The creation of any sequel is always a very difficult and responsible task. The developer has to maneuver between two extremes – an accurate repetition of the original and an excess of innovations. So that the game is not a branding of one of the popular shortcuts of “no longer” or “old cabbage soup”, it is necessary to understand what elements of the series of the series are conceptually important and do not allow changes, and which allow them and even assume them. Borderlands 2 – just a successful combination of the new with the game atmosphere loved by everyone.
Fantastic four
And could the atmosphere change? The events of the second part unfold on the same planet Pandora just a few years after the known failure of the four hunters for the storage. Skags still run along desert plains, free racches soar in the sky, and the bandits defeat their camps. However, something has changed. The opening by the heroes of the storage provoked the release of the eridium – a superior resource, the production of which aimed the activities of the Hyperion Corporation. Handsome Jack, who headed the Hyperion, announced a policy of cleansing the planet from the gangster infection of the colonists, who, for the joint confrontation of the corporation, rallied in a place called asylum. Thus, the plot background is the classical struggle of powerful, numerous, but “evil” exploiters and weak, but morally more gifted rebels. In the plot tie Borderlands 2 does not shine with originality, repeating the canonical scheme of many anti -utopic works. Nevertheless, in the course of the game, the plot captivates, we are waiting for pleasant and not very surprises that shed light on the events of the first part.
But not only the locals fell into disgrace Jack. The new four storage seekers are already tearing off the Hyperion plans for the industrialization of Pandora. The new heroes are well -forgotten old: Gunzerker (in the Russian translation of schizo shooting) – “tank”, preferring to shoot with two hands;graceful Maya siren, paralyzing enemies with the ability of phase lock;Akston soldier, wielding heavy “guns”;and the murderer Zero, who can temporarily become invisible, creating his phantom double.
In the skin of one of these characters, the player will have to join the colonists camp and show the handsome Jack, where they winter on Pandora Rakki. Our old friends will help us in this. Scooter, doctor Zed, Marcus – everyone found themselves a shelter in the shelter. Moreover, as a NPC we will meet hunters for the repository from the first part – slightly aged, but still the same combat -ready.
Hero for “pumping”
Character development system in Borderlands 2 not very different from the original. Destroying various living creatures, as well as completing tasks, the player receives experience. Each new level automatically increases maximum health and damage, and also gives one point of skill that can be invested in the development of a particular skill. Each of the characters has three specializations, which are a set of certain skills. For example, the murderer Zero is sniper skill, cunning, massacre.
To improve the next stage of specialization, you need to invest 5 points in the previous. And each character has six such steps. Thus,
in order to reach the top of specialization, you need to have at least the thirtieth level. And this means that you can become an outstanding sniper, or a steep shirt in close combat, or a little by everyone.
The existing system can find one insignificant drawback: each character has only one active skill. Certain skills only slightly increase certain characteristics. All this slightly reduces interest and motivation for the development of the character. After all, it would be much more interesting to create a tree of skills in the Diablo 2 manner, offering the player variability in creating his own hero. Unfortunately, Gearbox Software In the second part I did not do this.
But the authors diversified the “pumping” of the character with something else. Remember a huge list of tests from the first part? It was possible to pierce to friends, for example, unlocking the achievement “Kill three thousand bandits with a shot in the head”. Now, the study of the list of “Challenge” has practical interest. For their passage, the so -called Badass Points are given, with which you can improve one side of your character, for example, the maximum health or speed of regeneration of the shield. Improvements insignificant, but thorough testing gives a tangible effect.
Another innovation concerns an increase in the capacity of the backpack and the number of transferred cartridges. Previously, it was possible to expand the inventory by performing quests for the repair of iron, and the problem of a limited number of ammunition was easily solved in the store for ordinary money. Now these improvements can be made in the black market for an eridium, which is issued during the passage in strictly limited quantities.
One of the most anticipated chips of the game is the variety of weapons. The game automatically generates the characteristics of the foundings found or “dropping” from monsters, creating a huge arsenal: from ordinary pistols and ending with snipers with explosive cartridges and acid grenade launchers. Add to this a useful “loot” like modifiers of a class or improvements for grenades, and it will become clear that Borderlands 2 -Dream of any RPG maniac. By the way, now in the game the long use of a certain type of weapon does not lead to an increase in the skill of ownership. This makes the gameplay more diverse and variable in terms of weapon selection. Even if the assassin half a game ran with a sniper rifle, nothing will stop him from taking up a grenade launcher once. Another thing is that the character skills are sharpened more for certain types of weapons.
Cutting the box of Pandora
Variability increased in the tasks. In addition to the traditional “kill them all”, sometimes instructions flash, which need to be fulfilled in a certain time, quests to protect points from the advancing crowd of enemies. There are also missions for relaxation. After heavy many hours of shootings, it is pleasant to celebrate the birthday of a clumsy piece of iron, having eaten a piece of pizza, having guessed into the horn and enjoying the humor of his steel friend.
Most of the tasks come to the player from one source – shelter, where, as already mentioned, our friends from the previous part gathered. The implementation of their requests is not necessary for promotion on the storyline, but it is extremely desirable to improve the character. Can be performed exclusively by plot quests. However, when a manner exceeding the player’s level meets on the way, you do not find any other choice but to stop and take on sideways.
However, the characters are colorful here, and their dialogs are full of company humor, so that you go on the next task with the only desire – to hear another replica from the employer. Each of the heroes has its own crazy problem that the player is invited to solve.
But the exits to the open spaces of Pandora are no less exciting than a peaceful chatter in the shelter. Everything is saturated with the style here – and the point is not even so much in the buried “drawn” picture. Pandora’s space is characterized by an increased concentration of aggression and danger. There are no beauties for contemplation, like in Skyrim. Yes, in Borderlands 2 Winter locations and snow have appeared. But in the center of any landscape here is an enemy camp or abode of the Scaga, against the backdrop of the blue sky – a huge “Hyperion” base hanging in orbit and ready to fire the planet at any time. Throughout Pandora, weapons with weapons, washing machines with cartridges, toilets with shields are scattered. Everywhere, like carbonated drinks, first -aid kits and grenades are sold in machine guns. However, a humorous stream of speech of various NPCs, tirelessly pouring into the hero of the hero even during the battle, cartoon graphics and cheerful shootings make stay in the world Borderlands 2 extremely relaxed and exciting. It is worth paying tribute Gearbox Software – With the creation of images and style, she has no problems.
“They also had children, parents, families … as you could? Kidding. Kill them all!”
As for the combat component, then from this side the game has become prettier. The enemies have increased a sense of collective responsibility. Each of the rivals chooses those forms of fighting, which is closer to his abilities and skills. For example, large clumsy looters slowly step on us, hiding in shields, and ordinary bandits tend to impose a shootout, hiding behind boxes and buildings. Crazy Kamikadze with dynamite on the belt roll to the player ahead. Handsome Jack raised a whole army of robots who can not only fight, but to treat their comrades and give rise to their own kind.
Opponents from the time of the last part have a jump in evolution. On the battlefield, a wounded opponent will try to retreat, waiting for the restoration of the shield. If you slip away from a losing fight, you decide, the enemy will try to pursue you. All sorts of buck -like monsters were too wiped – for them it is not worth making a ten -meter jump onto the roof or another height, from which the player planned to freely fire the creatures. True, there are sometimes regressive individuals who prefer active actions to meditative viewing of the wall. And no finger from the rifle will tear them away from this lesson.
In general, there are much more monsters – about twenty species. Add to this a huge number of subspecies, distribution by levels, a considerable number of “bosses” – and you will understand that you will not be a shortage of targets. Especially if you play more than one, but with friends in a cooperative, enemies become noticeably larger. So, like the first part, Borderlands 2 It is extremely recommended to take place in the company.
Borderlands 2 – This is an incendiary mixture of old and new. The creators managed not only to maintain the atmosphere, the style and original humor of the first part, but also to increase the degree of entertainment and dynamism of the gameplay. You can close your eyes to minor flaws – colorful characters and a rich game world more than compensate for them. Of course, among the existing shooters and RPG Borderlands 2 not distinguished by an innovative approach in terms of the combat system or role elements. But she has a unique style that many modern games are so lacking. For this we love her.
Pros: Stunning style;corporate humor;colorful heroes;The variety of weapons.
Cons: The character development system could be more interesting.