Nintendo has taken a significant step in improving the backward compatibility of its new console, Nintendo Switch 2, with the implementation of firmware update version 21.0.1. This update is designed to optimize the performance of certain third-party titles that had previously experienced functionality issues on the hybrid console. One of the games that has received special attention is NieR Automata, which now runs more smoothly thanks to Nintendo’s efforts. NieR Automata for those who have a Switch 2 Among the additional improvements, this version fixes bugs that arose when trying to transfer […]
Nintendo has taken a significant step in improving the backward compatibility of its new console, Nintendo Switch 2, with the implementation of firmware update version 21.0.1. This update is designed to optimize the performance of certain third-party titles that have previously experienced operational issues on the hybrid console. One of the games that has received special attention is NieR Automata, which now runs more smoothly thanks to Nintendo’s efforts.
NieR Automata for those who have a Switch 2
Among the additional improvements, this version fixes errors that occurred when trying to transfer data from an original Switch to the new console. Users had reported issues, including error codes that interrupted the data migration process. Additionally, annoying disconnections affecting some wireless controllers and Bluetooth audio devices have been resolved, which occurred after exiting sleep mode or disabling airplane mode.
Despite these advancements, there are popular titles that still need attention, such as Borderlands 3, which still does not work optimally on the platform. The previous update, version 21.0.0, had already addressed compatibility issues with important titles such as Batman: Arkham Knight, Hitman 3 Cloud Version, and Windjammers, but the path to perfect backward compatibility remains a challenge for the Japanese company.
Finally, it is important to note that this update does not fix the issues affecting certain third-party docks. The manufacturers of these devices are responsible for providing patches to resolve these incompatibilities. Thus, Nintendo continues to work on improving the experience for its users, but the gaming community eagerly awaits solutions for all the problematic titles to be implemented in the near future.
Borderlands 4 is at a tonal crossroads, seeking to correct the excessive reliance on toilet humor that characterized its predecessor, Borderlands 3. The latter was criticized for its focus on tasteless jokes, leading to a widespread negative response from players. Not even FromSoftware is safe. Although Borderlands 4 has tried to reduce this trend, some aspects, like the villains, remain devoid of personality. Many of them feel like mere lifeless entities, with introductions that barely manage to fill the void on their business cards. However, the […]
Borderlands 4 is at a tonal crossroads, seeking to correct the excessive reliance on toilet humor that characterized its predecessor, Borderlands 3. The latter was criticized for its focus on tasteless jokes, leading to widespread negative feedback from players.
Neither is FromSoftware safe
Despite the fact that Borderlands 4 has tried to reduce this trend, some aspects, such as the villains, remain devoid of personality. Many of them feel like mere lifeless entities, with introductions that barely manage to fill the void in their business cards. However, side missions seem to offer the missing personality in the main storyline, including references to popular memes.
One of the most notable examples is the Forgive Me mission, which pays homage to the narrative of FromSoftware games. This unmarked mission begins in a cave located in the Terminus Ranges area, with a design reminiscent of the dark and exploratory environments typical of Soulbornes. Activities like these enrich the game, offering content that not only entertains but also connects with a broader gamer culture.
The character of Vycarias, known as the Lore-Singer, stands as a beacon of narrative in the game, presenting an extensive monologue about elements of the lore that had not been previously explored. His presence adds a layer of depth to the experience, similar to reading a detailed wiki entry of a universe that you barely understand, but that you grasp thanks to his delivery.
With the release of Borderlands 4, the developers aim not only to attract critics of the previous humor but also to enrich the overall player experience with meaningful content and cultural references. Undoubtedly, the community will be watching closely how this new installment unfolds within the popular Borderlands universe.
Gearbox has introduced a new system for Borderlands 4 that incorporates licensed parts, allowing behaviors from different manufacturers to be integrated into the same weapons, thus increasing the element of surprise when obtaining new armaments. This innovation was announced by executive producer Chris Brock, who emphasized that while the previous system was solid, this new approach offers more opportunities for surprise. Returning to the roots With the intention of improving gameplay, the studio is making significant adjustments to movement and exploration, similar to the changes that were implemented with the weapon system in Borderlands […]
Gearbox has introduced a new system for Borderlands 4 that incorporates licensed parts, allowing behaviors from different manufacturers to be integrated into the same weapons, thus increasing the element of surprise when acquiring new armaments. This innovation was announced by executive producer Chris Brock, who emphasized that, although the previous system was solid, this new approach offers more opportunities for surprise.
Returning to the origins
With the intention of improving gameplay, the studio is making significant adjustments to movement and exploration, similar to the changes implemented with the weapon system in Borderlands 3. However, Gearbox does not neglect the shooting and looting mechanics, which will remain central to the game experience.
Borderlands 4 will see the return of five classic weapon manufacturers along with the addition of three new ones. This combination of elements aims to increase randomness, which could be both appealing and overwhelming for some players. The presentation of Borderlands 4 during the game’s fan fest has received positive reactions, although critics point out that there is still no definitive sense of the final product based on a limited gameplay sample.
Aside from the innovations in the weapon system, the game also promises to return to simpler mission designs reminiscent of Borderlands 1, which could capture the attention of players longing for a less complex experience. However, more critical fans may have reservations about the increase in randomization and its impact on game balance, as many players still remember the overwhelming approach presented with the famous premise of a billion weapons from previous installments.
With expectations growing and some rumors about new features we might see in future updates, Borderlands 4 is on track to deliver a robust experience although for now it remains a developing mystery.
Gearbox Software has shared an update on the development of Borderlands 4, revealing that they are “confident” that their upcoming looter shooter will surpass Borderlands 3. Randy Pitchford, the head of the company, has been interacting with fans on Twitter through polls, trying to identify the factors they consider most important in defining a “better” game. However, their findings have sparked an interesting debate within the community. Borderlands 2 is a bigger game, in the minds of players. In the polls, fans expressed that they value “high playtime” above […]
Gearbox Software has shared an update on the development of Borderlands 4, revealing that they are “confident” that their upcoming looter shooter will surpass Borderlands 3. Randy Pitchford, the head of the company, has been interacting with fans on Twitter through polls, trying to identify the factors they consider most important in defining a “better” game. However, his findings have sparked an interesting debate within the community.
Borderlands 2 is a bigger game, in the minds of players
In the surveys, fans expressed that they value “high play hours” above other criteria. Despite this, Pitchford noted an interesting point: players considered Borderlands 2 to be a “bigger” game than Borderlands 3, even though statistics show a higher average playtime in the third title. The developer explained that the perception of playtime is influenced by extremes, where some players only spend a few minutes and others hundreds of hours, complicating the evaluation.
“We shouldn’t focus only on time; what matters is relativity,” Pitchford argued, who also acknowledges that individual tastes vary and that the entertainment experience is subjective. However, the results of their surveys suggest that Borderlands 3 could be considered “better” than Borderlands 2 according to the criteria of the respondents.
Regarding Borderlands 4, Pitchford concluded that “by any standard we have considered, we are confident that Borderlands 4 is turning out to be better than Borderlands 3 in all the measurements we have, including the subjective ones.” Franchise fans will have to wait to verify these claims, as Borderlands 4 is scheduled to be released on September 12, arriving 11 days earlier than originally expected.
The world of Pandora has come to the Fortnite island as part of a surprise Borderlands crossover. Players that head to the game’s desert biome will be able to see a variety of areas inspired by 2k’s upcoming shoot-and-loot game as part of the Fortnite x Mayhem event.
Fortnite gets a Borderlands crossover
Image courtesy Epic Games
Borderlands 3 made headlines and caused controversy earlier this year when it was announced that the forthcoming game would be exclusive to the Epic Games store. That partnership between 2K and Epic seems to be continuing in the form of a massive bundle of Borderlands content for Fortnite. Players that visit the in-game store will be able to purchase a Psycho character skin; these marauders are some of the most prevalent enemies in the Borderlands world. In addition, a pair of Buzz Axe mining tools and Claptrap back bling are also available for purchase.
Claptrap is just as annoying (or lovable?) as ever, acting similar to one of Fortnite’s in-game pets. He’ll provide color commentary during play and react extensively to the world, and is easily one of the most animated and lively back blings in the game to date.
Image courtesy Epic Games
In addition to the new store items, players have until September 10th to complete a set of Borderlands-inspired challenges. Doing so will net tons of Borderlands themed rewards, from stickers to emotes to weapon skins worthy of any Vault Hunter.
Image courtesy Epic Games
Jumping into the game itself, players that head to the southeastern edge of the map’s desert area will find themselves in for a trip to the lawless world of Pandora. The game world within the Rift Zone has been given an almost total overhaul. The first and most apparent feature is the change to the game’s visuals. The saturated color palette and cel-shaded graphics in the area are ripped straight from Borderlands, and will leave players wondering if they accidentally stumbled into a different game.
The area itself is also loaded with new locations and items, such as Pandora’s alien-looking flora and fauna and collections of ramshackle wasteland settlements. Even the game’s chest have received a makeover to look like in-game loot chests from Borderlands.
It’s an ambitious crossover, and one that serves to cement the relationship between 2K and Epic. Borderlands 3 will be available September 13th, and the Fortnite event will run until September 10th. Hopefully, though, this colorful new Borderlands area will stay in-game until the end of Season 10.
From the depths of the Vault to the wilds of Pandora, these baddies rocked us to the core!
The Borderlands series is known for a lot of things: cartoony graphics, ridiculous humor, and an absolutely stupid amount of unique and deadly weapons for players to use.
It’s also known for its boss battles. The iconic shoot-and-loot series has a reputation for boss battles that are both over-the-top and notoriously hard. With three games already and a fourth on the way, there certainly isn’t any shortage of bad guys to fight. Here’s our list of the 10 best boss fights in the Borderlands series.
The 10 best Borderlands boss battles
10. The Sentinel- Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
Image courtesy Gearbox Software
After finally arriving at Eleseer after fighting your way through the hordes of enemies littering Pandora’s moon Elpis, you encounter The Sentinel. This ancient vault guardian is a tough, agile opponent with a wicked looking energy axe.
Once The Sentinel lies defeated, then you get to the real boss battle: a massive version of The Sentinel, known as The Empyrean Sentinel, emerges from the floor of the Vault. Then the true fight begins: a long, three-stage clash with this colossal and intimidating opponent.
9. Sledge- Borderlands
Image courtesy Gearbox Software
By all accounts, Sledge isn’t a nice dude. He makes his living terrorizing the people of Fyrestone and engaging in all sorts of atrocities, such as reportedly skinning an entire family alive. He antagonizes the players for most of the opening stages of the game before you eventually gather your strength and head to his hideout to take him down. If you can avoid his brutal hammer and survive waves of bandits, you’ll get to land a satisfying final blow on this brute.
8. BNK3R- Borderlands 2
Image courtesy Gearbox Software
About midway through Borderlands 2, you and your team of Vault Hunters set out to rescue Angel from the Handsome Jack’s bunker. Upon arrival at the fortress, you find that the bunker isn’t actually a bunker at all: it’s a giant combat drone dubbed BNK3R. What ensues is a tough, drag-out fight against a flying opponent bristling with deadly weapons. Though it can be a frustrating battle, seeing the loot raining from BNK3R’s flaming husk after finishing it off is worth the struggle.
7. The Destroyer- Borderlands
Image courtesy Gearbox Software
For most of Borderlands, it’s assumed that your final fight will be with the ruthless Commandant Steele, a Siren and leader of the Atlas Corporation’s Crimson Lance commando unit. At the game’s climax, Steele beats you to the Vault and opens it, only to be impaled and devoured by the game’s true final boss, The Destroyer.
This godlike, interdimensional being is a disgusting sight to behold: a mass of writhing flesh and bone with a single beady eye at the center. The fight against The Destroyer can be one of the hardest in the game, and you’ll want to be sure that you have plenty of ammo on hand. You’ll need to whittle down The Destroyer’s health bar while dodging devastating attacks to claim your final victory.
6. Hyperius the Invincible- Borderlands 2
Image courtesy Gearbox Software
To say that Hyperius is a tough fight might be underselling it a bit. Added as part of the “Captain Scarlett” DLC, Hyperius is a raid boss in the truest sense of the term. Even with a full squad of four players, defeating Hyperius is still a monumental feat. The key is taking out the deranged Hyperion engineer’s squad of shield-generating robots, and each one is tough enough to be a boss by itself. It’s a frustrating, rage-inducing battle, but making it to the end will net you some truly sweet loot.
Borderlands 2 gets DLC leading up to Borderlands 3
This fight carries a lot more weight if you’ve played The Pre-Sequel. Handsome Jack’s most vicious and ruthless enforcer, Wilhelm is actually a playable character in The Pre-Sequel. A mercenary with a surgical addiction, Wilhelm is constantly searching for ways to cybernetically enhance his body to get an edge on the battlefield. Mostly human in The Pre-Sequel, by the time you encounter him in Borderlands 2 Wilhelm is more machine than man. You’ll be forced to take on Wilhelm in the wreckage of a crashed train and bring the mercenary’s story to its final conclusion.
4. Crawmerax- Borderlands
Image courtesy Gearbox Software
For a creature that’s essentially nothing more than a giant lobster, Crawmerax poses a pretty big threat. Added as part of a DLC expansion, Crawmerax was the first raid boss of the Borderlands series. Players take on this gargantuan shellfish as part of the aptly titled mission “You. Will. Die.” Easily one of the most time-consuming bosses in the entire series, taking Crawmerax down is a challenge even with a full party.
3. Terramorphous- Borderlands 2
Image courtesy Gearbox Software
A worthy predecessor to Crawmerax, Terramorphous is a giant thresher that spawns only after beating the main storyline of Borderlands 2. The fight is essentially impossible unless you’ve got a full party of max level characters with some pretty hefty equipment. However, legend has it that one Gearbox employee figured out a build that allowed him to take on the fight solo. That said, we don’t recommend trying it at home. After all, there’s a reason the Terramorphous mission is called “You. Will. Die. (Seriously.)”
2. Bloodwing- Borderlands 2
Image courtesy Gearbox Software
No matter the game, the most memorable boss battles are more than just shooting up tough opponents. Veterans of the original Borderlands know Bloodwing as Mordecai’s beloved animal companion. Playing through the game as Mordecai allowed players to level up their avian pal and eventually form a tight bond with him. In Borderlands 2, you aid Mordecai in a rescue mission with the intent of freeing the captured Bloodwing from the clutches of Handsome Jack. Unfortunately, Jack forces Bloodwing to fight the players and Mordecai. What follows is an emotional and agonizing fight that eventually ends when Jack remotely detonates Bloodwing’s explosive collar, bringing the loyal bird’s story to a heartbreaking end.
1. Handsome Jack- Borderlands 2
Image courtesy Gearbox Software
After taunting you, killing your friends, and attempting to stop you over the course of the entire game, you finally get to take on Jack face-to-face in the depths of the Warrior Vault. It’s a hard but cathartic fight; Jack battles viciously, mocking you the entire time. Taking out an entire game’s worth of aggression on Jack is immensely satisfying. Once you have Jack on his last legs, you’re presented with a choice: kill Jack yourself, or let Lilith have the honor. Regardless, listening to the egomaniacal Hyperion CEO whimper out his last words is a sweet, sweet reward for making it to the end of the game… even if you do have to turn around and fight another boss right after he goes down.
Wrapping up
With a roster of impressive fights and memorable bad guys already, Borderlands 3 has quite a high standard to live up to. Be sure to check back with Softonic for more news and updates about the forthcoming Borderlands title.
Gearbox releases DLC for Borderlands 2, which paves the way for Borderlands 3!
I want you! Also, take notice that she has no tattoos.
Borderlands 3 is only a few months away.
Wow, it feels so good saying that.
Before the game finally drops, Gearbox is giving us more and more information about the game at E3. This includes this awesome new trailer:
However, that’s not all the good news we got from Gearbox. In a unique move, they released a surprise DLC package for Borderlands 2. The new expansion is called Commander Lilith and the Fight for Sanctuary.
In this new expansion, a new gang of baddies invades Sanctuary. Luckily, Lilith is here to take charge in the fight against them.
The DLC is FREE to download for the Handsome Collection until July 8.
After the death of her boyfriend Roland, Lilith is now the leader of his battalion, the Crimson Raiders. With Handsome Jack out of the way, Lilith is planning to take Sanctuary to the stars to uncover more vaults. The story ends with a bang as we gear up for Borderlands 3.
If you don’t want to know everything that happens in the DLC, read no further as there are SPOILERS BELOW. Now let’s dive in!
This is what we learned from the Borderlands 3 trailer
One of the new types of weapon in Borderlands 3 will be Effervescent guns. These weapons shoot explosions of rainbows at enemies. They also have unique features like spraying bullets upon reloading. They seem to be few and far between, so consider yourself lucky if you find one.
Scooter is really dead
See you, space cowboy.
Sadly, Scooter’s death from Tales from the Borderlands looks like it is going to stick. In the game, Scooter bravely sacrifices himself for the heroes as he rides a rocket doomed to explode.
To give us closure, Gearbox has included a mission in the DLC to carry out Scooter’s last will and testament. This includes normal Scooter stuff like delivering nudie magazines. However, you also visit Scooter’s sister Ellie to tell her that she is inheriting his business, Catch-a-Ride.
Although we are going to miss Scooter, we are happy to see Ellie return to the franchise. If you are looking for closure for Scooter, this DLC is the answer.
Lilith might have lost her powers
Sup
At the end of the game, Lilith has to cause a massive explosion to kill the final boss as well as all of Sanctuary. However, Lilith appears to have REALLY overdone it.
As she slowly recovers, we don’t see her use her Siren powers. If you listened closely to the new Borderlands 3 trailer, you probably heard Lilith say that she USED to be a Siren. This suggests that Lilith could have very well lost her powers by causing the explosion.
Lilith also appears to no longer have her tattoos in the Borderlands 3 trailer. As Sirens all have tattoos on their bodies, it all but confirms our theory.
We’re going off-world!
The end of Borderlands 2 suggests that the vault hunters would be going off-world to find more vaults. However, it doesn’t seem like Lilith put any of that plan into action in the years since Handsome Jack’s demise.
However, after defeating the final boss, Lilith reveals that she thinks they should begin to go after the vaults. Her theory is that they are all connected and that there might be a bigger baddie out there trying to round them all up.
Wrapping up
Let’s say it one more time just for good measure:
Borderlands 3 is only a few months away.
Until it comes out on Sept. 13, we are probably going to marathon every Borderlands game and all of the DLC. Feel free to join us, and make sure you are listening to some decent dubstep while you’re at it.
See how one game company is fighting against fake negative reviews.
The announcement of the much-anticipated Borderlands 3 has been met with quite a bit of hype in the gaming scene. It’s also garnered more than its fair share of controversy, largely based on publisher 2K’s decision to make the PC versions of the game exclusive to the newly launched Epic Games Store. Fans of the game and users of Valve’s popular Steam store have responded with a practice known as “review bombing,” but Valve is fighting back with new tools that could make a huge difference in the PC game store environment.
Valve launches new tool to fight review bombs
Image courtesy Gearbox Software
Though the Borderlands 3 controversy is only the latest incidence, the practice of “review bombing” has been around for some time. Essentially, users will intentionally leave bad reviews for a publisher’s game as a form of protest. The goal is to systematically bring down a game’s aggregate score on a particular digital storefront. As many online storefronts rely heavily on reviews, large quantities of bad reviews can have a major adverse effect on a game’s success or failure.
In the case of Borderlands 3, the outrage stems from fans who are upset with the decision to make the forthcoming game exclusive to the Epic Games store, bypassing the more popular Steam service. In response to the perceived slight, Steam gamers have review bombed other titles in the Borderlands franchise. Valve is responding to the review bombs by taking steps to rectify the problem.
Valve has launched a new tool designed to counter the review bombs. The tool in question automatically scans game reviews for one-sentence or off-topic reviews, and prevents those reviews from affecting the game’s overall score. Reviews are still able to be seen by other users, but won’t be able to have an adverse effect on the game’s rating.
Image courtesy Valve
As seen in the image above, players will be able to see the breakdown of reviews and whether or not they affect the game’s scores. The tool blocked all reviews made from April 3 to April 7, when the majority of the review bombing was occurring. This new tool could do quite a bit to help Valve fight back against the growing popularity of the Epic Games store. Though still the top PC game store, Steam has seen an increasing number of titles migrating to the Epic Store. As major titles become Epic exclusives, Steam loses out on post-release profits, and review bombs also contribute to profit loss. As pointed out by Gearbox Software’s Randy Pitchford, the review bombing practice can have the adverse effect of driving more developers to the Epic Store:
Ironically, that this misuse is possible and that Steam has no interest in correcting this misuse makes me kind of happy about 2k’s decision and makes me want to reconsider Gearbox Publishing’s current posture on the platform.
Only time will tell whether Steam will retain its seat as the king of PC gaming, and taking steps such as these will doubtless help the embattled storefront retain its position.
