Let me start this off by saying no, I have not picked up Borderlands 2 yet. But, I have played the first one. I'm also not happy about getting this article more page views.
My boyfriend linked this article to me, and boy did it make me upset. We both decided that even though the people commenting on this review have got it right, I still needed to verbalize how he failed to generate a joy puke in me.
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2012/09/18/game-theory-borderlands-2-fails-to-generate-joy-puke/
From the beginning it's obvious that Adam Najberg either never played the first Borderlands or didn't like it. Either way, why would you review the sequel?
Every fact that he gives seems to be from other articles and stats about the game. Any self-generated opinions he has are thoughts in comparison to what other people are saying and not from his own experience. In the end, video games are about the enjoyment YOU are getting out of them, not what a bunch of news reporters say, right? If you're not into the game, fine. Say why you aren't into the game and who might be into it. It's completely unfair to say the game is shitty when it's just not your cup of tea.
I know it's not his cup of tea because he insists on comparing this Western FPS/Role-Playing Shooter (as he even says it is dubbed as) to COD, Black Ops, BF and Halo. If those are the kinds of games that you like to play and want to see games emulate, then play them. Don't expect a game developer who has already set themselves apart from the other games to conform to the needs of a bunch of screaming pre-teens. That isn't their audience. You are not their audience. Yes, they have a very different style of graphics, but that's one of the reasons why Borderlands fans picked up the game in the first place. They were interested in something other than complete realism.
Of course there are a lot of 'feast-or-famine' elements to the game. It's a role playing game. That's what most role playing games have. You also level up your character, chose where to put skill points, and get new gear. You do not like role playing games, so don't play or review a role playing FPS game. Simple.
The thought of the game not having an 'updated multi-player mode' flabbergasted me. Could you imagine 18 people from all over trying to go through the story line with some semblance of order? It's difficult enough with four people, even trying to share ammo, health pick ups and weapons.
I am also offended that Claptrap was compared to the loveable Star Wars droids. Blergh.
His article does a good job of explaining the game to people who have never played or even heard of either Borderlands, but the way he compares it to other FPS games might turn people off. Well, who knows, it might turn the right people off so they're not going in expecting to be playing Black Ops.
And then he put this game on the same level as a Nascar game. Really? It read like he ate some chili con queso and shit out that whole paragraph.
And then it hit me: Maybe he is batting for the other team. He sure does do a lot of bashing and then slides in when Black Ops 2 and Halo are supposed to be out. Hmmm. Oh well - I still plan on getting Borderlands 2 at some point and enjoying the shit out of it. If it happens to be a shittier game in comparison to the first Borderlands, I'll let you know.
If you want some more luls, read the 1274 (in counting) comments on his review. Kevin and I were in side-splitting laughter and enjoyed reading them more than the review itself.
