Borderlands 3, developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K Games, is the highly anticipated sequel in the beloved Borderlands franchise. Launched in September 2019, this action-packed first-person shooter keeps the series’ signature blend of over-the-top gunplay, dark humor, and vividly stylized graphics intact. As players dive back into the lawless world of Pandora and beyond, they will encounter a wealth of chaotic adventures, bizarre characters, and an arsenal of unique weapons to keep the action fresh and exhilarating.
Staying true to its role-playing roots, Borderlands 3 introduces new Vault Hunters, each equipped with distinctive abilities and skill trees that allow for personalized playstyles. With the addition of expansive environments, an engaging storyline, and multiple multiplayer options, the game pushes the envelope of what fans can expect from a Borderlands experience. Whether you’re a returning veteran or a newcomer to the series, Borderlands 3 promises an engaging, explosive journey that will leave you craving for more.
Game Plot
Borderlands 3 thrusts players back into the anarchic world of Pandora, where lawlessness is the order of the day. The story kicks off with the emergence of two formidable antagonists, the Calypso Twins, who are on a sinister quest to unite the bandit clans and harness the power of the Vaults scattered across the galaxy. These twins, Tyreen and Troy Calypso, command a legion of devoted followers known as the Children of the Vault, amping up the stakes for our protagonists.
Players step into the shoes of one of four new Vault Hunters: Amara the Siren, FL4K the Beastmaster, Moze the Gunner, and Zane the Operative, each bringing their own unique skills and abilities to the table. As these Vault Hunters, players will embark on a galaxy-spanning adventure filled with relentless action, hunting for powerful loot, and curbing the Calypso Twins’ plans. Along the way, they’ll encounter a colorful cast of allies and adversaries, navigate diverse landscapes beyond Pandora, and uncover hidden secrets that drive the game’s thrilling narrative forward.
Prices for Borderlands 3
| Store | Price | Discount | Buy Link |
|---|---|---|---|
 Stadia Store | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
 GameStop | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
| Stadia Store | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
| Stadia Store | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
 Zatu Games | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
 365 Games | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
 Amazon | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
 Hit | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
 CeX | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
 Coolshop (UK) | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
 GAME | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
| GameStop | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
| Zatu Games | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
| GAME | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
 2Game | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
 Green Man Gaming | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
| 2Game | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
| 2Game | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
| Coolshop (UK) | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
 DreamGame | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
| DreamGame | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
| 365 Games | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
| Amazon | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
| Hit | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
| CeX | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
 Instant Gaming | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
 SimplyGames | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
| Instant Gaming | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
| SimplyGames | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
 Best Buy | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
 G2A | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
| Best Buy | Not Available | None | Buy Now |
 Kinguin | $5.1 | None | Buy Now |
 GameBillet | $5.2 | 91% OFF | Buy Now |
| GameBillet | $5.2 | 91% OFF | Buy Now |
| Green Man Gaming | $5.22 | 91% OFF | Buy Now |
| Green Man Gaming | $5.22 | 91% OFF | Buy Now |
 GamersGate | $5.34 | 89% OFF | Buy Now |
| GamersGate | $5.34 | 89% OFF | Buy Now |
 Fanatical | $5.51 | 90% OFF | Buy Now |
| 2Game | $5.7 | 89% OFF | Buy Now |
| Fanatical | $5.97 | 90% OFF | Buy Now |
 HRK Game | $5.97 | None | Buy Now |
 Microsoft Store | $5.99 | 90% OFF | Buy Now |
 GamesPlanet | $5.99 | 90% OFF | Buy Now |
 Humble Store | $5.99 | 90% OFF | Buy Now |
 WinGameStore | $5.99 | 90% OFF | Buy Now |
 PlayStation Store | $5.99 | 90% OFF | Buy Now |
| GamesPlanet | $5.99 | 90% OFF | Buy Now |
| Humble Store | $5.99 | 90% OFF | Buy Now |
| HRK Game | $6.42 | None | Buy Now |
 Eneba | $6.99 | None | Buy Now |
| HRK Game | $7.14 | None | Buy Now |
| Instant Gaming | $7.17 | None | Buy Now |
| G2A | $7.23 | None | Buy Now |
| Eneba | $7.27 | None | Buy Now |
 Games Republic | $7.35 | 88% OFF | Buy Now |
 Gaming Dragons | $8.66 | None | Buy Now |
 Gamivo | $10.23 | None | Buy Now |
 CDKeys | $11.69 | None | Buy Now |
| Kinguin | $11.92 | None | Buy Now |
| GameBillet | $13.81 | 82% OFF | Buy Now |
| GameBillet | $13.81 | 82% OFF | Buy Now |
| Green Man Gaming | $13.92 | 82% OFF | Buy Now |
| Green Man Gaming | $13.92 | 82% OFF | Buy Now |
| CDKeys | $13.99 | None | Buy Now |
| GamersGate | $14.24 | 79% OFF | Buy Now |
| GamersGate | $14.24 | 79% OFF | Buy Now |
| Fanatical | $14.39 | 82% OFF | Buy Now |
| 2Game | $15.2 | 79% OFF | Buy Now |
| GamesPlanet | $15.25 | 80% OFF | Buy Now |
| GamesPlanet | $15.25 | 80% OFF | Buy Now |
| Fanatical | $15.47 | 82% OFF | Buy Now |
| PlayStation Store | $15.99 | 80% OFF | Buy Now |
 Epic Games Store | $15.99 | 80% OFF | Buy Now |
| Microsoft Store | $15.99 | 80% OFF | Buy Now |
| Humble Store | $15.99 | 80% OFF | Buy Now |
| WinGameStore | $15.99 | 80% OFF | Buy Now |
| Humble Store | $15.99 | 80% OFF | Buy Now |
| Gamivo | $17.58 | None | Buy Now |
| Games Republic | $18.91 | 76% OFF | Buy Now |
| Instant Gaming | $19.78 | None | Buy Now |
| GameBillet | $21.58 | 78% OFF | Buy Now |
| GameBillet | $21.58 | 78% OFF | Buy Now |
| CDKeys | $21.69 | None | Buy Now |
| Green Man Gaming | $21.75 | 78% OFF | Buy Now |
| Green Man Gaming | $21.75 | 78% OFF | Buy Now |
| GamersGate | $22.25 | 74% OFF | Buy Now |
| GamersGate | $22.25 | 74% OFF | Buy Now |
 GameFly | $22.39 | None | Buy Now |
| GamesPlanet | $23.49 | 76% OFF | Buy Now |
| GamesPlanet | $23.49 | 76% OFF | Buy Now |
| 2Game | $23.75 | 74% OFF | Buy Now |
| Humble Store | $24.99 | 75% OFF | Buy Now |
| WinGameStore | $24.99 | 75% OFF | Buy Now |
| Humble Store | $24.99 | 75% OFF | Buy Now |
| G2A | $26.37 | None | Buy Now |
| GameFly | $30.15 | None | Buy Now |
| WinGameStore | $54.99 | 8% OFF | Buy Now |
 IndieGala | $59.99 | None | Buy Now |
 Steam | $59.99 | None | Buy Now |
| IndieGala | $59.99 | None | Buy Now |
| Epic Games Store | $59.99 | None | Buy Now |
| WinGameStore | $73.99 | 7% OFF | Buy Now |
| IndieGala | $79.99 | None | Buy Now |
| IndieGala | $79.99 | None | Buy Now |
| Steam | $79.99 | None | Buy Now |
| Microsoft Store | $99.99 | None | Buy Now |
| IndieGala | $99.99 | None | Buy Now |
| WinGameStore | $99.99 | None | Buy Now |
| IndieGala | $99.99 | None | Buy Now |
| Epic Games Store | $99.99 | None | Buy Now |
| PlayStation Store | $99.99 | None | Buy Now |
Top Features
Unique Character Classes
One of the standout elements of Borderlands 3 compared to other looter-shooter games is its diverse set of character classes. Each of the four new Vault Hunters—Amara the Siren, FL4K the Beastmaster, Moze the Gunner, and Zane the Operative—brings unique skills and abilities, offering a variety of playstyles that can be further customized through intricate skill trees.
Vast Arsenal of Weapons
Borderlands 3 takes its reputation for creatively chaotic weaponry to the next level, boasting an impressive variety of guns with outlandish designs and effects. With millions of possible weapon combinations, players can expect to find guns that shoot lightning, spew fire, or even run around on little legs, adding an endless layer of excitement and unpredictability to combat.
Expansive Environments
Unlike its predecessors, Borderlands 3 expands beyond the familiar landscapes of Pandora, taking players to new and diverse planets. Each planet boasts its own unique environment, from lush jungles to desolate wastelands, enriching the game’s exploratory appeal and visual variety.
Engaging Multiplayer Modes
The game caters well to both solo and cooperative gameplay experiences. With seamless drop-in/drop-out multiplayer modes, players can join friends online or via split-screen to tackle missions together. The revamped multiplayer mechanics ensure that loot and experience points are fairly distributed, enhancing cooperative play without competition over rewards.
Improved Visuals and Customization Options
Borderlands 3 significantly upgrades its graphical fidelity while maintaining its signature cel-shaded art style. New customization options allow players to personalize their Vault Hunters, vehicles, and even weapons, enabling a more immersive and tailored gaming experience.
Cons
Repetitive Mission Structure
Despite its engaging storyline and vibrant world, Borderlands 3 often falls into the trap of repetitive mission design. Many quests boil down to fetching items or defeating waves of enemies, which can become monotonous over time.
Technical Issues
At launch, Borderlands 3 faced a myriad of technical problems, including performance hiccups, crashes, and bugs across various platforms. While many of these issues have been addressed in patches, some players still encounter occasional technical difficulties that can disrupt gameplay.
Overemphasis on Humor
While the Borderlands series is known for its humor, Borderlands 3 can sometimes overdo it, with jokes that fall flat or come across as forced. This overemphasis on humor may detract from the overall narrative for some players, especially those who prefer a more balanced tone.
Forgettable Side Characters
Though the main storyline features memorable antagonists and protagonists, some of the side characters lack depth and development. This can make certain quests feel less engaging, as players may not feel invested in the personalities they encounter along the way.
Loot System Imbalance
While the game features a plethora of unique weapons and items, the loot system can sometimes feel unbalanced. Players may find themselves inundated with useless gear, making the hunt for genuinely valuable loot less rewarding than it should be.
Multiplayer Mode
Yes, Borderlands 3 features a robust multiplayer mode that enhances the overall gaming experience. The game supports both online and local cooperative play, allowing up to four players to join forces to tackle missions, hunt for loot, and take down formidable enemies.
Seamless Drop-In/Drop-Out
The multiplayer mode in Borderlands 3 is designed to be highly accessible with seamless drop-in/drop-out functionality. This means players can join or leave a game session without disrupting the progress of others, which is particularly helpful for those with unpredictable gaming schedules.
Co-Op Loot and Experience Sharing
Borderlands 3 addresses one of the common challenges in multiplayer looter-shooters by implementing a fair loot and experience sharing system. In co-op mode, loot is instanced, meaning each player gets their own version of loot drops, avoiding the need to compete over valuable items. Experience points gained from defeating enemies and completing missions are also distributed among players, ensuring everyone benefits equally from the collaboration.
Split-Screen Mode
For local multiplayer enthusiasts, Borderlands 3 offers split-screen mode, allowing two players to share a console and play together on the same TV screen. This mode is perfect for friends or family members who want to experience the game’s chaotic fun side by side.
Evaluation
The multiplayer mode in Borderlands 3 is a major strength of the game, fostering a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. The seamless integration of drop-in/drop-out functionality and fair loot distribution significantly enhance the cooperative experience. Technical issues such as occasional lag can sometimes detract from the experience, but these are relatively minor compared to the overall enjoyment. Whether playing with friends or strangers, the multiplayer mode adds an engaging, dynamic layer to the already rich gameplay.
Community Opinions
The Borderlands 3 community is vibrant and diverse, with players expressing a wide range of opinions. While the game has garnered a dedicated fanbase that praises its action-packed gameplay and unique aesthetics, it has also faced some criticism. Here are a few community-generated comments to give you a sense of the general sentiment:
“I absolutely love the variety of weapons and the unique abilities of each Vault Hunter. It keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting. Plus, the humor is just my kind of quirky!” – Player123
“While the main quests are super engaging, I find the side missions somewhat repetitive. Still, the co-op mode with friends makes up for those shortcomings.” – GamerQueen
“I’ve encountered quite a few performance issues on my PC. It’s frustrating, especially during intense battles. However, the game’s overall entertainment value keeps me coming back.” – TechieGuy
“The new environments are stunning, and the expanded universe offers so much to explore. The instanced loot system in multiplayer is a game-changer!” – CoOpMaster
“For me, the humor feels overdone at times, but the sheer amount of content and the fun gunplay make it worth it. I’m a big fan of the split-screen co-op.” – CouchCoopFan
Conclusion: A Thrilling Ride Through Chaos and Humor
Borderlands 3 captures the essence of what fans have come to love about the series, amplifying it to new heights. With its diverse Vault Hunters, an expansive arsenal, and engaging multiplayer modes, the game offers a rich and dynamic experience that stands out in the looter-shooter genre. While it does face some challenges, including repetitive mission structures and occasional technical issues, the overall package is a thrillingly chaotic adventure brimming with humor and unique gameplay moments. Whether you’re diving solo into Pandora’s lawless lands or teaming up with friends for co-op mayhem, Borderlands 3 promises an exhilarating escapade that will keep you entertained for countless hours.
System Requirements and Performance
Before diving into the chaos of Borderlands 3, it’s essential to ensure your gaming rig meets the necessary system requirements. Here are the minimum and recommended system specifications:
Performance Analysis
Borderlands 3’s performance can vary significantly depending on the hardware setup. Here’s a brief overview based on different configurations:
Minimum Setup
On a system meeting the minimum requirements, the game runs decently at lower settings. Players can expect frame rates around 30-45 FPS at 1080p resolution, with some potential dips during graphically intense scenes or heavy firefights. To maintain a smoother experience, it’s advisable to tweak the graphics settings and disable some visual effects.
Recommended Setup
With a system that meets or exceeds the recommended specifications, Borderlands 3 performs admirably at higher settings. Players can enjoy fluid gameplay at 60 FPS or higher at 1080p resolution, with most graphical settings on high or ultra. The game’s vivid art style and detailed environments truly shine on more powerful rigs, providing a more immersive experience.
High-End Setup
For those with high-end gaming PCs, including the latest CPUs and GPUs, Borderlands 3 delivers exceptional performance. Frame rates can easily surpass 100 FPS at 1440p or even 4K resolutions with maxed-out settings. The game’s visuals are spectacular, with detailed textures, smooth animations, and impressive lighting effects enhancing the overall gameplay.