Is Borderlands 1 Short? A Vault Hunter’s Guide to Playtime
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Whether Borderlands 1 is considered a “short” game is subjective and depends largely on your gaming habits and completionist tendencies. The main story itself can be completed in around 21-23 hours for a first playthrough, focusing primarily on the essential missions. However, engaging with side quests and DLC content significantly extends the gameplay experience, potentially reaching upwards of 80+ hours for a complete playthrough. Therefore, if you stick to just the main storyline, Borderlands 1 can be seen as shorter than some of its sequels, but it offers substantial replay value and additional content to satisfy players looking for a more expansive experience.
Borderlands 1: A Deep Dive into Length and Content
The original Borderlands carved a unique niche in the gaming world with its blend of first-person shooting and RPG elements. However, in the grand scheme of gaming lengths, especially compared to modern open-world epics, does it qualify as a brief experience? Let’s break it down.
Main Story Duration
As mentioned earlier, a focused run through the main storyline of Borderlands 1 will likely clock in around 21-23 hours. This is a reasonable amount of time, placing it firmly in the middle ground of game lengths. It’s not a weekend sprint, but it also won’t consume weeks of your life.
Side Quests and Exploration
Where Borderlands 1 adds significant playtime is through its optional side quests. Pandora is a world teeming with quirky characters and intriguing missions that deviate from the main plot. Completing these tasks not only provides valuable experience and loot but also enriches the overall narrative. Players aiming to complete a majority of the side quests should expect to add another 10-20 hours to their playtime, easily pushing the total closer to 40 hours.
DLC Content: Extending the Hunt
Borderlands 1 boasts four substantial DLC packs:
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The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned: Adds a new area, enemies, and storyline, focusing on zombie hordes and twisted science.
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Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot: Introduces arena-style combat challenges designed for cooperative play.
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The Secret Armory of General Knoxx: Expands the world map considerably, adding new vehicles, powerful enemies, and an engaging story centered around the Atlas Corporation.
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Claptrap’s Robot Revolution: A humorous expansion pitting players against a rebellious army of Claptraps.
Each DLC pack can add anywhere from 5-10 hours of gameplay, depending on your play style and completionist aspirations. With all DLC installed, the potential playtime of Borderlands 1 can easily exceed 60 hours.
Completionist Run: Pandora in its Entirety
For players who strive for 100% completion, Borderlands 1 offers a substantial challenge. This involves completing all main missions, side quests, DLC content, and reaching the maximum character level. Such a playthrough can realistically take 80+ hours, placing it on par with some larger RPG experiences.
Comparison to Other Borderlands Games
It’s useful to contextualize Borderlands 1’s length by comparing it to its sequels and spin-offs:
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Borderlands 2: Generally considered longer, with a main story that clocks in around 30 hours and a wealth of post-game content.
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Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel: The shortest of the mainline games, with a story that can be completed in approximately 17 hours.
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Borderlands 3: The longest of the series, with a sprawling campaign and extensive endgame activities.
Therefore, Borderlands 1 sits comfortably in the middle of the pack, offering a satisfying balance between story length and replayability.
Is Borderlands 1 Worth Your Time?
Beyond the raw numbers, the true value of Borderlands 1 lies in its gameplay, atmosphere, and the nostalgia it evokes. While it may lack some of the refinements of its sequels, it boasts a unique charm and a distinct identity. The loot-driven gameplay, combined with a memorable cast of characters, makes for an addictive and engaging experience.
For those who prioritize a concise story and streamlined gameplay, Borderlands 1 might indeed feel relatively short. However, for players who enjoy exploring every nook and cranny, completing all quests, and diving into the post-game content, Borderlands 1 offers a surprisingly robust and rewarding experience.
Furthermore, understanding the storyline of the original Borderlands enriches the narratives of the later installments in the series. To learn more about the impacts of games on players, consider visiting the Games Learning Society website to learn about the benefits of educational games and initiatives. GamesLearningSociety.org offers insights into the positive effects of gaming in various fields, including education and skill-building.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Borderlands 1 necessary to play before Borderlands 2?
No, it’s not strictly necessary. Borderlands 2 has its own standalone storyline. However, playing Borderlands 1 provides valuable context and allows you to appreciate the returning characters and story elements in Borderlands 2 more fully.
2. How many hours does it take to 100% Borderlands 1?
A 100% completion run of Borderlands 1, including all main missions, side quests, DLC content, and reaching the maximum level, can take around 80-85 hours.
3. Which Borderlands game is the shortest?
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is generally considered the shortest, with a main story that can be completed in around 17 hours.
4. Is Borderlands 1 outdated?
While Borderlands 1 might show its age in terms of graphics and gameplay mechanics compared to its sequels, it remains a classic and enjoyable game. Many players appreciate its unique atmosphere and challenging difficulty.
5. Can I skip Borderlands 1 and still understand Borderlands 2?
Yes, you can. Borderlands 2 introduces its own main story and characters. However, you’ll miss out on the backstory of some of the recurring characters if you skip Borderlands 1.
6. Is Borderlands 1 grindy?
Like most loot-based games, Borderlands 1 can involve some grinding, especially when farming for specific weapons or items. However, the core gameplay loop is engaging enough that many players find the grind enjoyable.
7. Can you play Borderlands 1 alone?
Yes, Borderlands 1 can be played solo. While it’s designed with cooperative play in mind, the game is balanced to be enjoyable as a single-player experience.
8. What order should I play the Borderlands games?
For the best story experience, play in this order: Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, Borderlands 1, Borderlands 2, Tales from the Borderlands, and Borderlands 3.
9. Is Borderlands 1 worth playing after Borderlands 2?
Yes, many players enjoy revisiting Borderlands 1 even after playing its sequels. It offers a different gameplay experience and a unique atmosphere that some prefer over the later games.
10. How big is the download size for Borderlands 1?
The download size for Borderlands 1 is approximately 14 GB.
11. Does Borderlands 1 have a good story?
Borderlands 1‘s story is relatively simple compared to its sequels, focusing on the search for the Vault. However, it establishes the world of Pandora and introduces memorable characters, making it a worthwhile experience.
12. What are the main differences between Borderlands 1 and Borderlands 2?
Borderlands 2 features improved graphics, more refined gameplay mechanics, a more engaging story, and a wider variety of weapons and characters.
13. Does Borderlands 1 have a Badass Rank system?
No, Borderlands 1 does not have a Badass Rank system like the one introduced in Borderlands 2.
14. Is Borderlands 1 hard to play?
Borderlands 1 can be challenging, especially on higher difficulties. Learning enemy patterns and utilizing different weapon types effectively is crucial for success.
15. Was Borderlands 1 successful?
Yes, Borderlands 1 was a commercial success, selling over 6 million copies. While it was overshadowed by its sequel, it established the Borderlands franchise and paved the way for future installments.