Borderlands Game Of The Year Review May 2026
Let’s be honest: Mad Moxxi’s Underdome is a slog. It offers no XP, no story, and requires 5-round arena waves that take 2-3 hours per arena . The only reason to play is for two skill points and a trophy. It’s not fun; it’s a test of endurance. How It Compares to Borderlands 2 & 3 | Feature | Borderlands GOTY (Remaster) | Borderlands 2 | Borderlands 3 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Story | Simple, twisty, fresh | Deep, hilarious, tragic | Overlong, annoying villains | | Gunplay | Stiff, slow | Improved, great feel | Fluid, best in series | | Endgame | Limited (one raid boss) | Excellent (multiple raids, OP levels) | Solid (Mayhem, Takedowns) | | QoL Features | Basic | Good | Excellent (mantling, sliding) | | Humor | Dark, dry | Meme-heavy, brilliant | Hit-or-miss, dated |
Unlike Borderlands 2 or 3 , enemies lack distinct weak-point mechanics. Late-game fights boil down to: unload an entire SMG clip into a brute’s face, run backward, reload, repeat. Elemental effects (fire, shock, corrosive) matter less than raw damage. If you play solo, prepare for frustration. borderlands game of the year review
A faithful and generous remaster of a genre-defining classic. While its moment-to-moment combat and quest design feel undeniably dated, the sheer volume of loot, cel-shaded charm, and all-inclusive DLC make this the definitive way to experience the game that started it all. Recommended for: Completionists, lore hunters, and anyone curious about the roots of Borderlands 3 . Approach with caution if: You dislike repetitive combat or grindy RPG mechanics. What is the Game of the Year Edition? This isn’t a full remake like Resident Evil 2 . It’s a remaster of the 2009 original, bundled with all four DLC packs ( The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot, The Secret Armory of General Knoxx, and Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution ). For existing owners on PC, it was even offered as a free upgrade—a pro-consumer move worth applauding. Let’s be honest: Mad Moxxi’s Underdome is a slog
At a typical price of $30 (often on sale for $10-15), you’re getting a 25-30 hour main campaign plus another 15-20 hours of DLC. General Knoxx ’s Armory is widely considered some of the best Borderlands content ever made, adding raid bosses, new vehicles, and a level cap increase. It’s not fun; it’s a test of endurance