This’ll be just a quick review, due to the lack of me being able to get footage off my Vita and the fact I imagine most of you would have already played one of the Borderlands games in some way or another and if you haven’t, you are truly missing out.
Borderland is one of the best game series going and 2 sits firmly as one of my all time favourites. Easily in my top 5. I have completed 2 on Xbox 360, PS3/PS4, and started 2 play throughs on the Vita over the years. I must’ve completed the game easily 7 times if not more since it originally dropped. It never gets old. Having started the game up and lost all my previous save data somehow, I chose to just start again. Picking zero for this run, opting for a sniper build, which I have yet to do. If nothing else this game provides high variety in play styles.
With this handheld version, it’s basically the same. If you’ve played the full console version which ever version it may be not much has changed. This is a real positive though. The graphics are all but the same, just slightly down graded. It doesn’t make too much of a difference though. Textures aren’t as crisp and the rendering isn’t obviously as good. This should be expected though considering the lower hardware capabilities. The game plays perfectly fine though, well for the most part. It will semi-frequently lag a bit and get a bit jolty. Overall doesn’t effect the overall shoot outs, which is the main part of the game. The gun fighting and loot, shooting is still just as great as it ever was here.
This particular version comes with pretty much all the DLC, minus Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep. Which is a shame as it’s by far the best DLC. Even spawning a spin off title which I have yet to play, just another game in my ever expanding backlog. Having the other 3 main DLC’s to play though is worth while still. Adding extra hours of play and new legendary weapons, boss fights and a slightly higher level cap.
This version makes use of the Vita’s touch pad and touch screen, integrating it into the main aspects of combat. Used for running, melee attacks, throwing grenades and activating each individuals special ability. You can use the console itself to move when zoomed in, I personally find it harder to use activated then not, as you’ll constantly move whilst trying to aim with the joystick. You can if you’re butterfingered like me, though accidentally and constantly launch grenades at the floor in front of you, and end up blowing myself to shit.
Ultimately this version is a slightly downgraded graphically version of the already 10/10 classic. It doesn’t bring anything new to the table really. Just having the extra features that come along with the Vita itself. You get all the same guns, missions and trophy listing that can be shared with the PS3 list if you have already played it. It’s still just as much fun as it ever was and handsome jack is still one of the best villains in gaming.
I’d give this a 10/10 real fuckin’ Tasty. Having one of the best games of the 7th generation console cycle, with barely any downgrades, and with added portability. Even if you can get them on the Switch now as well, I’d imagine that is worth your time just as much as well.
Released 6th May 2014, Sony Ps vita
TastyRetroGaming 