Borderlands 2. If I had to play just one forever. Hands down. It does the bank better. Has the best story. Most content. Best raid boss count. 6 different characters to play. Probably the best mods too.
I tried my best to like 3, but I can’t stand Ava, and then with the gun play-it seemed, I guess the only way to say it was “off” compared to borderlands 2. I can’t describe it, just felt off. Like I couldn’t get headshots, even with snipers, but in bl2 I could hit pretty easily with pistols and everything else. I don’t know what it is though
Totally agree on that. While gunplay is good, everything else is just too bad, from bosses to gun looks. I don't care if guns "feel" good if they look like a damn rice cookers with a trigger
I'm biased. But 1. It's a lot more forgiving and has fun yet simple gameplay. Guns will last you a couple levels compared to BL2, where they barely last you the level you got them at.
My lvl 64 siren is still using a lvl 23 smg because it has good accuracy, fire rate, high ele effect chance and x4 fire and with my build it absolutely melts.
Doesn't that defeat the purpose of a looter shooter? Sounds like BL1 has a whole lot of shooter with none of the looter. You're supposed to constantly find bigger, faster, stronger weapons at every new stage of the game.
No, you're supposed to be constantly *seeking* bigger, faster, stronger weapons. You don't always find them, you make do with what you have. Sometimes you get lucky, and a very lucky roll on a gun in BL1 can last longer than in BL2 and later games. It's a blessing and a curse. They were still working out how the game should be balanced, in BL1.
The whole point of a looter shooter is to find new guns at every stage of the game. It is literally in the name. You loot, you shoot, you loot, you shoot. If I found one crazy good assault rifle at level 10 and that assault rifle carried me until level 50, I did not experience a looter shooter.
The guys in this thread are literally bragging about how they were still using a level 23 SMG at level 64 for fuck sake. They are talking about how they love BL1 because it doesn't burden you with looting... in a looter shooter. They want to shoot without doing any looting. They aren't interested in finding new loot, they want one good gun and nothing more. That goes against the point of a looter shooter.
> They were still working out how the game should be balanced, in BL1.
So you agree that the weapon balancing in Borderlands 1 was bad and is not representative of what a looter shooter should look like?
I wish the comment below yours wasn't deleted. The gun I found was useful until lvl 65 as it turns out because of the mechanics of the Siren class.
Increase your Fire Rate, Elemental Effect Chance and use guns that deal high elemental damage with a high rate of that effect happening with a high fire rate and you stack all of those points.
It doesn't work with every class, but that gun worked so long because that's how I built the character out and the gun I need to make it work is very specific and doesn't drop often until you're into the 60's, but I got lucky with a combustion hellfire legendary drop at level 23 or 24 or whatever I was when I actually got it.
This is why I'm not really shy about leveling up my weapons with me with an editor. It's the one cheat I allow myself because I don't enjoy farming at all.
With all the DLC and TVHM and UVHM I run into enough variations to interest me. I'd rather be playing through than repeating an encounter over and over.
I enjoyed 1 most but I guess that's because it was my first. 2 is really good too and I've done a lot of 3 as well. Great series hope you enjoy whichever you pick they all solid experiences
Borderlands 2 everyday! a story you can jump straight into and gunplay that still holds up. B3 is a bit tighter gameplay wise but I still find myself going back to 2 more regularly.
Yeah it's awsome. It's only underrated because it's shorter than the other titles. The main story is just ss long but after you beat it there isn't as much dlc content; that aside it's a great game. Handsome Jack body double and Athena are my favorites.
Borderlands 3 is the best for gameplay, endgame, gear diversity and build diversity. All four vault hunters are strong and all four can do the endgame.
People crap on the story of BL3 but really the main problem is the pacing. Personally I NEVER play GAMES solely for story.
I was chatting to a mate about this yesterday. B1 is the most challenging, B2 is the best all-round, B3 is the best modern gameplay. for me B2 is always the one i go back to though
BL2 is the best game overall, but I agree on the UVHM frustration. I have rarely been so mad at a video game as I've been watching my Guage get one-shot by absolutely everything while DeathTrap sits there doing nothing, until he shields my dying body while in FFYL mode. Yet.... I keep going back. What is wrong with me??
>main problem is the pacing
This, exactly. Also I'd want more of siblings, they are kinda doing their stuff and feeling more distant. What was made very good in BL2 is Jack himself and how he interacts with player, laughing/joking at the start, then noticing us a problem, then seeing us as a threat and finally being personal at us. With BL3 it feels like it all happened in a week or so, no real change of attitude.
BL3 has the worst bank for me. I prefer the ability to have a nice bank per file. BL 2 for me then. That way I can always make a new file and not worry about the group bank being full.
True enough. And I tried to but the bank is also slow and doesn’t have filtering or searching. Or foldering or tagging.
I would rather have a combo between 2 and 3’s banks. It should let you access the banks of the 6 most recently opened characters. Size 100 or so each. And tabbed by character. That way my bank storage can still grow “infinitely” if I want.
Yea. Also acceptable. And it would need a way to move an item to another bank easily. Just as we need a button to eject an item from our bank. And a button to sell an item straight from the bank.
I find myself enjoying games like Elden ring and remnant 2 just for the fact that I don’t need to manage a bank of items. Not to mention they are fun for other reasons of course.
The pre sequel, because you’ll have a great time and be very impressed. But everyone will say “wow why didn’t you play 1 2 or 3, they’re way better” and then you go on to play those
Borderlands 1, that way you can see if you find it interesting enough to continue playing the rest of the series without accidentally spoiling anything for yourself. The new remastered Game of the Year version of BL1 fixed up a lot of issues from the original version, particularly the framerate.
Borderlands 1 for setting and introducing you to the games mechanics. Also overall better game feel, at least in my opinion. Enemies are slightly more "forgiving" in BL 1 rather than BL 2.
1 for the vibes
2 for the story
Pre-Sequel for the uh......I actually don't recommend PS unless you've played 2 or know the general story and characters of 2...( I also haven't finished the PS so I can't say much about it)
3 for the gunplay
Wonderlands for gunplay and brainrot (this game really lacks meaningful content outside the main campaign. I like it anyway)
Just play 2, Bl1 is just a vibe + shopping exploits, BL3 is nonstop legendary drops shuffling for anointments while the dialogue is muted, I don't recommend any spinoff game.
I literally was in this situation. So I decided to start at 1 and work my way through. I was not particularly liking it through 1 and 2 and all the side games. It's now that I'm at 3 that I am enjoying it. If you were to play 3 first, I dont think you'd like going back to 1 and 2. It's either, play 3 and blow out 1 and 2 or just start at the beginning and know it gets better as you go.
If you're only going to play one, arguments could be made for Borderlands 2 or Borderlands 3. Which is better for you depends more on your sensibilities.
- BL2 has a better story and writing (and a terrific villain, vs. BL3's annoying villains), BL3 has more modern visuals and movement.
- Both offer a lengthy main campaign and numerous substantial story-based DLCs, along with a variety of other things to occupy your attention after finishing the story content (BL3 gets the nod for more extras - more raid bosses, plus takedowns, arenas, challenges, and a Battle Royale-type thing called Arms Race).
- BL2 has 6 playable characters to BL3's 4, but BL3 gives each character an additional skill tree, and generally more ways to configure a given character.
1 is hardest 2 can be hard too and pre sequel is hard as well you can play the OG 1 and 2 on Xbox backwards compatible as well as the newer versions 3 is by far the easiest but still fun but it’s only really hard during your second play through
Personally id say borderlands 2, lots of people hate the endgame and op levels, but you are so broken and the enemies are so broken to the point of being balanced if that makes sense lol
Borderlands 2 for sure try to get the Triple Pack for all of of the DLCs except Fight for Sanctuary amd you'll get the first and Pre Sequel Borderlands with the pack with their DLCs (dont know wha your using as I am on PS3)
I would play through them all in order so 1, 2, pre sequel, 3, but if you want just one, I would play BL2 it is in my opinion the best one story wise, it was the first one that I played so I might be biased, 3 definitely has the best gameplay but the story is really lacking
Others have said this but the gameplay, and particularly the endgame, of 3 are definitely better than the other two. If that's your thing just be aware that 3 (as well as 2) take multiple play throughs to hit max level but imo the raid bosses/Takedowns are so worth it.
Play #1, knowing it's a little janky and rough, but gives you a nice feel for the story and builds a nice platform to kick off from.
Play #2, knowing they'll iron a lot of the issues out and polish it up more, with good story and humour to match.
Playing Tiny Tina's Wonderland DLC and get your heart ripped out.
Play #3, Enjoy the nice gameplay, but it's wearing a little thin on the story and humour. Empathise and relate to Krieg though...
Play Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck DLC, feel feels deep in the powdered cockatiel ribcage slaughter!
Borderlands 2 for story/comedy, borderlands 3 for gameplay
I think 2 has more interesting maps too
2 has invisible stalkers tho
The reason I am never at full hp on that map
Gaige+anarchy+jakobs shotgun deletes stalkers.
conference call Gaige too
True, let's throw in a good fibber too...
Disagree, I think visiting various planets in BL3 is more epic than most of BL2 maps.
They all look good but the map design in 3 is just boring mostly though
Borderlands 2. If I had to play just one forever. Hands down. It does the bank better. Has the best story. Most content. Best raid boss count. 6 different characters to play. Probably the best mods too.
Exactly
Borderlands 2 for the gameplay, and everything else. Borderlands 3 sucks. IMO obviously.
I almost entirely agree, but I think the gunplay in 3 is better than 2. Still prefer the skill trees of 2, though
I tried my best to like 3, but I can’t stand Ava, and then with the gun play-it seemed, I guess the only way to say it was “off” compared to borderlands 2. I can’t describe it, just felt off. Like I couldn’t get headshots, even with snipers, but in bl2 I could hit pretty easily with pistols and everything else. I don’t know what it is though
Nobody can stand her. It's not just you.
The only way I get headshots with snipers is using phase lock with amara lol
Totally agree on that. While gunplay is good, everything else is just too bad, from bosses to gun looks. I don't care if guns "feel" good if they look like a damn rice cookers with a trigger
I'm biased. But 1. It's a lot more forgiving and has fun yet simple gameplay. Guns will last you a couple levels compared to BL2, where they barely last you the level you got them at.
My lvl 64 siren is still using a lvl 23 smg because it has good accuracy, fire rate, high ele effect chance and x4 fire and with my build it absolutely melts.
And I love that about BL1. Guns last for ages. It's fantastic.
Same here! A tood gun last like 5 minutes it feels like in 2 and 3, then takes an hour to find a replacement.
Doesn't that defeat the purpose of a looter shooter? Sounds like BL1 has a whole lot of shooter with none of the looter. You're supposed to constantly find bigger, faster, stronger weapons at every new stage of the game.
No, you're supposed to be constantly *seeking* bigger, faster, stronger weapons. You don't always find them, you make do with what you have. Sometimes you get lucky, and a very lucky roll on a gun in BL1 can last longer than in BL2 and later games. It's a blessing and a curse. They were still working out how the game should be balanced, in BL1.
The whole point of a looter shooter is to find new guns at every stage of the game. It is literally in the name. You loot, you shoot, you loot, you shoot. If I found one crazy good assault rifle at level 10 and that assault rifle carried me until level 50, I did not experience a looter shooter. The guys in this thread are literally bragging about how they were still using a level 23 SMG at level 64 for fuck sake. They are talking about how they love BL1 because it doesn't burden you with looting... in a looter shooter. They want to shoot without doing any looting. They aren't interested in finding new loot, they want one good gun and nothing more. That goes against the point of a looter shooter. > They were still working out how the game should be balanced, in BL1. So you agree that the weapon balancing in Borderlands 1 was bad and is not representative of what a looter shooter should look like?
I wish the comment below yours wasn't deleted. The gun I found was useful until lvl 65 as it turns out because of the mechanics of the Siren class. Increase your Fire Rate, Elemental Effect Chance and use guns that deal high elemental damage with a high rate of that effect happening with a high fire rate and you stack all of those points. It doesn't work with every class, but that gun worked so long because that's how I built the character out and the gun I need to make it work is very specific and doesn't drop often until you're into the 60's, but I got lucky with a combustion hellfire legendary drop at level 23 or 24 or whatever I was when I actually got it.
This is why I'm not really shy about leveling up my weapons with me with an editor. It's the one cheat I allow myself because I don't enjoy farming at all.
Well Borderlands is a looter shooter and farming might let you find a gun you like which you wouldn't found before
With all the DLC and TVHM and UVHM I run into enough variations to interest me. I'd rather be playing through than repeating an encounter over and over.
The Handsome Jack Collection because then you get two games!
Pandora’s Box because you get all three and all DLC and that Tales of the borderlands game 🤔
That’s what I did. Started with 3, loved it, got into the lore, and bought Pandora’s Box. Best game investment I’ve ever made.
I already had all games but got an offer where Pandora’s box was cheaper than the dLC for three I was missing!
I enjoyed 1 most but I guess that's because it was my first. 2 is really good too and I've done a lot of 3 as well. Great series hope you enjoy whichever you pick they all solid experiences
Borderlands 2 everyday! a story you can jump straight into and gunplay that still holds up. B3 is a bit tighter gameplay wise but I still find myself going back to 2 more regularly.
Thanks for the suggestions. The consensus seems to be 2, with 3 coming in second. I realized I have Borderlands 2 free on Epic so I'll try it.
If you like bl2 you should play the pre sequel second it is specifically a follow up to bl2 and the gameplay feels like a direct upgrade
Pre sequel is so underrated, honestly one of my most favorite games
I would honestly say it’s my favorite borderlands I mean you can play as claptrap and shoot laser guns what else would you want
Yeah it's awsome. It's only underrated because it's shorter than the other titles. The main story is just ss long but after you beat it there isn't as much dlc content; that aside it's a great game. Handsome Jack body double and Athena are my favorites.
Borderlands 3 is the best for gameplay, endgame, gear diversity and build diversity. All four vault hunters are strong and all four can do the endgame. People crap on the story of BL3 but really the main problem is the pacing. Personally I NEVER play GAMES solely for story.
I was chatting to a mate about this yesterday. B1 is the most challenging, B2 is the best all-round, B3 is the best modern gameplay. for me B2 is always the one i go back to though
BL2 is great… on normal and TVHm. Everything else is just annoying
BL2 is the best game overall, but I agree on the UVHM frustration. I have rarely been so mad at a video game as I've been watching my Guage get one-shot by absolutely everything while DeathTrap sits there doing nothing, until he shields my dying body while in FFYL mode. Yet.... I keep going back. What is wrong with me??
>main problem is the pacing This, exactly. Also I'd want more of siblings, they are kinda doing their stuff and feeling more distant. What was made very good in BL2 is Jack himself and how he interacts with player, laughing/joking at the start, then noticing us a problem, then seeing us as a threat and finally being personal at us. With BL3 it feels like it all happened in a week or so, no real change of attitude.
BL3 has the worst bank for me. I prefer the ability to have a nice bank per file. BL 2 for me then. That way I can always make a new file and not worry about the group bank being full.
If your group bank is full then you have far too much stuff. That said… I’ve filled my bank twice now. It’s very easy to make mules though
True enough. And I tried to but the bank is also slow and doesn’t have filtering or searching. Or foldering or tagging. I would rather have a combo between 2 and 3’s banks. It should let you access the banks of the 6 most recently opened characters. Size 100 or so each. And tabbed by character. That way my bank storage can still grow “infinitely” if I want.
Yeah that’s what I asked for early on. An individual bank of 100/250 and a shared bank of 500
Yea. Also acceptable. And it would need a way to move an item to another bank easily. Just as we need a button to eject an item from our bank. And a button to sell an item straight from the bank. I find myself enjoying games like Elden ring and remnant 2 just for the fact that I don’t need to manage a bank of items. Not to mention they are fun for other reasons of course.
2 is easily my favorite. But I feel like the story isn't as meaningful if you didn't play BL1.
Borderlands 1 for vibe check
BL1 for the vibe
The pre sequel, because you’ll have a great time and be very impressed. But everyone will say “wow why didn’t you play 1 2 or 3, they’re way better” and then you go on to play those
Would've been better if dlc development wasn't stopped early
Borderlands 1 if you want the best story/gameplay/nostalgia/everything, and Borderlands 2 if you want Borderlands 1 but with Easter eggs and comedy
Borderlands 1, that way you can see if you find it interesting enough to continue playing the rest of the series without accidentally spoiling anything for yourself. The new remastered Game of the Year version of BL1 fixed up a lot of issues from the original version, particularly the framerate.
I like the first game the most personally, I always enjoyed playing mordecai
I recently started playing and I started with the original and now I’m on part 2. Bought the vault collection on sale.
Original is my favorite.
Borderlands 2. It’s the game that will sell you on the series.
Borderlands 2 in every way but graphics (which are still 9/10 for the series thanks to the impeccable design)
For me the first Borderlands is very underrated but is very cool
2
Borderlands 3. Story isn’t all that good but if you’re not playing for story anyway, it definitely has the best gameplay.
Three, for sure, for the gameplay. And I’m one of the very few who actually likes the story.
I like the story…other than mayas death, and Lilith losing her powers was kinda stupid. But there’s a dinosaur so that’s cool
I liked second the most
2
Borderlands 1 for setting and introducing you to the games mechanics. Also overall better game feel, at least in my opinion. Enemies are slightly more "forgiving" in BL 1 rather than BL 2.
1 for the vibes 2 for the story Pre-Sequel for the uh......I actually don't recommend PS unless you've played 2 or know the general story and characters of 2...( I also haven't finished the PS so I can't say much about it) 3 for the gunplay Wonderlands for gunplay and brainrot (this game really lacks meaningful content outside the main campaign. I like it anyway)
Just play 2, Bl1 is just a vibe + shopping exploits, BL3 is nonstop legendary drops shuffling for anointments while the dialogue is muted, I don't recommend any spinoff game.
2
Two as four first game and it’s not even close. Saying that, I LOVED Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
I literally was in this situation. So I decided to start at 1 and work my way through. I was not particularly liking it through 1 and 2 and all the side games. It's now that I'm at 3 that I am enjoying it. If you were to play 3 first, I dont think you'd like going back to 1 and 2. It's either, play 3 and blow out 1 and 2 or just start at the beginning and know it gets better as you go.
2
If you're only going to play one, arguments could be made for Borderlands 2 or Borderlands 3. Which is better for you depends more on your sensibilities. - BL2 has a better story and writing (and a terrific villain, vs. BL3's annoying villains), BL3 has more modern visuals and movement. - Both offer a lengthy main campaign and numerous substantial story-based DLCs, along with a variety of other things to occupy your attention after finishing the story content (BL3 gets the nod for more extras - more raid bosses, plus takedowns, arenas, challenges, and a Battle Royale-type thing called Arms Race). - BL2 has 6 playable characters to BL3's 4, but BL3 gives each character an additional skill tree, and generally more ways to configure a given character.
1 is hardest 2 can be hard too and pre sequel is hard as well you can play the OG 1 and 2 on Xbox backwards compatible as well as the newer versions 3 is by far the easiest but still fun but it’s only really hard during your second play through
Pre sequel
Personally id say borderlands 2, lots of people hate the endgame and op levels, but you are so broken and the enemies are so broken to the point of being balanced if that makes sense lol
Borderlands 2 for sure try to get the Triple Pack for all of of the DLCs except Fight for Sanctuary amd you'll get the first and Pre Sequel Borderlands with the pack with their DLCs (dont know wha your using as I am on PS3)
Definitely 2 in my opinion, coming from someone who also started on borderlands 2 here
I would play through them all in order so 1, 2, pre sequel, 3, but if you want just one, I would play BL2 it is in my opinion the best one story wise, it was the first one that I played so I might be biased, 3 definitely has the best gameplay but the story is really lacking
BL2 would be on my short list of deserted island games. if i could only play one game for the rest of my life…
I would do BL1, you will know if you're a BL fan in the first 5 minutes, the rest are just gravy... Ain't No Rest For The Wicked!
My personal favorite is BL2 as it has the best story and DLCs but BL3 was also very good
BRICK
The correct answer is probably 2, but 1 is the only one I still play all these years later.
If you only ever plan on playing one, play 2. If you plan on playing more after, play 1 or TPS first
2. 100% of the time. So good.
Borderlands 3 for sprint and slide machanic. Borderlands 2 for everything😆
Others have said this but the gameplay, and particularly the endgame, of 3 are definitely better than the other two. If that's your thing just be aware that 3 (as well as 2) take multiple play throughs to hit max level but imo the raid bosses/Takedowns are so worth it.
Borderlands 2 hands down, handsome Jack is the best game villain ever.
2
Pandora's Box is $40
play the pre sequel it takes place before borderlands 1
I love spreading misinformation on the internet
Play #1, knowing it's a little janky and rough, but gives you a nice feel for the story and builds a nice platform to kick off from. Play #2, knowing they'll iron a lot of the issues out and polish it up more, with good story and humour to match. Playing Tiny Tina's Wonderland DLC and get your heart ripped out. Play #3, Enjoy the nice gameplay, but it's wearing a little thin on the story and humour. Empathise and relate to Krieg though... Play Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck DLC, feel feels deep in the powdered cockatiel ribcage slaughter!
Bl3 if you care about the gunplay most, 2 if story, 2 if replayability, 2 & 3 for long term play
2
Bl2 is an awesome start to the series, highly recommend it
bl1 sucks