So Gearbox Software's Borderlands is finally out, and from what I hear, it's kind of a big deal. Last I checked (that was this morning, by the way), it was the number-one-selling game on Steam, beating out Valve's own Left 4 Dead 2 and BioWare's Dragon's Age. Also, we think it's pretty good.
What we have here is the first ten minutes from the Xbox 360 version of Borderlands, from the 2K Games logo all the up through... well, you can watch. Most of the your first ten minutes of the game will be spent getting acquainted with the world, and getting a small idea of what it is you're actually trying to accomplish (it involves a vault... and picking up a lot of stuff).
The intro also introduces you to the game's four characters, or classes. For the purpose of this TMT, I chose Roland, the soldier. Why? The truth is, it was random. But it doesn't matter too much. The real differences between the characters don't emerge until later in the game, when you start unlocking each of their individual "focus skills." You'll have to actually play the game to see what that's like.
Check out the first ten minutes of Borderlands, and see if it's something you'd be interested in playing for, oh, another 20 or more hours.
["Ten Minute Taste" is something new we're trying here at Destructoid. Simply put, we'll rip the first ten minutes of a game to video -- loading screens, warts and all -- just so you can get an idea of what you'll expect when you first pop the game in. Let us know what you think.
If I was on the fence about this game I would love the 10 minute taste. But since it's sitting next to me on my desk at work I don't want to watch it and spoil the experience. I would like to see this for Dragon Age though, since I'm on the fence about that one.
That 10 minutes tasted delicious. I watched the video from the video's section before the post was even on frontpage. I bought the game and I'm gonna throw down 40 minutes with it on my lunch break! I'm so stoked, this just got me all the more excited. Awesome.
This is a cool little feature, especially for games people may not be sure about or that don't have a demo to try out. Keep it up, and Borderlands looks amazing (getting it on Steam, sad-face for delay).
I like it! Both the game and the feature. In this case, though, it's already in my car, but I will definitely look for these when I'm undecided on games, especially those without demos. Good job guys!
Argh! What are the chances the 10 minutes would end at the worst spot possible! Talk about a tease! Was really interested before seeing the video, now I'm really REALLY interested.
That was like watching someone's wedding to get an idea of what their entire married life is going to be like... and it ended as their honeymoon suite door closed.
Just a heads up, In Canada, Wal-Mart and I think Best Buy are selling the game for $40 (PS3 and 360, not sure about PC). I'm not sure if this is a day-one thing or a week long thing, but for that price, how can you pass it up?
Fuck, how dare you delay more PC version. Damn you Gearbox, for giving the dirty Aussies and Euros the game before US. Not sure the reasoning why the other versions come out Friday, but we have to wait till Monday.
I saw that and I immediatley told my GF via work e-mail that I was getting a game after work as how the hell can you say no to this for $40!!!!!!!!!!??????
So these are the poor man's Giantbomb Quick Looks without commentary? I don't approve of this.
Also the judging games from the first ten minutes has to stop. The first ten minutes of Brutal Legend are fantastic, but the last hour is complete crap.
@Para
I've been completely jaded off the commentary from Quick Looks since they slandered Demon's Souls.
They mouthed off a bunch of untrue criticisms about the game (this is coming from the commentator who supposedly played "6 hours of the game", yet didn't know how to do something they tell you how to do in the first hour).
More often than not, it's uninformed commentary, and ruins it. This is a lot better (it could go for longer though: perhaps a new name?).
Well, I'm glad to see that Roman Bellic can still find work.
I really don't know where I stand on Borderlands. I'm interested, and I really like its general vibe, but I wonder if it'll be worth it played strictly single-player.
Wow, I really like the 10 Minute Taste. I had heard things about the game, but didn't feel interested. After watching that video I was left feeling like it was something I needed to own. Hope to see more of these.
just picked this game up for $40 (luxury of living in canada). i played online for a couple of hours with some random people and after i leveled up to 6 i got disc from the host. when i joined another game i was back at level 1. has this happened to anyone else and is this going to happen every goddamn time?
How about the first two minutes with a non-spoilery eight minutes somewhere in the middle so if I'm on the fence, it'll at least be a while before I see the stuff I saw in the vid?
Just the opening bit? That's pretty dull, honestly. I'd like to see some actual gameplay.
Doesn't really matter, since I'm probably picking it up later today anyway, just wanted to throw it out there.
Sorry but I myself much prefer Giant Bomb's method, although I've never been one to complain about good ideas being "copied" (and I use copied in the loosest sense).
@Magnalon
The quick look of Demon's Souls they did convinced me to buy that game more than any review I read/heard. Its pure, hype-less gameplay and I know enough about the staff to know where my interests lie as compared to them. The Darkest of Days quick look they did was one of the funniest game-related videos of the year.
This "Ten Minute Taste" idea is brilliant. I was just thinking to myself today, whether I should buy this on release or whether I should wait for it to drop in price. Hopefully this taste will be enough to sway me one way or the other.
dang this ten minute taste thing is pretty rad. Regardless of what happens within those first ten minutes, it's nice to know before I buy. Is the first ten minutes just a load of boring cinematics? Do I get to play right off the bat? I like it. Great idea guys.
And with regards to people saying it needs commentary like GB, I say fuck that. If I wanted commentary I'D READ THE REVIEW.
I'm liking these TMTs. Like everyone else is saying, it's perfect for the games w/o demos. It's nearly as good as a review to me without actually, ya know, reviewing.
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Contest:
3:00 PM on 10.20.2009
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But either way, FUCK YEAH BORDERLANDS.
As soon as we can, you can count on it. :)
But wasn't Claptrap supposed to be funny?
I don't know, I'm not really sold on this one.
I'd want to see more of these types of things, especially for Dragon Age.
"WHEREZ TEH GAEMPLAY!!?"
Thanks.
Thanks for getting that out there man!
I saw that and I immediatley told my GF via work e-mail that I was getting a game after work as how the hell can you say no to this for $40!!!!!!!!!!??????
Also the judging games from the first ten minutes has to stop. The first ten minutes of Brutal Legend are fantastic, but the last hour is complete crap.
Giant Bomb's a good Web site! You should go visit it!
I've been completely jaded off the commentary from Quick Looks since they slandered Demon's Souls.
They mouthed off a bunch of untrue criticisms about the game (this is coming from the commentator who supposedly played "6 hours of the game", yet didn't know how to do something they tell you how to do in the first hour).
More often than not, it's uninformed commentary, and ruins it. This is a lot better (it could go for longer though: perhaps a new name?).
I really don't know where I stand on Borderlands. I'm interested, and I really like its general vibe, but I wonder if it'll be worth it played strictly single-player.
Doesn't really matter, since I'm probably picking it up later today anyway, just wanted to throw it out there.
@Magnalon
The quick look of Demon's Souls they did convinced me to buy that game more than any review I read/heard. Its pure, hype-less gameplay and I know enough about the staff to know where my interests lie as compared to them. The Darkest of Days quick look they did was one of the funniest game-related videos of the year.
Jolly good idea Destructoid.
And with regards to people saying it needs commentary like GB, I say fuck that. If I wanted commentary I'D READ THE REVIEW.
Please do more
Yeah that's an awesome deal!! It's the main reason I'm now getting this game. Hopefully it's still going on Friday.