14 DAY TRIAL // Gearbox Software has unveiled a few more details about its next big game, Borderlands 2, and how it’s going to have plenty of new and improved features, as opposed to its predecessor.
Borderlands 1 delivered a surprisingly impressive experience, allowing players to go on all sorts of adventures while wielding millions of different guns and controlling one of four different character classes.
With the sequel, the gun count has once again increased, just like the number of character classes, which now goes up to five, if you factor in the newly announced Mechromancer that will appear as DLC after the game’s launch in September.
Gearbox’s Matt Charles, the producer of Borderlands 2, has now talked about two classes in the game, the Gunzerker, which is an evolution of the original’s Berserker, and the Siren, which makes a full-on comeback from the first game.
“The Gunzerker and Siren classes have made great strides compared to their counterparts from the original game. Players who choose to play as Salvador will be able to use his Gunzerking ability to run into a crowd with two guns blazing. If you played the first game, you may recognize this as an evolution of Brick’s Berserking skill.”
“Meanwhile, Maya’s new Siren skill Phaselock isolates an enemy inside a phase bubble for a short time. Once you’ve Phaselocked a target, your primary choice is whether to focus your fire on the helpless foe before it breaks free or mop up any other threats nearby.”
Plenty of things have been done to the user interface, which is now much easier to navigate and even has a better layout when playing cooperatively via the local split-screen option. What’s more, Borderlands 2 now has a minimap on the screen, meaning you won’t have to go through the menu just to access the map or guide yourself with the clunky compass.
The game’s guns, while they’re still quite numerous, will now sport different abilities based on their manufacturer.
“This is Borderlands, so you know we’re aiming to include lots and lots of guns. What’s new about Borderlands 2 weapons, though, is that they’re much more supportive of any given play style. Hate long reload times? Try a Tediore gun. Prefer sturdy, burst-fire weapons? Pick up a Dahl-branded weapon. We’ve made sure that each weapon manufacturer brings something unique and interesting to the table. Finding the perfect combination of gear for each situation is all part of the fun (especially as the Gunzerker!)”
Borderlands 2 is coming out in September for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 platforms.