[360/PC/PS3] Borderlands 2

[Enigma]

I made the mistake of watching some of the trailers....damn, they make some good trailers.  Now I'm fighting the urge to buy this!  I didn't even finish the first one yet!!!!!

It's making me want to reach all new levels of "badass-ness" with a bazillion guns (and grenades...must'nt forget the bazillions of grenages.)

[jztemple2]

I made plans to keep my schedule clear tomorrow, but now I do have to take my wife to a doctor's appointment. I don't mind of course... well, maybe just a little . She suggested that I might want to go to the midnight launch at my local Gamestop tonight to pick up the game so I can get in more play time tomorrow. That was a bit of a shock, since she always thought those midnight affairs were a bit silly for a man approaching sixty . So, for those who have attended midnight launches at Gamestops, just how out of place would I be?

[Arclight]

I made plans to keep my schedule clear tomorrow, but now I do have to take my wife to a doctor's appointment. I don't mind of course... well, maybe just a little . She suggested that I might want to go to the midnight launch at my local Gamestop tonight to pick up the game so I can get in more play time tomorrow. That was a bit of a shock, since she always thought those midnight affairs were a bit silly for a man approaching sixty . So, for those who have attended midnight launches at Gamestops, just how out of place would I be?

<...........58
But never been to a mid-night anything concerning gaming. That's mainly because I can't stay up that late(no lie) But one thing I've come to realize no one cares about age much at gaming events...It would be a bit like the pot calling the kettle black.(soot, burned on black)
And I imagine there are some very cool dads out there who bring there young-uns to these events.
Go for it!!! and a big high five to your wife. Mine has no interest what so ever in gaming, but she respects my choice of hobbies and every 2 years or so gives me the nod to get a new rig.

[Harkonis]

You'll be fine JZ, people will either assume you're one of the most awesome dad's in the world picking up a gift for a kid, or that you're one an awesome older gamer. 

[USMC Kato]

Going to midnight release for a game is the same as going to a midnight showing of a movie.

[Jarrodhk]

Everyone points and laughs?

Wait, that might just be me.

[CeeKay]

heh... mechromancer.... mech-romancer... <snicker> <hic>

[Caine]

Launch trailer

[CeeKay]

UNLOCKING!

[Caine]

UNLOCKING!

HELL"S YEAH

[USMC Kato]

already spent around 15 minutes trying to get Borderlands 2 to play.....

[Purge]

FYI: GMG still has 20% off it, and this code works for another 20%:

GMG20-AWDF9-Q1PEY

site is slloooooww though.

They give you a Steam code, so it's still the same thing.

http://www.greenmangaming.com/s/ca/en/pc/games/rpgs/borderlands-2-na/

[CeeKay]

played around a bit-  it's Borderlands

random thoughts:

not sure I liked the song during the opening bit, 'Ain't No Rest for the Wicked' was much catchier and got me pumped up better.

been noticing textures taking a second or so to load when opening boxes.  not game breaking but not sure how it was missed.

Steam keeps wanting to install MS .Net Framework 4 when I fire up the game.  let it do it once, it wanted to restart my PC, so I let it, and then it wanted to do it again.  let it do so, but selected not to restart my PC.  it popped up a third time after I quit the game and came back in, but then it didn't ask me to restart.

playing as Zero for now, unfortunately you don't start with any skills so it's hard to get a proper feel for him.

PC options:  plenty of them, including FOV and a framerate limiter.  got everything maxed out; don't remember if the first game used PhysX but that is also a setting.

[Harpua3]

So even after just 20 mins I can say this will be played alot and for a long time...I'm headed back in right now...

[Zinfan]

Had the exact same issue with the .net stuff and I am sure Kato did too.  Hated the unskippable intro just cause I couldn't bypass it, good song though same theme as Strikeback on Cinemax.

Once in the game everything worked great and I had fun but need sleep now.

[Harpua3]

Just finished. Going to bed, wife is getting up..yeah it's 7:14, the game is great and I'm tired. Until tomorrow when I make the same mistakes...or wise decisions.

[metallicorphan]

CVG: 8.5: "Light on story and heavy on guns. Borderlands 2 is saved from XP strip-mining by a sharp sense of humour and a slick, destructive multiplayer."
OXM UK: 9 - "The words "awesome" and "badass" are used a lot in this game, but Gearbox has earned the right."
OPM UK: 9: "If you're tired of brown military shooters and crying out for something different, then get involved - this is one of the most imaginative and rewarding blasters of the year."
Edge: 9 - "Gearbox knows more about the fundamentals of the shooter than almost any other developer."
GamesRadar: 8 - "If you like to shoot, and you dig collecting loot, Borderlands 2 has enough to scratch your itch for some time to come."
OXM US: 9: "Developer Gearbox hasn't messed with success, wisely opting to refine and improve what made the original so great."
GameSpot: 8.5 - "Stellar writing and a host of small improvements help Borderlands 2 stand tall on the shoulders of its predecessor."
IGN: 9 - "Love to collect loot, level up a hero and shoot guys in the face? Then get Borderlands 2 right now."
VideoGamer: 9 - "On paper, this sequel reads much the same as the original. But it's not - it's a vastly superior game."
Eurogamer: 9 - "Borderlands 2 is still a hillbilly moonshiner sort of game, then, but it's the hillbilly at his canny, tinkering, big-dreaming best."
NowGamer: 9.4 - "Ocean-deep and country-wide, this huge RPG will keep you going for months before you even need to think about DLC. Oh, and it's probably one of the best co-op games you'll ever play."

[EddieA]

I played for about 2 1/2 hours, until my finger got tired of holding down the W key   I love everything about it - the graphics, the personality, the humor, the slick interface, and the boatload of challenges (with tangible rewards this time).  Playing as Maya, it seems harder than the first game.  I've had to fight for my life about 6 times already, but I succeeded all but once.

[Caine]

Played for a while after unlock.  Level 8 with Zero.  The loot system is better.  The changes to the brands are noticeable.  Already found some good elemental weapons and they are just as effective as before. 

It's going to be a while before I get familiar with the interface changes, but it does seem to be better than the one in BL1.  Died once due to a mistimed boost in the buggy that lead to a Thelma and Louise moment, but having just come from a few weeks of playing the first, I've been more cautious and able to avoid too many close calls.  Like the little details they've added in like staggering enemies and being able to walk up and pick up cash automatically. 

[jztemple2]

Just got my 360 copy from my local Gamestop this morning. They said they had about 100 at the midnight launch (it's a small store in a small market, so that's a lot for them). At the rate they processed my order this morning those 100 must have been in line for a couple of hours.

And unlike the first game, I won't be doing co-op for the first play through. Since I was always the weakest of the coop group I basically just followed along and missed a lot of the nuances of the story. I'll wait till I get some time on the game.

[jztemple2]

Did I miss something, or are there no longer levels for each type of weapon (SMG, pistol, etc) which rank up? Maybe this is replaced by the Badass rewards?

[CeeKay]

Already found some good elemental weapons and they are just as effective as before. 

found a pistol with elemental explosive damage, bit it didn't seem to do much; it seemed to miss more often than not so I switched to a regular pistol instead.

[Roguetad]

I also experienced the .net framework install silliness.  After complying with one restart, I just ignored the next request and launched the game again...which worked.  Since then I've exited and launched the game at least 4 or 5 times with no requests for a .net repair.  I wonder what the whole .net weirdness was about?  

I've barely scratched the surface, but so far it's been more Borderlands goodness.  I know this is blasphemy for the pc fps loyalists, but I'm actually thinking of playing my steam version on a 360 controller.  I played all of last night and this morning on mouse and keyboard, and it worked fine, but I played the original on the 360 and kind of miss the simplicity of the controller.  I rebound the mouse and keyboard keys to my liking, but I'm still missing the controller.  I know, it doesn't make a lot of sense, and the aiming is like easy mode using a good mouse, but there it is.  

I started with Salvador and Axton, but since it takes awhile to get to their core skills, it's hard to tell which I'll prefer.  Axton's Guerilla skilll tree looks good.    

[jztemple2]

I'm on Southern Shelf as Axton. I see loot on the upper outside levels of some buildings, but darn if I can figure out how to get up there to reach them. Is it possible that only some characters jump up high enough, or am I just not clever enough to figure out how to get up there?

[Harkonis]

Did I miss something, or are there no longer levels for each type of weapon (SMG, pistol, etc) which rank up? Maybe this is replaced by the Badass rewards?

you are correct.


I played fine this morning, but now when I click 'Play' nothing at all happens

[Soulchilde]

waiting patiently for my 360 copy

[Harpua3]

I'm awake and I have stuff to do, but I wanna play this now!!! Gotta wait til later ! 

[Teggy]

Unbeliveable, I have the launcher problem now. I was playing in a friend's game, quit out to adjust my mic and when I tried to relaunch, no luck. I tried the Steam integrity check, and while it replaced one file, it didn't solve the problem

EDIT: whoa, and the next time I tried to launch it worked!

[USMC Kato]

Lucky I bought both Xbox and pc. I'm having the steam launcher issue, so the xbox copy has my full attention. The graphics disparity isn't as huge between xbox and pc this time around 

[Harpua3]

Lucky I bought both Xbox and pc. I'm having the steam launcher issue, so the xbox copy has my full attention. The graphics disparity isn't as huge between xbox and pc this time around 

On that note the ps3 version is pretty slick looking as well.

[CeeKay]

Minecraft Easter Egg.

[Azhag]

Played more than I should have already today single player... and I think a friend is playing later tonight so I might have to start a second character

[jztemple2]

From the developer: Golden Keys - Important Details, Instructions and Information

What, you already used your Golden Key? Oops

[The Grue]

From the developer: Golden Keys - Important Details, Instructions and Information

What, you already used your Golden Key? Oops

I just assume it worked that way.  In fact, I think they tell you that in the game.

[Harpua3]

Played more than I should have already today single player... and I think a friend is playing later tonight so I might have to start a second character

Ps3?

[jztemple2]

I went back to complete a bonus mission before I moved on to Sanctuary and it must have run me almost an hour . I won't spoil it, but I was pleased on how really well the layout was designed. What I wasn't so thrilled about was the apparent constant spawning enemies till I had killed the boss which then seemed to keep spawning for a while afterwards. Maybe I missed something in the mission. Anyway...

So far the game is fun. The icy environment is interesting and different, although not necessarily better than BL1. I like the new loot containers, especially the new "treasure chests"

Spoiler for Hiden:

a porta-potty. Cute

I'm not so keen on the new save points. The ones in BL1 really stood out, these seem to be harder to find.

I'm loving my new Sabre Turret. Seriously, I'm thinking of taking it out to the movies and dancing.

One note on something regarding shields we discussed before the game came out. I'll put it in spoilers but if you're playing Axton and are already at least a couple of hours in, you'll have come across this, but don't look if you want to be surprised:

Spoiler for Hiden:

I'm up to level eight and I have yet to come across a shield that regenerates health, so I'm opting for Axton's survival skill that adds health regen as a skill. I'll be kicking myself if I come across a shield later on that has this, but right now it's a literal lifesaver for my character.

[Soulchilde]

Played up to lvl 7 with Zero and I'm loving it.  Looking into getting in some co-op.  Saw, Jarrod and Moriarity playing last night but I had to get to bed    Counting the hours till I get off.


Sniper rifle spec

[hepcat]

Put in about 2 1/2 hours last night and took Zero to lvl 7.  Can I start another character for comparison's sake without overwriting my other character's progress?

The only thing that annoys me about the game right now is the inventory screen.  Since I wasn't a fan of the first game's implementation of this function, that's no surprise.  However, on the PC I seem to be more annoyed with it.  And maybe it's just me but the inventory, journal, etc. all seem sort of washed out in appearance and the resolution seems oddly low.  Everything else looks great though.

I'm really enjoying it apart from those minor nitpicks though.  I like that the difficulty seems to have been ramped up.  I got my butt handed to me on one of the first boss fights because I was runnin' and gunnin' instead of thinkin'.  That, to me, is a sign of a well made game.   

[jztemple2]

The only thing that annoys me about the game right now is the inventory screen.  Since I wasn't a fan of the first game's implementation of this function, that's no surprise.  However, on the PC I seem to be more annoyed with it.  And maybe it's just me but the inventory, journal, etc. all seem sort of washed out in appearance and the resolution seems oddly low. 

You aren't alone in this. In creating that 3D effect it seems to be fuzzy, plus at times my character is in front of some of the items. Maybe it looks better on the PC. Anyway, it's a nuisance rather than a problem.

I'm up to level 9 and having fun, although I can't even mention what so tickled me with having to use a lot of spoiler tags, so I'll wait until folks have gotten more into the game.

BTW, did anyone get the hardcover strategy guide?

[The Grue]

I went back to complete a bonus mission before I moved on to Sanctuary and it must have run me almost an hour . I won't spoil it, but I was pleased on how really well the layout was designed. What I wasn't so thrilled about was the apparent constant spawning enemies till I had killed the boss which then seemed to keep spawning for a while afterwards. Maybe I missed something in the mission. Anyway...

Can you fast travel back there once you get to Sanctuary?  I want to do the couple of side missions I still have in the area, but figured I could just warp back there once I got to Sanctuary.  Hopefully that is true.  If not then .