Finished the main campaign last night. It’s pretty much the perfect length IMO, especially after such a ridiculously intense stint with Elden Ring. I reckon it’s about 18 to 20 hours with a smattering of side quests. I should emphasise though, I left about 70% of the side quests left to do. I really really like it. It’s so much easier to get on with than Borderlands has become.
It was genuinely funny, much improved in the writing and acting department, although Paladin Mike is voiced by some celebrity who is bad enough that I couldn’t get past their section in BL3 ( they’re better here though, but still grate a bit).
Gameplay-wise, it’s hard to describe without doing it a disservice. If I say it’s Borderlands, that’s true, but the magic and melee and the much more in-depth build system transform that into something much more interesting and fun to explore, The scaling system for the coop is great because you never lose out on good gear if you want to help someone who’s earlier in the game than you are too. Plus that scaling means that all those side-quests I left on the table are still a challenge, still rewarding, and just generally well worth doing.
I’ve unlocked some of the endgame content as well, in the chaos dungeons and I really think that’s got legs as a coop activity. It’s got a slightly randomised, and choice-based rogue-lite structure which really doubles down on risk vs reward and I found myself diving in for more than one more go when I should have been hitting the hay.
My only gripes are the interface for inventory management is old and tired and not suited to the additions of armour and melee weapons and spells and rings and more. It’s really bad, to the point where I accidentally sold everything I was wearing on my first day playing it. And the fake Scottish accents can fucking do one. Honestly, it’s getting cringe-worthy and I don’t understand how, in a country with more people claiming they’re Scottish than actually live in Scotland, how in the flying fuck we still have to put up with godawful shite like that. It’s so bad I don’t even think The Simpsons could have got away with it,.
But, even with that particular thorn, I reckon if you’re a lapsed BL player. This is the train to get on. It’s definitely the way forward for them. Much less obnoxious, tons more fun.