So, you’re eyeing Borderlands 3 on PS5, huh? Maybe you’re a seasoned Vault Hunter looking for a next-gen revisit, or perhaps you’re a newbie tempted by the promise of chaotic co-op and billions of guns. Whatever your reason, you’re in the right place. This isn’t just another generic review; we’re diving deep into the PlayStation 5 experience of Borderlands 3, dissecting its performance, features, content, and whether it still holds up as a must-play in the ever-evolving world of loot-shooters. Let’s see if Pandora is still the place to be.
Borderlands 3 PS5: A Visual and Performance Overhaul
The most immediate difference you’ll notice jumping from older consoles to the PlayStation 5 is the significant visual and performance leap. Borderlands 3 on PS5 is a clear upgrade, offering a smoother, sharper, and more visually impressive experience.
Unleashing the Power of Next-Gen
The PS5’s hardware allows Borderlands 3 to shine like never before. The game targets a silky-smooth 60 frames per second at a dynamic 4K resolution. This means you’re getting a much more responsive and visually appealing experience, especially during the frantic firefights that Borderlands 3 is known for.
The dynamic resolution scaling ensures that the frame rate remains consistent even during the most demanding scenes. This is crucial in a game like Borderlands 3, where the screen is frequently filled with explosions, particle effects, and enemies. Furthermore, the improved draw distance makes the environments feel more expansive and immersive. You’ll notice details in the landscapes that were previously blurred or simply didn’t load in on older consoles.
Load Times: A Thing of the Past?
One of the most welcome improvements is the dramatically reduced load times. Remember those agonizing waits between areas on previous generations? The PS5’s SSD virtually eliminates them. Fast travel is now almost instantaneous, and loading into new maps takes a fraction of the time. This significantly improves the overall pacing of the game, allowing you to spend more time blasting baddies and less time twiddling your thumbs.
Consider these perspectives gathered from Reddit users:
“The load times alone make it worth replaying on PS5. It’s night and day,” as one user wrote. And another, reflecting on the older gen experience, chimed in saying “
I spent half my time waiting on the game to load, now I’m actually playing it!”.
The Visual Impact: More Than Just Resolution
The visual upgrades go beyond just resolution and frame rate. The PS5 version features improved textures, lighting, and shadows. Character models look sharper, environments are more detailed, and the overall visual fidelity is significantly enhanced. The vibrant art style of Borderlands 3 really pops on the PS5, making the world of Pandora and its surrounding planets feel even more alive.
Content and Gameplay: Is It Still Engaging?
Beyond the visual and performance improvements, the core gameplay of Borderlands 3 remains largely the same on PS5. This is both a good and a bad thing, depending on your perspective.
The Core Loop: Loot, Shoot, and Laugh
At its heart, Borderlands 3 is a loot-shooter, and it excels at providing a satisfying loop of exploration, combat, and reward. You’ll spend your time completing quests, fighting enemies, and collecting increasingly powerful weapons and gear. The game features a staggering amount of loot, with millions of possible weapon combinations. This keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting, as you’re always on the hunt for that perfect gun.
The combat is fast-paced and chaotic, with a wide variety of enemies to fight and unique Vault Hunter abilities to master. Each of the four Vault Hunters (Amara, FL4K, Moze, and Zane) has their own distinct playstyle, encouraging multiple playthroughs.
Addressing Criticisms: Has Anything Changed?
Borderlands 3 wasn’t without its criticisms at launch. Some players found the story to be underwhelming, and others felt that the endgame content was lacking. Gearbox has addressed many of these criticisms through post-launch updates and DLC. The story remains the same, but the endgame has been significantly improved with the addition of Mayhem Mode, True Vault Hunter Mode, and various seasonal events.
However, the core narrative issues persist for some. As one critic, James Davenport from PC Gamer, succinctly put it: “The shooting is so good that I almost don’t care that the story and villains are so bad.”
All the Content, All the Time
The PS5 version of Borderlands 3 includes all the DLC released to date, including the four campaign expansions: Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot, Guns, Love, and Tentacles: The Marriage of Wainwright & Hammerlock, Bounty of Blood, and Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck. These expansions add hours of new content, including new characters, environments, and storylines.
In addition, the game includes various cosmetic packs, seasonal events, and other bonus content. If you’re looking for a game with a lot of replay value, Borderlands 3 on PS5 definitely delivers.
Features Specific to the PS5
The PS5 version of Borderlands 3 takes advantage of several features specific to the console, further enhancing the experience.
Activities and Game Help
The PS5’s Activities feature allows you to jump directly into specific missions or areas of the game from the console’s home screen. This is a convenient way to quickly access your favorite content or resume your progress on a particular quest.
The Game Help feature provides helpful tips and videos to guide you through the game. This is particularly useful for new players or those who are struggling with a particular challenge.
DualSense Controller Support
While not a game-changer, the DualSense controller offers subtle enhancements to the gameplay experience. The adaptive triggers provide resistance when firing certain weapons, adding a tactile feel to the combat. The haptic feedback provides subtle vibrations that correspond to in-game events, such as explosions or enemy attacks.
While these features aren’t essential, they do add a layer of immersion to the game.
Cross-Gen Play and Saves
Borderlands 3 supports cross-gen play, allowing you to play with friends who are on PS4 or PS5. You can also transfer your save data from PS4 to PS5, allowing you to pick up where you left off. This is a great feature for those who are upgrading from the previous generation console.
Borderlands 3 on PS5: Reddit’s Verdict
To get a pulse on the current community sentiment, I scoured Reddit. The general consensus is overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding performance. Many users highlighted the significant improvements in load times and frame rates.
“Honestly, the speed of loading makes farming for gear much less tedious,” wrote one user, a sentiment echoed by many others. Another user praised the visual upgrades, saying, “The game looks gorgeous on my 4K TV. It’s like a whole new experience.”
However, some users also pointed out that the core gameplay remains unchanged. “If you didn’t like the story or the characters on PS4, you’re not going to like them on PS5,” one user cautioned. “But if you enjoy the loot-shooter gameplay, the PS5 version is the definitive way to experience it.”
The Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
So, is Borderlands 3 on PS5 worth it? The answer, as always, depends on your individual preferences.
If you’re a fan of loot-shooters and you haven’t played Borderlands 3 before, the PS5 version is an excellent place to start. The game is packed with content, features fast-paced combat, and offers a rewarding loot system. The visual and performance upgrades on PS5 make it the definitive way to experience the game.
If you’ve already played Borderlands 3 on PS4, the decision is a bit more nuanced. The visual and performance improvements are significant, but the core gameplay remains the same. If you’re a die-hard fan of the game, the PS5 version is definitely worth considering. The faster load times and smoother frame rates will enhance your enjoyment.
However, if you were disappointed with the story or the characters on PS4, the PS5 version is unlikely to change your mind. Ultimately, the decision comes down to whether you’re willing to pay for a visual and performance upgrade.
Regardless, Borderlands 3 remains a solid and enjoyable loot-shooter. It’s a game that’s easy to pick up and play, and it offers countless hours of entertainment. If you’re looking for a fun and chaotic co-op experience, Borderlands 3 on PS5 is definitely worth checking out. The enhanced performance and visuals breathe new life into Pandora, making it a worthwhile adventure for both new and returning Vault Hunters.
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