Should You Skip Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel? A Vault Hunter’s Guide

So, you’re staring down the barrel of the Borderlands franchise, itching to loot and shoot your way across Pandora and beyond. But then you see it: Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel! (TPS). Is it essential? Can you skip it and still enjoy the ride? The short answer is: no, you shouldn’t skip it entirely, but it depends on your priorities. If you’re primarily interested in the core narrative leading directly into Borderlands 3, and are pressed for time, you can technically skip it. However, you’d be missing out on significant character development, crucial backstory for the iconic Handsome Jack, and some genuinely fun gameplay mechanics. Think of it as a delicious side quest – not mandatory, but definitely adds flavor to the main course.

Why You Might Consider Playing The Pre-Sequel

The Pre-Sequel shines in several key areas that enhance the overall Borderlands experience:

• Handsome Jack’s Origin Story: This is perhaps the biggest draw. TPS provides a deep dive into the life and motivations of Jack, showing his transformation from a well-intentioned (though ruthless) programmer into the megalomaniacal villain we love to hate in Borderlands 2. Understanding his motivations adds layers to his character and makes him far more compelling.
• Unique Gameplay Mechanics: The introduction of low-gravity environments and oxygen kits creates a refreshing twist on the classic Borderlands formula. While not universally loved, these mechanics offer different strategic approaches to combat and exploration. Butt-slamming enemies never gets old!
• Expanded Lore: TPS delves into the history of Elpis (Pandora’s moon) and the Hyperion Corporation, fleshing out the world of Borderlands in intriguing ways.
• Playable Characters: Getting to play as characters who were NPCs in previous games, such as Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap, offers unique perspectives and gameplay styles. Each character’s skill tree and backstory contribute to the overall narrative richness.
• Humor and Dialogue: While the humor might not be as consistently sharp as in Borderlands 2, TPS still delivers plenty of witty banter and memorable moments, especially regarding the characters’ interactions with Jack.

Why You Might Consider Skipping The Pre-Sequel (At Least Initially)

Despite its merits, TPS has some drawbacks that might lead you to consider skipping it:

• Gameplay Similarity: At its core, TPS plays very similarly to Borderlands 2. Some players find the low-gravity mechanics more gimmicky than revolutionary. If you’re burnt out on the Borderlands formula after Borderlands 2, TPS might not immediately reignite your passion.
• Story Placement: TPS’s narrative is framed as a flashback told after the events of Borderlands 2. This means that the ending of TPS already assumes you know the fates of certain characters and events of the subsequent game. For some, this lessens the impact of the story.
• Less Impact on Borderlands 3: While understanding Jack’s history enriches your experience with the franchise as a whole, the specific events of TPS have relatively little direct bearing on the main plot of Borderlands 3.
• Perceived Quality: Let’s be honest: TPS is often considered the weakest entry in the core Borderlands series by many fans, despite its strengths. Developed by 2K Australia instead of Gearbox Software, it sometimes lacks the polish and tight pacing of its predecessors.
• Time Investment: The average playthrough of TPS takes around 18 hours, and up to 57 for completionists. If you’re eager to jump into Borderlands 2 or 3, this can be a significant time commitment.

The Verdict: Play It Eventually

Ultimately, I recommend playing Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel at some point. While it’s not strictly necessary to understand the main storylines of the other games, it adds significant depth to the world, characters, and lore of the Borderlands universe. Play it after Borderlands 2. You’ll appreciate it more with the knowledge of what’s to come. Think of the game as additional content similar to how research has shown video games can be useful learning tools, more information about this can be found at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I need to play Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel for the full story?

No, you don’t need to. The core narrative of the Borderlands series can be understood without it. However, you’ll miss crucial background information about Handsome Jack and other key characters, making their actions and motivations in Borderlands 2 and beyond less impactful.

2. Can I skip Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel and still understand Borderlands 3?

Yes, absolutely. Borderlands 3 introduces new villains and a self-contained storyline that doesn’t heavily rely on the events of TPS. However, you might miss some references and inside jokes that hardcore fans will appreciate.

3. Is it better to play The Pre-Sequel before or after Borderlands 2?

Definitely after Borderlands 2. TPS’s framing device reveals key plot points from Borderlands 2, spoiling the surprises of the latter. Playing Borderlands 2 first allows you to experience the story as it was originally intended.

4. Should I play Tales from the Borderlands before or after The Pre-Sequel?

You can play Tales from the Borderlands after Borderlands 2. Some characters and events are referenced in both games, but the impact is greater if you’ve already experienced the main Borderlands 2 story.

5. What’s the best order to play all the Borderlands games, including DLC?

A common, highly-recommended order is:

1. Borderlands
2. Borderlands 2
3. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel!
4. Tales from the Borderlands
5. Borderlands 3
6. Include DLCs chronologically within each main game’s playthrough, or after finishing the main game.

6. Is The Pre-Sequel canon to the Borderlands series?

Yes, most of The Pre-Sequel is considered canon. However, there is some debate about certain plot points and character interactions, particularly the ending, which some fans believe has been retconned to fit the broader narrative of Borderlands 3.

7. How long does it take to beat Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel?

The main story takes around 18 hours to complete. Completionists can expect to spend around 57 hours exploring every nook and cranny, completing all side quests, and unlocking all achievements.

8. Is Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel harder than Borderlands 2?

Some players find TPS more challenging due to its faster enemy movement, more aggressive AI, and reliance on elemental damage types. The low-gravity environments can also add complexity to combat.

9. What makes Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel unique?

The main unique features are the low-gravity environments, the addition of oxygen kits, and the ability to butt-slam enemies. These mechanics add a new dimension to combat and exploration.

10. Are the characters in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel interesting?

Yes! The playable characters – Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, Claptrap – are all compelling in their own right, with unique backstories, skill trees, and personalities that add depth to the game world. They are also the origin stories to main characters in later games.

11. Is Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel a full game or a DLC?

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is a standalone game, not a DLC. It’s a fully-fledged entry in the Borderlands series with its own story, characters, and gameplay mechanics.

12. What’s the difference between Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel?

While sharing similar core mechanics, TPS introduces low-gravity environments and oxygen kits. The story focuses on Handsome Jack’s rise to power, and the playable characters offer different perspectives than those in Borderlands 2. Some fans also consider TPS’s humor to be less consistently strong than Borderlands 2.

13. Will playing Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel improve my Borderlands 3 experience?

Indirectly, yes. Understanding Handsome Jack’s backstory adds emotional weight to his legacy in Borderlands 3. However, the specific events of TPS have little direct impact on the Borderlands 3 storyline.

14. Is it worth buying Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel if I already own Borderlands 2?

Yes, if you enjoy the Borderlands franchise and are interested in a new perspective on the story, unique gameplay mechanics, and a deeper understanding of Handsome Jack. However, consider waiting for a sale if you’re on a budget.

15. Where does Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel fit into the overall Borderlands timeline?

It takes place primarily between Borderlands 1 and Borderlands 2, but is narrated after the events of Borderlands 2. It details Handsome Jack’s transformation from a Hyperion programmer to the tyrannical CEO we know and love to hate.