REVIEW: Borderlands: Legendary Collection (NSW) — Looter Shooter Without Borders
Along with other popular franchises being ported to the Nintendo Switch, Borderlands is one you should definitely add to your E-shop wishlist. The pack comes with the first three games: Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel!, plus a good sum of the franchise’s DLCs. If you’re like me, who hasn’t gotten into it before, this is the perfect chance for you to get hooked into the series. Even though the game first debuted in 2009, it still really holds up well compared to other games from its time.
There’s not much to say that hasn’t already been said before when it comes to gameplay: Borderlands is a good introduction to the world of FPS games as it blends shoot-and-loot open-world action with a simple objective-based structure that’s easy to follow. Perhaps one of the most laudable traits about the game is how straightforward it is in terms of design: elements like the HUD is well-put that it’s not overwhelming to look at even for someone who’s not used to playing shooter games, plus there’s always something to do that it’s hard not to get lost for hours living that sweet bounty hunter life.
In terms of visuals, the series has donned a distinct style that’s both practical and charming. The 3D comicbook-esque graphics make it seem like the game didn’t age at all, and has only gotten better when it came to the sequels–this is probably why the game translates well on the Switch. After all, it’s not the first time it’s been ported to a handheld console. It’s just as satisfying to play whether you’re using the Switch’s native display or not, but for me I prefer playing it handheld for the best experience. Though there are no noticeable drops in quality once you play on a docked Switch, it’s still not as impressive as the PS4’s Handsome Collection which showcases the game at 60fps.
On the other hand, the controls could use a little more finessing. If you plan to play Borderlands for hours on end, I would definitely recommend getting a good grip case for your Switch as you’ll be using the trigger buttons a lot. I’ve also experienced a little bit of dissatisfaction in adjusting the stick sensitivity as it barely helped make navigation less headache-inducing, but that could just be me though so take it with a grain of salt.
There’s been a lukewarm reception when it came to the pricing which is highly understandable: At $49.99, you’re already getting your money’s worth with the content included in the collection, but considering how it’s an old game that a lot of people have already moved on from, that pricing doesn’t fare very well knowing that it’s been packaged cheaper on other platforms. The best we can hope for is that this port signals a revival of interest for the earlier games, as there aren’t many players to connect with once you go for multiplayer in Borderlands 2.
VERDICT
Overall, The Legendary Collection is a sweet deal you shouldn’t pass up on especially if you’re a fan of the franchise. It’s a great port of the original series and definitely does the game justice.
[This review is based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher]