Borderlands Showdown: GOTY vs. Handsome Collection – Which Vault Hunter Experience is Right for You?

So, you’re itching to dive into the chaotic, loot-filled world of Pandora, but you’re staring down two different versions of Borderlands and feeling a little lost? Fear not, Vault Hunter! Let’s break down the key differences between Borderlands: Game of the Year (GOTY) and Borderlands: The Handsome Collection so you can choose the adventure that suits you best.

The core difference is simple: Borderlands GOTY (specifically the Enhanced Edition) is a remastered version of the original Borderlands game. The Handsome Collection, on the other hand, contains Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, along with all of their respective downloadable content (DLC). It’s a two-for-one deal focusing on the Handsome Jack era.

The Nitty-Gritty: Unpacking Each Collection

To really understand the best choice for you, let’s delve into what each collection offers.

Borderlands: Game of the Year (GOTY) Enhanced Edition

This isn’t just a re-release of the original Borderlands. It’s a significant upgrade, bringing the aged classic into the modern gaming landscape.

• The Core Game: You get the base game that started it all, featuring the original four Vault Hunters: Lilith, Roland, Mordecai, and Brick.
• Visual Overhaul: The most significant improvement is the enhanced graphics. Expect sharper textures, improved lighting, and an overall more visually appealing experience. It can display in 4K resolution.
• All DLC Included: This includes all four of the original add-on packs: The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot, The Secret Armory of General Knoxx, and Claptrap’s Robot Revolution. These add considerable playtime and unique loot.
• Quality of Life Improvements: The GOTY Enhanced edition borrows some features from Borderlands 2, such as a mini-map and automatic pickup of ammo and cash, making the game more streamlined and enjoyable.
• New Weapons and Customization: Enjoy some new legendary weapons to discover and some new character customization options.

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection

This collection is a package of two full games, both focused on the rise and fall of the infamous Handsome Jack. It provides a much larger scope of story and content than the GOTY edition.

• Borderlands 2: Widely considered the pinnacle of the series by many, Borderlands 2 offers a sprawling campaign, memorable characters, a compelling story, and a vast amount of loot.
• Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel: This game bridges the gap between Borderlands and Borderlands 2, showing how Handsome Jack transitioned from a Hyperion employee to the tyrannical dictator seen in Borderlands 2. It introduces unique gameplay mechanics like low-gravity environments and Oz kits.
• All DLC Included: The Handsome Collection bundles all downloadable content released for both Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. This includes campaign add-ons, playable character packs (like Krieg the Psycho and Gaige the Mechromancer for Borderlands 2 and Jack the Doppelganger and Aurelia the Baroness for The Pre-Sequel), level cap upgrades, and various cosmetic packs. This amounts to hundreds of hours of additional gameplay.
• Next-Gen Optimization: The Handsome Collection was built specifically for next-gen consoles, offering enhanced performance and visuals compared to the original releases on older hardware. (Though it also works on PC.)
• Local Co-op: A great feature of this collection is the ability to play four player split-screen co-op.

Choosing Your Vault Hunting Adventure

So, which collection should you choose? Here’s a quick guide:

• If you’re new to the series and want to start at the beginning: Borderlands GOTY Enhanced is the perfect starting point. It allows you to experience the origin story and get a feel for the core gameplay loop.
• If you’re primarily interested in the story of Handsome Jack: The Handsome Collection is the obvious choice. It covers the entirety of his arc, from his rise to power to his eventual downfall.
• If you want the most content for your money: The Handsome Collection provides the most bang for your buck. With two full games and all of their DLC, you’ll have countless hours of gameplay.
• If you prioritize visual fidelity and graphical improvements in Borderlands 1: The GOTY Enhanced version is a no-brainer. It provides a significantly better-looking version of the original game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Borderlands: The Handsome Collection include Borderlands 1? No, The Handsome Collection contains only Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel.

2. Is Borderlands GOTY Enhanced the same as Borderlands 1? Yes, it is the same game, but with remastered graphics, quality of life improvements, and all of the original DLC included.

3. Is Borderlands 2 better than Borderlands 1? Many fans consider Borderlands 2 to be the superior game due to its more compelling story, memorable characters (especially Handsome Jack), and improved gameplay mechanics. However, the original holds a special place in many players’ hearts.

4. Does The Handsome Collection include all DLC for Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel? Yes, it includes all available DLC released for both games up to a certain date in 2015.

5. Is the Handsome Collection worth it? Absolutely! Considering it includes two full games and all of their DLC at a budget-friendly price, it’s an incredible value for fans of the series.

6. Which Borderlands game should I play first if I’m new to the series? Start with Borderlands GOTY Enhanced to experience the original story and characters. Then, play Borderlands 2 and finally, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel.

7. Is Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel a full game or just DLC? Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is a standalone game, not just DLC.

8. What are the playable characters in Borderlands 2? Axton the Commando, Maya the Siren, Zer0 the Assassin, Salvador the Gunzerker, Gaige the Mechromancer (DLC), and Krieg the Psycho (DLC).

9. Can I play Borderlands: The Handsome Collection in split-screen? Yes, the Handsome Collection supports local co-op with up to four players on consoles.

10. Is Borderlands GOTY Enhanced worth buying if I already own the original Borderlands? If you value graphical improvements and the included DLC, then yes. The Enhanced edition offers a superior experience to the original release.

11. Are there any major gameplay differences between Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel? Yes, The Pre-Sequel introduces low-gravity environments, Oz kits (which provide oxygen and special abilities), and cryo weapons.

12. Does the order in which I play the Borderlands games matter? While each game has a self-contained story, playing them in order (Borderlands, Borderlands 2, then The Pre-Sequel) will provide a more cohesive narrative experience.

13. Is Borderlands a good game for learning? Yes, particularly in collaborative problem solving and resource management. For more on the educational benefits of games, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

14. Will there be a Borderlands 4? While nothing is confirmed, given the series’ continued popularity, Borderlands 4 is highly likely to be developed in the future.

15. Are the Borderlands games appropriate for children? The Borderlands games are rated M for Mature due to violence, language, and suggestive themes. They are not recommended for children.

Final Verdict

Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your individual preferences. Do you want to start at the beginning with a visually updated classic? Go for Borderlands GOTY Enhanced. Are you eager to dive into the acclaimed sequel and its prequel, complete with all the bells and whistles? The Handsome Collection is your go-to. Either way, you’re in for a wild and loot-filled ride!