those moments were genuinely intriguing and gave the game some narrative weight, even if the overall story was a bit sparse. I can’t help but wish this game would get a full remake with Borderlands 3’s gameplay mechanics, proper fast travel, and more fleshed-out storytelling. As it stands, it’s an important piece of gaming history, but more of a rough gem than a polished experience. Worth checking out if you’re a fan of the series—but temper your expectations.