By Luke Kirby
In a somewhat rather quiet fashion the first episode of Tales from the Borderlands, entitled Zer0 Sum, was released on PC & Mac last Tuesday and what a lovely surprise it was. Apologies to console owners anywhere but North America as your version will finally be available December 3rd.
Also be not afraid, spoilers are not welcome in these parts.
In a somewhat rather quiet fashion the first episode of Tales from the Borderlands, entitled Zer0 Sum, was released on PC & Mac last Tuesday and what a lovely surprise it was. Apologies to console owners anywhere but North America as your version will finally be available December 3rd.
Also be not afraid, spoilers are not welcome in these parts.
In your adventure on Pandora you start out by taking control of Rhys, a Hyperion tool who bears a great resemblance to that of Handsome Jack, looking to get a promotion and climb ever further up that corporate ladder. Rhys also has an interesting mechanic in using his 'Echo Eye' which allows him to scan the environment and reveal important information about his surroundings. Naturally plans never go how you intend so you find yourself on Pandora trying to secure of deal of sorts but of course this being Pandora's bandits, psychos and just about every sort of depraved lunatic is there to make your day more difficult than it needs to be.
So upon your arrival it becomes quite clear you do not belong here nor do you have the ability to protect yourself by your own physically capabilities. Which is an odd feeling given that in anything Borderlands-related you would have slaughtered numerous of these foes within the opening hour, yet it feels quite refreshing and interesting that you are on the bottom of the Pandoran Pyramid this time round. After some progression in trying to get this deal to go off we’re introduced to our second playable character Fiona, who was born and raised inhabitant of Pandora, and specialises in being a con-artist. Being a con-artist, money is her game and currency can be used in conversational situations. Eventually both of your characters paths cross in trying to achieve a common goal but, as Telltale do so well, twists in the plot and initial plans becoming moot the story certainly thickens leaving your cursing at the inevitable cliffhanger.
So upon your arrival it becomes quite clear you do not belong here nor do you have the ability to protect yourself by your own physically capabilities. Which is an odd feeling given that in anything Borderlands-related you would have slaughtered numerous of these foes within the opening hour, yet it feels quite refreshing and interesting that you are on the bottom of the Pandoran Pyramid this time round. After some progression in trying to get this deal to go off we’re introduced to our second playable character Fiona, who was born and raised inhabitant of Pandora, and specialises in being a con-artist. Being a con-artist, money is her game and currency can be used in conversational situations. Eventually both of your characters paths cross in trying to achieve a common goal but, as Telltale do so well, twists in the plot and initial plans becoming moot the story certainly thickens leaving your cursing at the inevitable cliffhanger.
What Telltale does best is create likeable characters and there are a whole heap of them in Tales from the Borderlands. Hugo Vasquez, the douchiest boss to ever come into existence ever since the dawn of douchebaggery, is voiced none other than Patrick Warburton, your best friend Vaughn who is your partner in crime in the mess you’re in as well as a whole myriad of other characters including loveable bandits and adorable psychos.
Some of my favourite moments in this first episode came from the fluid switching between the two main characters in their given situations. Sometimes they would be separate and other times they would be within the same vicinity as each other, but the thing is they both want different things. They’re working together but their goals are not aligned, yet I never really felt a desire to pick sides between the two. The dialogue is riddled with the kind of humour to be expected from a Borderlands title. At various times throughout the episode I found myself laughing despite being in perilous situations. This did somewhat make some of the more serious decisions feel like they carry less weight despite them being in the usual vein of Telltale’s difficult choices to be made. Out of The Wolf Among Us, The Walking Dead Season 1 and 2, Tales from the Borderlands has to be my favourite opening episode ever. I was skeptical about whether or not Telltale could pull off their storytelling and have it fit in consistently the Borderlands universe. It works so well with references to previous games that makes fans smile and laugh.
I’m eagerly waiting for more episodes to be released.
Some of my favourite moments in this first episode came from the fluid switching between the two main characters in their given situations. Sometimes they would be separate and other times they would be within the same vicinity as each other, but the thing is they both want different things. They’re working together but their goals are not aligned, yet I never really felt a desire to pick sides between the two. The dialogue is riddled with the kind of humour to be expected from a Borderlands title. At various times throughout the episode I found myself laughing despite being in perilous situations. This did somewhat make some of the more serious decisions feel like they carry less weight despite them being in the usual vein of Telltale’s difficult choices to be made. Out of The Wolf Among Us, The Walking Dead Season 1 and 2, Tales from the Borderlands has to be my favourite opening episode ever. I was skeptical about whether or not Telltale could pull off their storytelling and have it fit in consistently the Borderlands universe. It works so well with references to previous games that makes fans smile and laugh.
I’m eagerly waiting for more episodes to be released.
Did you know?
Unrelated to the actual game but exclusive loot will be available to those who own Borderlands the Pre-Sequel for owning Tales from the Borderlands!
Did you enjoy Tales from the Borderlands as much as we did? Are you excited about the second episode?
Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned with IWG for all of the latest Borderlands news!
Did you enjoy Tales from the Borderlands as much as we did? Are you excited about the second episode?
Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned with IWG for all of the latest Borderlands news!
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