By Brett Molina , based on child development research. How do we rate?
Stylish but super-gory shooter where you kill with abandon.
Parents need to know that Borderlands is a very gruesome first-person shooter meant for adults only. Besides using strong language and mature humor, the game is quite violent. Players amass a large collection of weapons which they use to kill humans and creatures native to the planet they're visiting. When enemies are…
The worst words used are "f--k", "s--t", and "p---y".
Violence & ScarinessPlayers will use a large array of weapons to kill both human and non-human enemi
Products & PurchasesThe game has fictional gun manufacturers that create the weapons players will us
Drinking, Drugs & Smoking Not present Sex, Romance & Nudity Not presentThe game begins with a quick tutorial that helps players learn the shooting cont
Positive Role ModelsPlayers assume the role of mercenaries on a search for a legendary vault while a
Positive Messages Not presentPlayers pretty much kill anything and everything in their sights (with the excep
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Players will use a large array of weapons to kill both human and non-human enemies, including assault rifles, shotguns, pistols, sniper rifles and rocket launchers. Some weapons have elemental effects that deal more damage. For example, the bullets of some guns will set enemies on fire or electrocute them. Enemies scream after dying, with final attacks resulting in spewing blood, loss of limbs or decapitation. Prepare for lots of gore.
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The game has fictional gun manufacturers that create the weapons players will use. However, you'll only notice this when you acquire a new weapon.
The game begins with a quick tutorial that helps players learn the shooting controls. As you discover new items, the game will explain what they are and how each is used. The game is good at offering instruction throughout the adventure.
Players assume the role of mercenaries on a search for a legendary vault while amassing as many guns and as much cash as they can get their hands on.
Players pretty much kill anything and everything in their sights (with the exception of mission-providing humans, who cannot be hurt) without much consequence. Also, players can loot the money and possessions of others, even when the character is standing right in front of them, with no consequences.
Parents need to know that Borderlands is a very gruesome first-person shooter meant for adults only. Besides using strong language and mature humor, the game is quite violent. Players amass a large collection of weapons which they use to kill humans and creatures native to the planet they're visiting. When enemies are killed, blood often shoots in the air. In some cases, limbs fly off bodies and heads can be decapitated. Prepare for plenty of blood and gore. The game is also playable online, a feature Common Sense Media does not recommend for children under the age of 12.
Based on 36 parent reviews
November 6, 2020This game sure is violent but the fast gameplay makes notice nothing when you shoot an enemy’s head of. Also the games cartoony so it’s not that violent. The swearing isn’t bad either the worst word is s**t and almost is never used. The most used words are the b word and a**hole. No nudity of sex.
GamingMom51 Parent of 10 and 14-year-old November 17, 2013I originally heard about this game from my son who said he had a lot of friends who were playing it and said it's fun. I picked it up to play for myself before allowing him to play it. The vast majority of the violence in this game is against non-human enemies and there is not a ton of blood. The only tiny problem is that there is some language that I wouldn't want my kids using. But it isn't as if they haven't heard this language before at school or just out in public. And just because they're hearing the language, doesn't mean that they're going to repeat it. Overall, it's a really fun game that is appropriate for teens and adults.
Borderlands follows four mercenaries -- Brick the Berserker, Lilith the Siren, Mordecai the Hunter, and Roland the Soldier -- as they visit the planet of Pandora in search of a legendary alien vault believed to contain rare technology and infinite wealth. Guided by a guardian angel and the inhabitants of Pandora, players choose a character and begin their journey. The game is best described as a first-person shooter with some role-playing elements, such as gathering experience points and boosting specific combat skills. The story is open, so players can choose to take on quests linked to the main adventure or accept side quests to earn cash or experience. Players can tackle the adventure solo, with another player in split-screen mode, or in four-player cooperative action online.
Borderlands' big draw is its huge arsenal, which consists of thousands of guns randomly generated throughout its environments. The weapons feel quite different compared to other shooters and are really fun to use. Ammo contains elemental properties that can add acid, fire or electric damage. The urge to test out newly discovered firearms is often enough incentive to march through the lengthy campaign.
Complementing the unique arsenal is a vibrant world that employs a cel-shaded animation reminiscent of a comic book. The game features a wide variety of enemies, both big and small. They're not always very smart, however. While you would expect animals to run toward you without a thought, it's hard to watch human enemies present themselves as such easy targets. The game also includes an impressive, seamless online experience where up to three players can join your game at any time. Alternatively, you can join anyone else's game. Groups of players can also enter arenas for four-player competitive multiplayer, making it very easy to get lost in the world of Borderlands.
Online interaction: Players can join others games at any time in cooperative and competitive play, and the game includes open chat with others. That means the range of language and ideas (good or bad) that could be encountered online is unknowable.
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
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