Borderlands: Blood on the Spreadsheets
- Thread starter Gigantor
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To Diagnol Horizontality, I can see the reduction going on with Borderlands to Fallout 3, Fallout 3 to Wasteland, Wasteland to...well, something pretty old in computer game years. And I do try to judge a game on its own merits, but I feel that Borderlands uses more ideas than it generates, and therefore hasn't moved far enough beyond the sources it draws from to make me like it.
I can't interpret a game in a vacuum, and I don't think Borderlands was created in one. Clearly the chaps behind it were fans of Bethesda's work, but would have had to make conscious decisions to distinguish themselves from it too. Fallout 3 and its conventions have been experienced by many people playing games right now, so I'd stand by judging Borderlands in relation to it. It's more fresh in most people's minds than Wasteland is. Also, the Fallout 3 comparison was part of a larger series of comparisons and references, all sorts of pop culture and media. The developers wanted people to recognise the references, so I think their product should be seen in relation to some of things they're referencing.
But I can see your point! But! If Borderlands is going to derive a lot of things from a lot of other sources, it'll get called derivative. Especially by me, because I'm a contrary and uppity and frowny kind of person. I suppose the point is that it's enough of a challenge for a review to address a game, without trying to address every game that preceded it. That's kind of a focus, self-control issue writing wise, and it's one I'll be trying to improve my handling of, and I think and hope you can help me do that, and that's one of the reasons why these forums are darned super.
I can't interpret a game in a vacuum, and I don't think Borderlands was created in one. Clearly the chaps behind it were fans of Bethesda's work, but would have had to make conscious decisions to distinguish themselves from it too. Fallout 3 and its conventions have been experienced by many people playing games right now, so I'd stand by judging Borderlands in relation to it. It's more fresh in most people's minds than Wasteland is. Also, the Fallout 3 comparison was part of a larger series of comparisons and references, all sorts of pop culture and media. The developers wanted people to recognise the references, so I think their product should be seen in relation to some of things they're referencing.
But I can see your point! But! If Borderlands is going to derive a lot of things from a lot of other sources, it'll get called derivative. Especially by me, because I'm a contrary and uppity and frowny kind of person. I suppose the point is that it's enough of a challenge for a review to address a game, without trying to address every game that preceded it. That's kind of a focus, self-control issue writing wise, and it's one I'll be trying to improve my handling of, and I think and hope you can help me do that, and that's one of the reasons why these forums are darned super.
I sometimes wonder that too! But I keep coming back to games, and they keep enetertaining me. It just doesn't stop me from finding things to dislike about them. They fascinate me much more than films or music, and they make me have thoughts, and want to share thoughts. I don't know if that means I play them to enjoy them or not. It has been a while since I've played games at all, with money and time constraints, so Borderlands would have had to pulled some pretty spectacular tricks out of its bag to make me giddy with glee. Still, November looks to be a heck of a month. We'll just have to see how it goes! I'm sure I'll smile yet!geldonyetich said:
I had to to take a bathroom break in the middle of your essay (I'm not calling it a review as reviews rarely, if ever, get this detailed, or engaging).
I find it interesting that in spite of all the flaws you found with the game, you still enjoyed it. I agree with a lot of your points, yet, there's just some sort of oddball charm about this game, that makes it entertaining.
I find it interesting that in spite of all the flaws you found with the game, you still enjoyed it. I agree with a lot of your points, yet, there's just some sort of oddball charm about this game, that makes it entertaining.
I don't think you're giving it enough credit. You're reviewing the game you wanted Borderlands to be (Fallout) not what it is (Diablo).Gigantor said:
There are a lot of very good things in Borderlands, but in order to see them you need to be thinking about the game as a loot hunting action RPG, you give only the most cursory information about the skill trees and the variations between characters, which is one of the most important things in a game of this type, no information on the varieties of loot and the way they interact, minimal information about the integration of RPG elements with action gaming.
Lots of complaining about the lack of story though, which is rather like complaining about the dearth of condom machines in the Vatican, because this is not that type of game, it is a shoot and loot game, story would just get in the way.
Absolutely excellent review. I honestly haven't seen words like anadiplosis since college (oh, how I miss those naive, halcyon days). While I am a huge fan of flowery/intelligent language, there are definitely points where it seems like some sort of epic literary orgasm. Still, you kept my attention throughout. Kudos!
It baffles me how you aren't a game writer for the escapist.
It baffles me how you aren't a game writer for the escapist.
Ah, so it seems that this is a game I wont enjoy that much. The Grind has never been my friend and even though I love the graphic style I doubt I'll be getting this. So that leave me with like, two games that I want to get this year. Modern Warfare 2 and Dragon Age Origins, I hope those doesn't disappoint. Maybe I'll also Brutal Legend and Halo:ODST, although I doubt it.
Good to have you back Gigantor.
Good to have you back Gigantor.
I forgot about Dragon Age! My purse-strings will be frayed to monofilament by the end of the month.Fire Daemon said:
Thanks everybody for the comments. I'll try and make the next review:
-Shorter, obviously, because 2,600 words is pushing it a bit.
-More focused on what the game is than isn't- that is, I'll review the game in front of me, not what I want it to be.
-Possibly have some sort of conclusion about whether the game is actually good or worth buying or any of that sort of jazz, although I can make that more complicated than it sounds and mess it up.
Hopefully they'll be a noticeable scale of improvement. I'll probably have to keep the flowery prose, otherwise I can't bring myself to write anything at all.
And special hellos to Purplerain, Ultrajoe, Fire Daemon, mjhhhiv, and RaktheUndead. Actually it sounds rude not to say special hellos to everyone... but specialer hellos to them.
I could kiss you. As said before me by others left from your time, I really haven't much to say that hasn't been said already by far more intelligent and witty people than I, but still, I offer up my extreme happiness alongside that of others who have long awaited your return.
Welcome home. Again.
Welcome home. Again.
Nice review.
I think you did a nice job highlighting what the game got right - the quirky humor, the aspects of MMOs that make them so long lived.
I personally think the game is a little short though. My brother and I played through together, and ended up finishing the main story quest by level 38 or so...which was kind of a surprise as we weren't planning on doing that till..you know...max level. Anyway good job on the review.
I think you did a nice job highlighting what the game got right - the quirky humor, the aspects of MMOs that make them so long lived.
I personally think the game is a little short though. My brother and I played through together, and ended up finishing the main story quest by level 38 or so...which was kind of a surprise as we weren't planning on doing that till..you know...max level. Anyway good job on the review.
Woah, good to see you (or atleast your writing).
While your ability to write is as good as ever, I am gonna have to agree with NewClassic that it seems your writing really becomes to personal to actually say something about anything. (or I might just be grouchy until the local food store opens and I can fill my empty stomach)
You should write a novel like that.
Also I was fascinated to discover (be told) that originality was a very new concept. I believe it is only during the last 200 years we have attributed merit to it. We will happily call something a ripoff of Shakespeare while the bard himself was highly aware that he was a ripoff. I guess this development is due to the amount of art produced and that our general knowledge of stuff is greater then in the days of old.
Anyway, glad to see you are writing here again.
While your ability to write is as good as ever, I am gonna have to agree with NewClassic that it seems your writing really becomes to personal to actually say something about anything. (or I might just be grouchy until the local food store opens and I can fill my empty stomach)
You should write a novel like that.
Also I was fascinated to discover (be told) that originality was a very new concept. I believe it is only during the last 200 years we have attributed merit to it. We will happily call something a ripoff of Shakespeare while the bard himself was highly aware that he was a ripoff. I guess this development is due to the amount of art produced and that our general knowledge of stuff is greater then in the days of old.
Anyway, glad to see you are writing here again.
That was just delicious, and I was about to sleep too, but worth the time.
yeah Borderlands is great and hopefully just the beginning, more dialogue and writing would be great in a sequel.
The world is just so fun I want to know more about it.
yeah Borderlands is great and hopefully just the beginning, more dialogue and writing would be great in a sequel.
The world is just so fun I want to know more about it.
Ok so I get the Diablo reference but LFD really, just because it has 4 players hell halo 3 has 4 players.Abedeus said:
It just doesn't make that much sense to me.
anyway this is all irrelevant.
