Borderlands 3 - Mask of Mayhem

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EXCellR8

Diamond Member
Sep 1, 2010
4,113
927
136
It's hard not to get hyped about the game I mean BL hype has always set itself apart from any other franchise. Aside from the over-the-top and straight up ridiculous demeanor the series is so video-gamey it hurts a little. But it's a good hurt.

EXPLOSIONS!!!
 

BudAshes

Lifer
Jul 20, 2003
14,003
3,386
146
It's hard not to get hyped about the game I mean BL hype has always set itself apart from any other franchise. Aside from the over-the-top and straight up ridiculous demeanor the series is so video-gamey it hurts a little. But it's a good hurt.

EXPLOSIONS!!!

All good things in gaming come to a point where they are bought up by faceless corporations, dissected for any value and then handed to incompetent yes men whose sole job is to squeeze any money they can out of the franchise before discarding its lifeless corpse.
 

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
21,117
3,640
126
I honestly think gearbox has one of the best character creations.
They really have characters you laugh your butt off of.

Even battleborn, although had really poor sales, and flunked hard, yet it had some memorable characters which i hope we could see some iternation of in BL.
 

Skel

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2001
6,225
686
136
They're doing a VIP club where you do stuff to get points that convert into in-game stuff. Link if you're into that kind of stuff

Borderlands VIP
 

KMFJD

Lifer
Aug 11, 2005
33,375
53,366
136
174BD14550BAD22A6959FF39BEF8B1EFB0D2AB55


most likely to happen
 

Stg-Flame

Diamond Member
Mar 10, 2007
3,716
645
126
I wasn't really asking if anyone is going to boycott Borderlands 3. I guess I should have been more specific in asking for opinions based around how 2K handled the guy who posted copyrighted content on his Youtube channel.
 

Skel

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2001
6,225
686
136
I wasn't really asking if anyone is going to boycott Borderlands 3. I guess I should have been more specific in asking for opinions based around how 2K handled the guy who posted copyrighted content on his Youtube channel.

I missed a memo.. we hate Boarderlands now?
 

Stg-Flame

Diamond Member
Mar 10, 2007
3,716
645
126
I missed a memo.. we hate Boarderlands now?
Check the link I provided. Even if you don't watch the videos within, you can glean some idea of what's going on between 2K and how they handled a guy on Youtube who used some copyrighted material in his video(s) based on the video titles alone.
 

Skel

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2001
6,225
686
136
Check the link I provided. Even if you don't watch the videos within, you can glean some idea of what's going on between 2K and how they handled a guy on Youtube who used some copyrighted material in his video(s) based on the video titles alone.

I'm still not sure why I should care... From the IGN article on it, it appears the guy either hacked his way into private Twitch streams, or got the info from someone breaking their NDAs. Either way, he was streaming copyrighted stuff and shouldn't 2K have the right to decide how and where their stuff is shown? More so when it's not even released? I cant help but see it akin to the same reasons why you can't stream movies and get paid for it..
 

KeithP

Diamond Member
Jun 15, 2000
5,664
202
106
So now we know the real reason why they made Borderlands 3 an exclusive, it isn't very good.

The alternative is True Vault Hunter Mode, which kicks off a new campaign with all your loot and abilities in tow. Good in theory, I just never want to play the campaign again. A few repeatable timed gauntlets and waved-based horde modes are my only alternative, so I'll just wait for the DLC and hope the writing is better.

Between the bugs, the extended non-jokes, the self-aggrandizing jabs at game design trends, and a few cameos I won't spoil but that made me audibly groan, Borderlands 3 has a lot in common with Gearbox fan events as of late. There's a lot of loud, extended posturing while holding what everyone really came for hostage. It's a shame, because Tales from the Borderlands found a delicate balance of absurdity, self-awareness, and genuine heart. A better Borderlands is possible, it's just not Borderlands 3.

-KeithP
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,926
31,457
146
It sounds like all of his complaints are about the writing--lame jokes, terrible characters. He really didn't spend that much time critiquing the gameplay, other than it sounds "mostly what you expect from BL," which is probably what 90% of people hope it will be.

So, sounds like a mostly unfunny snore like TPS, but with the solid gameplay and gun work? I'd be fine with that.

BL2 so far is really the only 1 out of 3 primary BL games that has any kind of great writing, fun characters, all of that. So it would be more normal for this one to not be like that, heh. He compares it to the TellTale game which, well I don't know why that is relevant. Those games are nothing like these type of games.

But it does sound like a buggy mess and in need of some more engaging DLC, hopefully. This could at least lessen my anticipation enough to make it easier to wait for Steam availability, and a decent discount on a GOTY-like version.

I did look through the skill trees a couple of weeks ago, and I wasn't much interested in what the Siren has going. The robot thing with the pet looks OK, but then you are playing a pet class....
 
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Stg-Flame

Diamond Member
Mar 10, 2007
3,716
645
126
This is the most I've looked into this game and I'm disappointed. I had almost no expectations and I was still let down - mainly by this comment:
The inventory system is largely unchanged. Borderlands 3 is a bundle of aged design and frustrating inefficiencies.

The inventory system was probably the worst aspect of the Borderlands games but hearing that this will likely be more akin to TPS than BL1 or 2 is even worse since TPS played out like it was bad fanfiction written by high schoolers.
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,082
136
the crappy UI made me give on on Borderlands 1 after a couple hours.
Which is sad because just about every gamer out there says all titles are loads of fun and worth playing to the end.
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,926
31,457
146
the crappy UI made me give on on Borderlands 1 after a couple hours.
Which is sad because just about every gamer out there says all titles are loads of fun and worth playing to the end.

oh, just gtf over it, dummy.

It's a consoley menu, and if you have storage stress, you can always download willowtree for BL1, at least, and fix all those issues.
 

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
912
126
So, I'll admit that I'm teetering on the edge over picking up Borderlands 3. I still think my favorite in the entire series was the original game. The only complaints about the game that I can come up with (outside of game design thoughts) would be the original PC multiplayer, which was provided through GameSpy. Although, that has since been replaced with your typical Steamworks platform. Of course, there's the usual complaint about the main story's ending being a huge cop out, and that's understandable. Albeit, I think the game shone quite a bit more with its DLC... if we ignore the lackluster Mad Moxxi one.

I ended up with a few complaints about the second game. First of all, I just did not care for the writing in the second game. I preferred the more dry humor in the first game -- especially in the General Knoxx DLC -- and the second felt like it took a horrid step down from awkwardly satirical to playground-level potty humor. Another problem was how they made it so things scaled enough to make lower level guns horribly inefficient against higher level enemies. The problem with this is that since guns are your main source of damage -- compared to things like spells/abilities in a similar loot-focused game like Diablo -- having to give up a powerful gun due to level disparity meant you just felt gimped until you could happen to find a decent gun. That was part of the problem... I rarely found decent loot, and constantly felt weakened due to having to replace weaponry.

Now, I'm always willing to give a game a chance. I like that they've added more abilities into Borderlands 3, which will hopefully make classes feel even more distinct. However, when I was checking the reviews, one of them really stood out to me... the scathing review from PC Gamer. I'm sure this review, which was scored in the 60's, probably drew a lot of ire from fans, but it railed heavily on the writing/humor in the game. It sounds like Borderlands 3's writing/humor is far closer to the second game than the first one, which is what has me on the fence. I like FPS games... I enjoy loot games (I have hundreds upon hundreds of hours in Diablo III)... and I'd like to play it.

oh, just gtf over it, dummy.

It's a consoley menu, and if you have storage stress, you can always download willowtree for BL1, at least, and fix all those issues.

I always thought the UI on Borderlands 2 was worse than the first one. I think the first game had an awkward lack of keyboard-based controls and "PC niceties" that you'd expect. For example, like how you couldn't hit ESC to avoid watching the start-up logos each time. Of course, you could literally just remove/rename the videos, and they'd avoid playing too.

The one part that always bugged me about the UI on Borderlands 2 (and the Pre-Sequel) was the excessive use of panning and overlapping menus. The talent tree has an ability to view all three at once (in the Pre-Sequel... not sure about Borderlands 2), but unless I'm missing something, you can't select a talent from that view... just look at them.
 

EXCellR8

Diamond Member
Sep 1, 2010
4,113
927
136
I never had that much of an issue with the UI aside from the occasional inventory clutter. I was always very particular about what I actually picked up anyway.

I came for the explosions and wacky weapon physics anyway. It's not a series I take very seriously, yet I still enjoy it.
 

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
912
126
Awkwardly enough, the one thing that makes me bummed is that I can't find any deals on the game. :p I can normally get a decent chunk off at sites like GMG or Humble Bundle, but Borderlands 3 is never discounted (outside of the Epic Games Store sale snafu).

I never had that much of an issue with the UI aside from the occasional inventory clutter. I was always very particular about what I actually picked up anyway.

I came for the explosions and wacky weapon physics anyway. It's not a series I take very seriously, yet I still enjoy it.

Hm, that makes me wonder if it really depends on how you approach the game. I do have a decent FPS background, but I've also played a few loot-based RPGs in my time. So, I wonder if my disdain over the UI deals more with putting more prevalence on those elements? In my case, I'm going to pick up just about every gun/item that I see, because I want to sell them for money. I could see someone with an FPS focus only caring about picking up weapons/items that are an improvement for what they have.
 

EXCellR8

Diamond Member
Sep 1, 2010
4,113
927
136
Yea I never really spent a lot of time selling unless I got stuff I both didn't want and was worth a bit. I mean, in borderlands 2 there were those crystal monsters that literally just exploded money as you fought them lol. Was never really strapped for cash; it was always more rewarding to find rare guns vs buying them (though I will admit I did that on occasion if there was something good at vendors).

Not to mention that the hundreds if not thousands of boxes and lockers you can open--every single time you play--would sometimes net good profits.
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,926
31,457
146
Awkwardly enough, the one thing that makes me bummed is that I can't find any deals on the game. :p I can normally get a decent chunk off at sites like GMG or Humble Bundle, but Borderlands 3 is never discounted (outside of the Epic Games Store sale snafu).



Hm, that makes me wonder if it really depends on how you approach the game. I do have a decent FPS background, but I've also played a few loot-based RPGs in my time. So, I wonder if my disdain over the UI deals more with putting more prevalence on those elements? In my case, I'm going to pick up just about every gun/item that I see, because I want to sell them for money. I could see someone with an FPS focus only caring about picking up weapons/items that are an improvement for what they have.

yeah, that's the problem I think. I approach BL games the same way, because all loot is cash, at least, (or BAR from BL2), so there is never enough storage and there is no organization. It would be nice to at least separate by gun class, not just item class.

granted myself some 300 or whatever slots in BL1 using Willow...kinda helped? I didn't waste any more time huffing junk back and forth, especially while raiding Knoxx, but then of course I stopped getting rid of everything, couldn't decide why not, and also couldn't find what I really wanted in my bags, but it didn't matter because I couldn't empty it anyway.

such is life.
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,926
31,457
146
Yea I never really spent a lot of time selling unless I got stuff I both didn't want and was worth a bit. I mean, in borderlands 2 there were those crystal monsters that literally just exploded money as you fought them lol. Was never really strapped for cash; it was always more rewarding to find rare guns vs buying them (though I will admit I did that on occasion if there was something good at vendors).

Not to mention that the hundreds if not thousands of boxes and lockers you can open--every single time you play--would sometimes net good profits.

But if you were also paying attention to BAR stats, you are literally picking up every white you can find, just because. If only to toss it out. And green, and blue of course...but especially white because eventually, they get rarer the more you need them for BAR.