Borderlands Game of the Year

On the lawless desert planet Pandora, you play as one of four mercenaries searching for the legendary Vault. Along the way, you take jobs from the planet’s inhabitants and face bandits, wildlife, and other threats.

Explore connected areas, complete missions, and fight in first-person combat while collecting varied guns and gear. Earn experience, develop your character’s skills, and use a distinctive action ability for your chosen mercenary.

Play solo or join up to three other players for co-op. Vehicle combat adds another way to take on enemies, and this edition includes four additional adventures: The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot, The Secret Armory of General Knoxx, and Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution.

Players who enjoy the game often point to the satisfying loop of fighting, finding new weapons, and growing stronger, along with the distinct skills of the four characters. Co-op with friends is a recurring highlight, as are Pandora’s comic-book look, desolate atmosphere, and dark humor. Reviews also often describe missions as repetitive and the story as simple; some criticize the game’s dated feel, while a number of reviewers object to updated terms of service.