nice to see a multiplatform game getting all the accolades! :)

Looks like I need to look into this title.

I still don't like the boxart. :colbert:

Man I want this game bad!

it looks like Fallout 3 will suck compared to this game. everyone remember the immense amount of Bethesda ass kissing?

It's amazing how well this game's been doing with the press since it switched to the cell-shaded look. I'm psyched.

I was absolutely blown away playing Borderlands at PAX. I haven't been so impressed with ANY game the first time I touched it since the local Toys R Us got a Super Mario 64 demo unit. It's hard to even know what to say about it except that it's fucking awesome and you need to buy it!

Somehow they've managed to make a game that feels like a complete action-RPG and a complete shooter-ass-shooter at the same time. It's fast, intense, and damn slick. The shooting and movement is as solid as I've ever played on a console and there are a million (or maybe 97 bazillion?) little things that they're doing that show how much these guys know their business. I was particularly impressed with the split-screen implementation. Somehow they managed to make a vertical split view not feel constricted on the sides and the way they have you slide the inventory screen with the right stick instead of trying to shrink all that information down to fit is really smart. Plus Randy confirmed individual player saves and trophies on PS3, making him my new personal hero!

That's before you even get to the guns. Most really good shooters have maybe 2 or 3 moments where you get a new gun and go "OMFG I HAVE TO SHOOT THIS MOTHER-FUCKER *RIGHT NOW*!!!", and it's usually like some crazy ass bazooka or gatling gun. But while playing Borderlands I got that feeling every time a weapon dropped, so basically every 20 seconds or so.

It's absolutely stunning, and it looks fantastic, too. I'd almost go as far as to say that the HD trailer they released a few weeks back actually does the game a disservice. It's probably the depth of field stuff, which I didn't notice in the videos. You don't even really get a feel for how cool it is while watching someone else play.

I was looking forward to Borderlands before but it's now the game to beat for 2009. By a very wide margin.

Plus, Randy Pitchford, Mikey Neumann, and the rest of the guys from Gearbox were really nice and absolutely great about answering a million questions and talking about the game. They not only seemed to have answers about every detail I could think to ask about (sorry, no mid-game sex changes, Saints Row fans) but the kind of answers people have when they know how to do a thing right and are implementing on that knowledge.

I couldn't disagree more with this pick. Borderlands was tied for my BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT of the show, along with MAG. You do realize you have to manually pickup any ammo drops, right? Also all of the RPG elements are nothing but fetch/kill X amount of things quests. The combat is very floaty, and it's incredibly hard to find where you're going and it's easy to get lost.

The only positive about the game is the art style. I have no interest for this game until I see it for $20.

@MSUHitman - most of that is actually not true. 1) you can hold X to pick up all ammo and money nearby without looking down. 2) just some of the RPG elements are leveling up, skill trees, equipment that improves your character, quests, side quests, and loot. 3) most hands-on previews have praised the shooter combat, so maybe it's just your personal preference. There's also a map so you don't get lost, as well as a HUGE diamond icon that points you to quest objectives.

Glad Borderlands got your seal of approval. It's nice to see a new IP get some spotlight seeing as most of your nominees were sequels to established properties.

Damn...

I'm buying this.

After I get MW 2.

Just goes to show -- people are thirsting for something new, I guess. The community votes largely determined this outcome

*sigh* I've lost all hope in the Destructoid community.....to steer me in the wrong direction!! :p

Can't wait to get my hands on this. Also Uncharted 2.

Also:

Booth babes of the show.

wow...before the cartoon graphics no one gave a crap.

guess you can fool a lot of people into thinking something's good if you put pretty graphics on top.

I dunno, maybe some of you just don't seem to understand that Gearbox has never made a AAA game, and messed up the aliens license, a game that should be easy to make.

Don't deny it, it is the pretty cartoon look.

I mean game of the show from a B list, solid but nonetheless b list developer?

REALLY? Because you can generate random weapons?

Guess it doesn't take much to impress some people.

Okay, I'm going to sound like an idiot, but what is this game about? Is there a storyline or is it more like an FPS Diablo than anything else?

gains, yes, this game does have a storyline. *this may contain spoilers, it is a backstory for the characters* Mordecai came to the planet to find someone from his past named Demosthenes, he found out Demothenes died and he's hunting down his killer. Roland is a former soldier of the Crimson Lance, he can supposedly boost the party's experience gains, regenerate health for his teammates if you work on his medic skill, and regenerate ammo for the party (support skill). Lilith is a siren, one of the six in the universe, she came to Pandora to try and find another Siren (I'm guessing she heard there was another Siren on Pandora), she can phase walk (turn invisible to sneak around), slow down enemies and speed up teammates. Brick is basically kind of like the Hulk, he can take quite a few hits and he can punch the life out of things, he wears a necklace with the paw of his deceased dog around his neck, he can go into Berserk mode where he runs fast and can really pack a punch (pun intended). They are looking for the Vault, I'm guessing there's lots of treasure.
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borderlands_(video_game)

Okay I can dig the backstory. But is there a mission structure (ala Fallout "go here, get this") or is it more a game of "let's log on and wander around looking for a good drop"?

I'm curious because the gameplay looks excellent, but I stopped playing Diablo after I beat the Butcher guy, who I think was the first boss. Games that are about the random drops just aren't for me and I'd hate to miss out on this game.

Looks sweet, can't wait!