Gamezone: 'Borderlands'
Perhaps it is the cynical, video-game journalist in me, but if I were living on a planet called "Pandora," I would insist on living a box-free life.
Unfortunately, the characters in the sci-fi/Western-themed, RPG/first-person shooter hybrid "Borderlands," though both war-torn and weathered, are not. So, when they learn of a mysterious "vault" promising untold wealth, power, fame and riches, they jump at the chance to find it. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that the meek are going to get what's coming to them. And it ain't gonna be pretty.
Far be it for me to quibble with character motivation (I'd sooner spoil "Donkey Kong" by wondering why Mario just doesn't use an ape-sized tranquilizer dart and a gun instead of climbing all those ladders), but while the original premise is slightly flawed, the execution is not.
In single-player mode, you have the option of playing through the game as one of four characters, each with his or her own set of skills, backstory and agenda. Brick specializes in hand-to-hand combat but is a bit of a softy at heart (his necklace features a paw print from his beloved deceased pooch). Lillith is part human, has the ability to become invisible (perfect for stealth missions) and has come to Pandora in search of another of her kind. Roland is a former military soldier out for revenge who has the ability to heal himself. Mordecai is a sniper and falconer (at least, I think his pet, Bloodwing, is a falcon). He's searching for a man from his past. Each character path is distinct enough to give the game strong replay value.
Like an RPG, gameplay involves both missions required to advance the plot and sideline jobs for cash, experience points or weapons upgrades. Pandora is a lawless little dust bowl inhabited by outlaws and alien species. You'll encounter foes of both the human and inhuman variety.
Like some of the best FPS games, "Borderlands" offers a seemingly endless supply of guns, grenades and other weapons.
You also can drop in and out of multiplayer mode with up to three other players. There are arenas where you can duel against one another or assist in completing a quest in your or someone else's game. This one's a must have for the mature gamer.