Borderlands Game of the Year Review PC

Borderlands: Game of the Year Enhanced for PC is a remastered version of the original 2009 looter-shooter that modernizes the classic with welcome quality-of-life updates and visual upgrades. While it’s a nostalgic and fun experience, especially in co-op, its sequels have surpassed it in gameplay refinement, and some aspects feel dated. 

Key improvements in the Enhanced edition

• Quality-of-life improvements: The most praised updates are the additions borrowed from later Borderlands games. These include an on-screen mini-map, an improved inventory system that lets you “junk” unwanted items in bulk, and the auto-pickup of money, ammo, and health.
• Visual and performance upgrades: The signature cel-shaded art style holds up well, and the remaster enhances it with improved character models, textures, and lighting. On PC, the game runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, which many found a great improvement over the original’s performance.
• All DLC included: The package comes with all four original add-on packs, providing a significant amount of additional content and replay value.
• Updated mechanics: There are six new legendary weapons, and the final boss fight has been tweaked to be more engaging (though some critics still found it underwhelming).

The remastered experience for PC

• Returning players: For those who played the original, the Enhanced edition offers a more streamlined and visually polished replay experience. It’s a great way to re-experience the franchise’s origin, and existing owners on Steam received the upgrade for free.
• New players: As the most definitive version of the first game, it’s the best entry point for newcomers. However, many reviews suggest that later games in the series, particularly Borderlands 2, feature more refined gameplay, a more engaging story, and a richer world. New players should be prepared for a slower, simpler experience compared to the sequels.

Dated and unpolished elements

• Gameplay and structure: The gunplay feels less refined than in later titles, and the mission structure can feel repetitive, often consisting of generic fetch quests.
• World design: Compared to the varied environments of the sequels, Pandora’s original setting can feel desolate and drab, with reviewers noting a heavy use of brown and gray textures.
• Minor technical issues: Despite the improvements, some small bugs from the original can still appear, such as getting stuck on environmental geometry.
• Final boss fight: Though adjusted, the final boss is still widely considered a weak and anticlimactic encounter that is disappointingly easy.

The verdict

Borderlands: Game of the Year Enhanced is the best version of a classic and influential game. Its quality-of-life updates successfully address many of the original’s frustrations, and it provides a fun cooperative experience with an addictive loot system. However, the game’s age and design show compared to its more polished and dynamic sequels. While highly recommended for fans who want a modern replay or completionists exploring the series, new players seeking the best Borderlands experience might be better served by starting with the more refined Borderlands 2 before returning to the original.