Borderlands
In short: Borderlands is an action game released in 2009 by Gearbox Software, available on PC, PlayStation and Xbox. Our score: 8.0/10 (worth buying, especially on sale). Lowest price we found right now: $4.99.
A bazillion guns await in this cel-shaded shooter RPG.
Borderlands pioneered the looter-shooter genre, combining first-person shooting with RPG progression and procedurally generated weapons that number in the millions. Set on the lawless planet of Pandora, four Vault Hunters seek a legendary alien vault rumored to contain incredible technology and treasure. The cel-shaded art style was a bold departure from typical shooters, giving the game a distinctive comic book aesthetic that became the franchise's visual identity. Four player co-op scales difficulty and loot quality, encouraging teamwork. Each character class features unique action skills and deep skill trees that enable diverse playstyles from turret-deploying soldiers to berserk melee fighters. The game's irreverent humor, memorable characters like Claptrap, and addictive loot loop created a formula that spawned a massive franchise.
Game details
- Developer: Gearbox Software
- Publisher: 2K Games
- Release year: 2009
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
- Category: action
Our review
Where the looter-shooter genre was born. Borderlands' procedurally generated guns and co-op focus created a blueprint that's been imitated countless times.
Pros
- Genre-defining loot system
- Great co-op
- Unique art style
- Massive weapon variety
Cons
- Weak story
- Repetitive quests
- Dated graphics
- Empty open world
FAQ
- Is Borderlands 1 still fun?
- Yes, especially in co-op. The loot system and humor hold up well.
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Last updated: 01/04/2026