Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

🔥 What is Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel for PC

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is a wild and chaotic first-person shooter with RPG elements, developed by 2K Australia alongside Gearbox Software and published by 2K Games. Released in 2014 as a spin-off between the first and second Borderlands entries, the game transports players to Pandora’s moon, Elpis, for a story set chronologically between Borderlands 1 and 2. This unique placement in the timeline gives fans the chance to explore the rise of Handsome Jack, who would later become one of the most infamous villains in gaming.

The narrative follows a ragtag group of Vault Hunters recruited by Jack, who at this point is not yet the tyrant players know, but a charismatic and ambitious Hyperion programmer. Across their adventure, players witness the shift in Jack’s personality, watching him evolve from a desperate survivor into a manipulative anti-hero whose actions reshape Pandora forever. The setting of Elpis provides a dramatic backdrop, offering low-gravity exploration, laser weapons, and oxygen mechanics that distinguish it from its predecessors.

At its heart, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel retains the series’ signature style, which combines frantic gunplay, loot-driven progression, irreverent humor, and cel-shaded visuals. However, by shifting the action to the moon, it introduces new gameplay twists, environmental challenges, and a fascinating sense of verticality. For fans of Borderlands lore, the game is a bridge that connects two beloved entries, filling narrative gaps while delivering fresh ways to shoot, loot, and laugh.

👉 Features of Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

Lunar Setting and Oxygen Mechanics

One of the game’s most defining features is its lunar setting, which alters both combat and exploration. The low-gravity environment allows players to perform double jumps, hover in the air, and slam down onto enemies with devastating force. Oxygen, or O2, becomes a vital resource, as players must use special “Oz kits” to breathe and even enhance combat. Managing oxygen adds a new survival element while also serving as a tactical layer in fights.

Expanded Weapon Variety

The Pre-Sequel expands the already chaotic Borderlands arsenal with new weapon types, most notably cryo-based guns that freeze enemies solid and laser weapons that deliver futuristic firepower. This fresh selection complements returning weapon classes, ensuring that every firefight feels both familiar and experimental. The loot system once again thrives on randomness, rewarding players with increasingly absurd and powerful gear that keeps combat unpredictable.

Playable Antagonists

For the first time in the series, players take control of characters who were previously enemies or villains. The roster includes Athena the Gladiator, Nisha the Lawbringer, Wilhelm the Enforcer, and Claptrap the Fragtrap. Each Vault Hunter comes with a unique skill tree and combat style, ranging from Athena’s energy shield to Claptrap’s chaotic and often ridiculous special abilities. Playing as these characters provides not only mechanical variety but also intriguing narrative perspectives.

Handsome Jack’s Origin Story

The Pre-Sequel’s most compelling narrative feature is its focus on Handsome Jack, showing how he transforms from a desperate employee to a ruthless ruler. Watching his moral descent, as told through the eyes of the playable characters, adds depth to his later role in Borderlands 2. This personal connection to Jack’s rise offers fans both humor and tragedy, enriching the overall lore.

Cooperative Chaos

Staying true to Borderlands tradition, the game thrives in co-op play, supporting up to four players online. Shared looting, combined skills, and cooperative strategies make the chaotic battles more entertaining and dynamic. The synergy between character classes is particularly rewarding, as abilities can stack or complement one another in ways that encourage teamwork and experimentation.

Gameplay

Moon Gravity and Oxygen Survival

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel’s gameplay is immediately distinguished by its moon setting, where gravity is lighter and every leap carries players further and higher than ever before. Double jumps and slam attacks redefine movement, making verticality an essential part of both exploration and combat. However, this freedom comes at a cost, as players must carefully manage their oxygen supply, either by finding canisters, upgrading Oz kits, or sticking close to oxygen vents scattered across Elpis.

Character Skills and Customization

Each Vault Hunter offers a distinct approach to combat, supported by branching skill trees that reward different playstyles. Athena excels at defense with her shield-based abilities, while Nisha favors raw gunslinging accuracy and Wilhelm leans on robotic drones for support. Claptrap, of course, embodies chaos, with skills that often trigger random and hilarious effects. Customization extends beyond skills to character skins, headgear, and weapon loadouts, ensuring every playthrough feels personal.

Loot and Weapon Madness

Like all Borderlands entries, the hunt for loot is a constant motivator. The Pre-Sequel introduces cryo weapons and lasers, which dramatically change battle dynamics, while also retaining the huge pool of randomized guns, shields, and grenades. The thrill of opening a chest or defeating a boss for rare loot never diminishes, creating a constant feedback loop of reward and experimentation.

Mission Variety and Humor

Missions range from serious confrontations to bizarre and comedic tasks, often laced with Borderlands’ trademark humor. Whether escorting quirky NPCs, battling bizarre alien creatures, or following Jack’s increasingly unstable commands, players are kept engaged through a blend of satire and chaos. The writing balances absurd comedy with darker undertones, reflecting the shift in Jack’s character.

Co-op Synergy

The game reaches its peak in multiplayer, where up to four friends can band together. Abilities complement each other in exciting ways: Athena can shield allies while Claptrap provides unpredictable buffs, creating a constant sense of cooperative unpredictability. Shared loot may spark playful rivalry, but it also keeps the energy high and the action endlessly replayable.

Graphics

Cel-Shaded Comic Style

The Pre-Sequel retains the distinctive cel-shaded art style that has become a Borderlands hallmark. The cartoon-like visuals not only make the game stand out but also allow for over the top weapons, enemies, and environments to feel natural within its world. This style blends humor and grit in equal measure, making every firefight colorful and chaotic.

Lunar Landscapes and Space Vistas

By moving the action to Elpis, the game introduces a new visual palette compared to the deserts of Pandora. Harsh craters, glowing lunar bases, and breathtaking views of space dominate the landscapes. The backdrop of the planet below constantly reminds players that they’re fighting in a strange, isolated, and dangerous place.

Character and Enemy Design

Playable characters, NPCs, and enemies are all given exaggerated, cartoonish designs that align with the series’ tone. The enemies range from human bandits to alien lifeforms and Hyperion soldiers, each designed to stand out visually while also reinforcing the game’s offbeat humor. Animations remain sharp, with freeze effects and laser blasts adding extra flair.

Visual Effects and Performance

Explosions, elemental effects, and low-gravity slam attacks come alive with vibrant particle effects. Cryo weapons freeze enemies into icy statues that shatter dramatically, while laser beams cut through the battlefield with glowing intensity. The game runs smoothly on most systems, though at release some optimization issues were noted on PC, later addressed with patches.

Pros and Cons

✔️ Pros

• Unique lunar setting with low-gravity movement and oxygen survival mechanics.
• Expanded arsenal featuring cryo and laser weapons that add fresh combat variety.
• Playable antagonists provide new perspectives and diverse combat styles.
• Handsome Jack’s backstory enriches the Borderlands universe and connects directly to Borderlands 2.
• Co-op gameplay remains chaotic, hilarious, and endlessly replayable with friends.

❌ Cons

• Mission structure can feel repetitive despite humor and variety in tone.
• Oxygen management sometimes feels more tedious than fun.
• Story pacing slows in certain segments, with weaker side quests dragging momentum.