Video game:Microsoft Xbox 360 Borderlands

Borderlands is a role-playing first-person shooter developed by Gearbox Software. Released in 2009 for the PlayStation 3, PC, and Xbox 360, the game became the first entry in what players now consider an iconic video game series.

Borderlands takes place on a fictional planet known as Pandora, which supposedly contains a hidden vault filled with advanced alien technology. Gamers can choose to play as Roland The Soldier,��??Lilith The Siren,��??Mordecai The Hunter,��??and Brick The Berserker.��??All four of these player classes have unique characteristics and abilities, which will both aid and perhaps hinder the player in certain situations throughout the game. Though operating as a standard first-person shooter, the RPG (role-playing game) elements comprise the most fulfilling experiences in Borderlands. Players earn XP (experience points) for killing enemies, completing quests, and finishing challenges. When the player earns enough XP to level-up their character, they earn Upgrade Points which can then be used to upgrade certain aspects of their characters. These include increasing the character?s health, increasing the amount of damage the character deals onto enemies, and learning of new abilities.

The game takes place across several large open-world maps, which players traverse by using fast travel locations. These different maps vary in the type of terrain the player travels across, the sorts of enemies that the player encounters, and the types of weapons which can be found. The areas also include side quests to complement the main storyline, which allow dedicated players a more fulfilling experience. Borderlands also relies heavily on its loot-system, which functions as a key part of the gameplay. Different items such as weapons, money, and other equipment can be picked up from defeated enemies, certain crates and chests, and other locations. These items vary in value and prestige, which adds a layer of excitement for players when searching for the next best loot-able item. The game also features distinctive cartoon-like action graphics, a hallmark for the series.

Both consumers and critics received the game very highly. Within just a few months of release, Borderlands sold over two million copies, and that number grew to over three million by early 2010. Gearbox released four pieces of DLC (downloadable content) as add-ons to expand on the main game. These expansions included new areas to explore, additional quests to complete, new items to collect, and an increased level cap, which allowed players to keep leveling up their characters beyond the original ceiling. The game?s direct sequel, Borderlands 2, featured the four playable characters available in the first game as NPCs (non-playable characters) who play a main part in that game?s story.