Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel!

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel! is a first-person shooter RPG set between the events of the first and second Borderlands games, unfolding on Pandora’s moon Elpis and the Hyperion moon base Helios. Serving as a flashback narrative told by Athena, the game chronicles Handsome Jack’s rise to power as players team with vault hunters, utilizing low gravity mechanics, O2 kits for mobility, and new weapon types like lasers and cryogenic gear while exploring procedurally generated environments and looting diverse guns.

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel!: Review

Introduction

In the sprawling, cel-shaded universe of Borderlands, where loot-hunting meets absurdist humor and ballistic mayhem, few entries spark as much passionate debate as The Pre-Sequel! Released in 2014, this interquel—nestled between the original Borderlands and its acclaimed sequel—promised to unravel the origins of series antagonist Handsome Jack while introducing groundbreaking mechanics. Yet, its legacy is one of duality: a narrative triumph wrapped in gameplay familiarity, a bridge between eras burdened by transitional expectations. As a historian of the franchise, I posit that The Pre-Sequel! is an indispensable, if imperfect, entry—a game that redefines series conventions through its lunar setting and Jack-centric lore, even as it struggles to escape the shadow of its predecessor. This review dissects its development, narrative depth, mechanical innovations, and cultural impact, arguing that despite its transitional nature, it stands as a vital, underappreciated cornerstone of the Borderlands saga.

Development History & Context

Studio Vision and Collaborative Dynamics

Developed primarily by 2K Australia with support from Gearbox Software, The Pre-Sequel! emerged from a unique confluence of ambition and constraint. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford framed the project as a “super-sized DLC” rather than a full sequel, leveraging the existing Borderlands 2 engine to expedite production while addressing fan demand for more content. This decision was pragmatic: Pitchford admitted that a true Borderlands 3 required a “massive” leap, which the team wasn’t ready to make. Instead, 2K Australia—tasked with creating a breakout role akin to Gearbox’s Opposing Force—focused on a prequel narrative, using the Hyperion moonbase (a location teased in Borderlands 2) as its centerpiece. The collaboration was symbiotic; Gearbox provided writing staff, including Anthony Burch, while 2K Australia spearheaded mechanics like cryo weapons and low-gravity physics, defying Gearbox’s initial skepticism about their “illogical” placement in the series.

Technological Constraints and Industry Landscape

Built on Unreal Engine 3, the game inherited Borderlands 2’s framework, enabling rapid prototyping but limiting technical innovation. Its exclusive seventh-gen console launch (PS3, Xbox 360, PC) reflected the 2014 transitional era, where studios prioritized established platforms over nascent eighth-gen hardware. Porting to PS4/Xbox One would have required engine rebuilding—a non-starter for a project defined by continuity. This choice positioned The Pre-Sequel! as a “last-gen” artifact, despite its forward-thinking mechanics. The gaming landscape of 2014 was saturated with sequels (Assassin’s Creed: Unity, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare), and The Pre-Sequel!’s experimental nature felt refreshively counter to annualized trends. Its development coincided with Gearbox’s pivot to new IPs like Battleborn, highlighting 2K Australia’s role as a custodian of the Borderlands identity before its studio closure in 2015.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot and Character Arcs

The narrative’s framing device—Athena recounting her past to Lilith, Roland, and Mordecai post-Borderlands 2—immediately establishes its interquel status. The story charts Handsome Jack’s tragic arc from idealistic Hyperion programmer to tyrannical villain. Key beats include:
– The Helios Coup: After a Lost Legion attack, Jack leads a team (Athena, Claptrap, Nisha, Wilhelm) to reclaim the space station, revealing his early ruthlessness.
– The Vault of Elpis: Jack’s quest for alien power culminates in Lilith destroying a Vault artifact, scarring his face and triggering his descent into madness.
– Betrayal and Redemption: Athena’s abandonment of Jack and the Eridian Watcher’s warning of impending war anchor the theme of moral ambiguity. The post-credits scene, where Jack murders Hyperion’s CEO and adopts his iconic mask, cements his transformation.

Thematic Resonance

At its core, The Pre-Sequel! explores power’s corrupting influence. Jack’s journey mirrors the sterile, oppressive environment of Helios, contrasting with Elpis’ lawless beauty. The Australian-influenced moon culture—complete with cricket-themed missions and “Waltzing Matilda” references—adds a layer of colonial satire, critiquing corporate exploitation. Dialogue retains the series’ sharp wit: Jack’s narration oscillates between charm and menace, while Athena’s stoic narration humanizes her from a Borderlands NPC to a sympathetic anti-hero. Themes of redemption (Athena) and betrayal (Moxxi, Roland, Lilith’s later defection) deepen the lore, making Jack’s villainy in Borderlands 2 more tragic than cartoonish.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Innovations

The Pre-Sequel!’s genius lies in its reimagining of Borderlands combat:
– Low-Gravity Physics: Elpis’ reduced gravity enables higher jumps, double-jets, and ground slams, turning arenas into vertical battlegrounds. Loot and enemy corpses float, demanding adaptive tactics.
– Oxygen Kits: A survival layer requiring players to manage air supply via vents or dropped tanks. Kits double as jetpacks, with rare variants offering stat bonuses.
– Cryo and Laser Weapons: Cryo guns freeze enemies for shattering melee combos; laser weapons provide low-recoil precision, diversifying the loot pool.
– The Grinder: A new machine combining three weapons of similar rarity into one, encouraging experimentation.

Character Progression and Flaws

The four Vault Hunters—all NPCs from prior games—offer distinct playstyles:
– Athena: “Aspis” shield for defense/reflect damage.
– Nisha: “Showdown” for auto-aimed precision.
– Wilhelm: Drone-based offense/defense.
– Claptrap: Random “VaultHunter.exe” skills, ranging from useful to chaotic.
Skill trees are robust, but mission design fails to leverage mechanics like low-gravity consistently. UI remains cluttered, and the absence of slag (introduced in Borderlands 2) unbalances elemental synergy. True Vault Hunter Mode (level 50) and Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode (level 60) offer replayability but feel like padding.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting and Atmosphere

Elpis and Helios are masterfully realized. The moon’s craters, ice caves, and Australian outback-inspired towns (e.g., Concordia) contrast with Helios’ sterile, corporate dystopia. This duality enriches themes: Jack’s desire to “civilize” Pandora mirrors Helios’ control-freak architecture. Environmental storytelling—like Eridian ruins and propaganda posters—deepens lore without exposition dumps.

Visual and Sonic Identity

The cel-shaded art style retains its vibrancy, with enhanced lighting emphasizing low-gravity effects. Character designs, particularly Jack’s scarred face and augmented Wilhelm, are visually striking. Sound design excels: Jesper Kyd’s score blends orchestral grandeur with chiptune nostalgia, while voice acting (Troy Baker as Jack, Danielle Bisutti as Athena) elevates dialogue. Australian accents and references (e.g., a “bogan” shotgun) lend authenticity, though some players found the localization gimmicky.

Reception & Legacy

Launch-Day Verdict

Upon release, The Pre-Sequel! scored 74-77 on Metacritic, praised for mechanics and writing but criticized for mission repetition. GameTrailers (8.4/10) lauded its “fresh experience,” while Destructoid (6/10) deemed it a “solid but unpolished entry.” Eurogamer noted its “DLC-sized” scope, and PC Gamer lamented its “lack of evolution” beyond Borderlands 2.

Evolution and Influence

Over time, its reputation shifted. Narrative depth and Jack’s arc cemented its importance as a character study. Mechanisms like cryo weapons and low-gravity paved the way for Borderlands 3’s refined systems. The DLC—particularly Claptastic Voyage (8.4/10 from IGN)—redeemed pacing issues, though Holodome Onslaught was panned. Commercially, it sold 1.5 million copies, becoming a gateway for new fans via compilations like The Handsome Collection. Its legacy is dual: a proof of concept for interquels and a cautionary tale about iterative design.

Conclusion

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel! is a game of contrasts—a narrative triumph hampered by mechanical conservatism, an experiment that both elevates and frustrates. Its lunar setting and Jack-centric lore are indispensable to the saga, redefining villainy through tragic nuance. Innovations like low-gravity combat and cryo weapons refresh the formula, even as mission design and UI quirks anchor it to the past. As a historian, I argue it stands as the series’ most underrated entry: a vital bridge between eras that enriches Borderlands 2’s context while daring to evolve the franchise. While not the definitive Borderlands experience, it is an essential one—flawed, ambitious, and brimming with heart. For fans seeking depth over spectacle, or innovators over purists, The Pre-Sequel! remains a lunar leap worth taking. Verdict: A transitional triumph that reshapes the Borderlands cosmos, one floating corpse at a time.