How Many Hours Is Borderlands 1? A Deep Dive for Vault Hunters
So, you’re itching to dive into the chaotic world of Pandora and become a legendary Vault Hunter, but you’re wondering, “How many hours is Borderlands 1?” Well, buckle up, buttercup, because the answer, like Pandora itself, is a little complex.
A complete playthrough of Borderlands 1, focusing solely on the main story, will take you around 25-30 hours. However, that’s just the tip of the skag pile. If you’re a completionist, aiming to tackle all the side missions, discover all the loot, and reach the level cap, you’re looking at a playtime closer to 45-55 hours. And that’s before we even consider the DLC!
Factor in the four excellent DLC packs—The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot, The Secret Armory of General Knoxx, and Claptrap’s Robot Revolution—and you’re potentially adding another 20-30 hours to your adventure. Each DLC offers unique environments, compelling storylines, and, of course, mountains of loot. So, all told, a truly comprehensive Borderlands 1 experience can easily clock in at 65-85 hours, or even more depending on your playstyle and willingness to grind for those perfect weapon rolls.
Factors Affecting Your Borderlands 1 Playtime
Several factors can influence how long it takes you to complete Borderlands 1:
- Playstyle: Do you rush through the main story, or meticulously explore every nook and cranny? Completionists will naturally spend more time in Pandora.
- Difficulty: Playing on higher difficulties will increase the challenge and potentially the time it takes to beat the game, as enemies will be tougher and require more strategic approaches.
- Co-op: Playing with friends can significantly speed up the process, as you can share the workload and revive each other in tough situations. Plus, everything’s more fun with friends, right?
- Character Choice: Some characters are inherently more powerful or better suited to certain playstyles, which can influence how quickly you progress.
- Familiarity with the game: If you’ve played Borderlands 1 before, you’ll likely know the best routes, enemy weaknesses, and where to find valuable loot, allowing you to complete the game faster.
Is Borderlands 1 Worth the Time Investment?
Absolutely! Despite being the oldest entry in the Borderlands franchise, Borderlands 1 still holds up remarkably well. Its unique art style, engaging gameplay loop, and memorable characters make it a worthwhile experience for any fan of looter-shooters. While it might lack some of the refinements of later installments, it offers a raw and authentic Borderlands experience that’s not to be missed. Plus, with all the DLC available, there’s a ton of content to keep you entertained.
Borderlands 1: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions players have about the length and content of Borderlands 1:
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How long is Borderlands 1’s main story without any side quests? As mentioned, focusing solely on the main story will take you around 25-30 hours.
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How long does it take to beat all the Borderlands 1 DLC? Each DLC pack can take anywhere from 5-8 hours to complete, depending on your playstyle.
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What’s the best way to speed up my Borderlands 1 playthrough? Focus on the main story missions, use powerful weapons, and play with friends in co-op.
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Is it worth doing the side quests in Borderlands 1? Absolutely! Many side quests offer valuable rewards, such as powerful weapons, experience points, and unique storylines.
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What’s the level cap in Borderlands 1? The original level cap was 58, but the Secret Armory of General Knoxx DLC raised it to 69.
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Does Borderlands 1 have a New Game Plus mode? Yes, after completing the main story, you can start a second playthrough with your existing character and gear, facing tougher enemies and earning better loot.
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Which Borderlands 1 DLC is the best? This is subjective, but The Secret Armory of General Knoxx is often considered the best due to its challenging enemies, expansive map, and powerful loot.
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Can I play Borderlands 1 solo? Yes, Borderlands 1 is perfectly playable solo, although it can be more challenging in certain areas.
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What character is best for a solo playthrough of Borderlands 1? Roland the Soldier is often recommended for solo play due to his ability to deploy a turret that can provide cover and deal damage.
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Does Borderlands 1 have cross-platform play? Unfortunately, no. Borderlands 1 does not support cross-platform play.
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Is there a remaster of Borderlands 1? Yes, Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition is a remastered version of Borderlands 1 with improved graphics, gameplay enhancements, and all four DLC packs included.
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Does the Game of the Year Edition change the playtime? Not significantly. The playtime remains roughly the same, although some quality-of-life improvements might slightly reduce it.
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What are the differences between the original Borderlands 1 and the Game of the Year Edition? The GOTY Edition features graphical improvements, a mini-map, a larger inventory, and other quality-of-life enhancements.
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Where can I find more information about game design and learning? Check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for resources on how games impact learning and development. The Games Learning Society explores the educational power of games.
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Is Borderlands 1 replayable? Absolutely! With multiple characters to play, different builds to experiment with, and tons of loot to collect, Borderlands 1 offers a high degree of replayability.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. While the exact playtime can vary, you can expect to spend a significant amount of time exploring the world of Pandora in Borderlands 1. Whether you’re a seasoned Vault Hunter or a newcomer to the series, Borderlands 1 offers a rewarding and addictive experience that’s well worth the time investment. Now get out there and start looting!