Borderlands 2: Gunzerking Boogaloo

I have a confession to make: I don't really like co-op loot games. The reason why, is that even when I play with my friends, every chest found becomes a mad dash to get the best equipment; and if I didn't make that ridiculous sprint-jump, I get left with whatever dross the others didn't want. You know, the stuff that isn't even worth the $20 sell price.

Thanks guys, i'll just stick with the level 1 gun I started with

It's a story of self-preservation, of course. But it's also the story of why I played Borderlands 1 solo for my first two characters. So when all of my friends bought Borderlands 2 and called to me to join them on their shooty-shooty blow up stuff rampage, I decided i'd give the sequel a chance.

Provided with less dub-step than the commercials

So the story of Borderlands 2 is pretty much this: Four (or Five, depending on your DLC) Vault Hunters head to Pandora in search of answers, money, adventure and all that good stuff. And as always, each as special abilities that give them an edge in combat, so that they can get revenge on the asshole that tried to blow them up. 

Pictured: Asshole

So our four (or five) amigos all head out to get better guns and get stronger so they can shoot lightning, acid and flame rounds at him and his minions to get what they want. Which is...revenge...or to save the world or something. 

Honestly, the characters do fall into the classic RPG world of silent heroes. Apart from audio logs that give backstory and their shouts and grunts on critical hits or death screams, you'll be emoting your character's emotions in your mic more than they will with their voices. 

Picture: The Commando, The Girl, The Robot/Alien? and the Guy with an Accent

That doesn't mean there's a lacking story. Honestly, the characters in Borderlands 2 are silent to allow the previous protagonists a chance to talk and interact with one another. So the previous bland "Vault Hunters 1-4" now actually have fuller, dynamic personalities and how they react with one another.

Hey...remember us?

So far here's how Borderlands 2 can be subscribed, with regards to my friend and co-author on the blog Greg: "Borderlands 2 is just Borderlands 1 with a plot and more whacked-out guns."

And the answer is yes, it is. But there's more! Customization, new vehicles, a much more prominent villain! 

I love to hate you, Jack.

The real protagonist of Borderlands 2 is Handsome Jack. Wait...what? Okay, so he might not be the protagonist (since that's the player's job) but he is the impetus for all of the events of Borderlands 2. It's his story; it's his game. He's the one who has brought everyone to Pandora, he's the one behind the curtain; honestly, he's the best part of the game; and Gearbox understood that, and made him the voice in your ear throughout most of the campaign. 

You will love Jack when he talks about his awful pretzels or his diamond horse named Butt Stallion. And you will hate Jack when he does things to you; things I cannot say because they are HEAVY in the spoiler alert section. He kills, maims, destroys because he's a sociopath and he's convinced himself that he IS the hero of the story. 

Borderlands 2 is fun, it never takes itself too seriously, but when the drama does come down it hits you square in the gun and kicks you while you're writhing in pain. New characters add flavor and humor to the story; while getting to see old NPCs and protagonists reappear along your journey make the story worth experiencing. 

Oh, and there's this: 

That'sssssssssss a very nice Borderlandssss you have there.

It's that kind of game.