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“Masterpiece” is a judgment, not a consensus label—but Borderlands was not the first game to mix shooting with loot-driven role-playing. Earlier experiments such as Hellgate: London explored that blend, while later games like Outriders developed it in their own directions. The best way to find a fit is to compare how each game handles combat, progression, story, co-op, and access today.
How Borderlands made the looter shooter recognizable
Borderlands helped make the looter-shooter formula legible to a wide audience: shoot enemies, collect gear, and use the resulting upgrades to shape a character. An Epic Games Store interview describes it as the game that defined the genre. That is a claim about recognition and influence, not proof that no earlier hybrid existed.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition - Nintendo Switch | $19.93 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Borderlands 4 Standard - PC Steam [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51gpM4oUSEL._SL160_.jpg)
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Borderlands 4 Standard - PC Steam [Online Game Code] | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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POP Funko Games: Borderlands 4 - Claptrap | $13.61 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Borderlands: Game of The Year Edition - PlayStation 4 | $13.51 | Buy on Amazon |
Borderlands 2 (2012), Destiny (2014), and The Division (2016) are among the major games that drove the genre’s popularity, according to the same interview. They are useful reference points, but they do not all offer the same kind of play: perspective, online structure, narrative focus, and the role of gear can vary substantially.
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Why it belongs in the conversation
Released in 2007, Hellgate: London is an early first-person action RPG built around loot. A GamesRadar retrospective treats it as a precursor to the looter shooter, while noting that its class and melee elements make a simple shooter label imperfect. Its significance is historical: it shows that developers were combining first-person combat and RPG-style loot before Borderlands became the genre’s popular reference point.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR VAULT HUNTER, YOUR PLAYSTYLE: Become one of four extraordinary Vault Hunters, each with unique abilities, playstyles, deep skill trees, and tons of personalization options.
- LOCK, LOAD, AND LOOT: With bazillions of guns and gadgets, every fight is an opportunity to score new gear. Firearms with self-propelling bullet shields? Check. Guns that grow legs and chase down enemies while hurling verbal insults? Yeah, got that too.
- A MAYHEM-FUELED THRILL RIDE: Discover new worlds beyond Pandora, each featuring unique environments to explore and enemies to destroy. Tear through hostile deserts, battle your way across war-torn cityscapes, navigate deadly bayous, and more!
- QUICK & SEAMLESS CO-OP ACTION: Play with a friend in online co-op, regardless of your level or mission progress. Take down enemies and challenges as a team, but reap rewards that are yours alone—no one misses out on loot.
- Includes: Borderlands 3 base game, Moxxi's Heist of the Handsome Jackpot, Guns, Love, and Tentacles: The Marriage of Wainwright & Hammerlock, Bounty of Blood, Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck, Designer's Cut, Director's Cut, and 30+ cosmetic items.
What that history does—and does not—promise
Being an influential precursor does not mean the game will feel polished by current standards or match what players now expect from a looter shooter. Nor does the historical case establish whether a supported edition is currently available, which platforms it runs on, or whether its online features work. Check a current platform listing and server or offline-support information before deciding how to play it.
Outriders shows how the formula can shift
Outriders is a useful comparison for readers who want a shooter-RPG with a stronger story-led frame rather than a direct substitute for Borderlands. In a GamesIndustry.biz developer interview, its team discussed studying loot systems in games including Borderlands and The Division while developing its own approach. That development context makes it an interesting design case; it does not establish current platform availability, online support, or that it suits every player.
Rank #2
- Pre-order Borderlands 4 and receive the Gilded Glory Pack featuring a Vault Hunter Skin, a Weapon Skin, and an ECHO-4 Drone Skin!*
- BE A BADASS: Become an unstoppable force of battle, blasting through enemies with an all-new arsenal of outrageous weaponry. Move across the Borderlands like never before—double jumping, gliding, dodging, grappling, and more—dealing death from every direction. Explode each encounter with devastating Action Skills that unleash your Vault Hunter's unique abilities. Craft your perfect build with branching skill trees and a deep, rewarding loot chase full of wild weapons and powerful gear.
- FIGHT SOLO OR CO-OP: Wreaking havoc across Kairos is awesome alone and even better with friends in 2-player splitscreen or up to 4-player online co-op.** Borderlands 4 is designed for co-op from the ground up; whether you're hunting for loot, tackling missions, or wandering freely, level scaling and individual difficulty keeps the party together and having fun.
- LESS BORDERS, MORE LANDS: Freely explore a vast and dangerous world rife with warring factions. Hop on your hover bike and ride through lush fields, towering peaks, and deadly deserts full of fearsome enemies, dynamic events, and engaging quests with unforgettable characters. Unite the people of Kairos and ignite a revolution, tackling this adventure however you see fit in a seamless Borderlands experience.
Choose by the kind of looter shooter you want
The genre label covers several different experiences. Use these distinctions to narrow a recommendation rather than expecting every game to recreate Borderlands.
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|---|---|---|
| Perspective and combat | First-person and third-person games can feel very different, and some lean more heavily on action-RPG combat than on precise shooting. | Look at the camera perspective and whether combat centers on guns, abilities, melee, or a combination. |
| Play structure | A solo campaign, drop-in co-op sessions, and a persistent online experience place different demands on your time and connection. | Confirm whether solo play is supported, how co-op works, and whether an internet connection or active servers are required. |
| Loot and builds | In some games gear mainly improves numbers; in others, weapons and equipment can change a build or moment-to-moment play. | Check how much customization exists and whether upgrades meaningfully affect combat. |
| Story and tone | A comedic setting and a serious narrative offer different reasons to keep playing between loot drops. | Consider the setting, story emphasis, and tone you enjoy. |
| Access today | Older games may have different editions, platform support, offline functionality, or online dependencies than a current release. | Verify the exact edition, current store listing, supported platform, and server status before purchasing or recommending it. |
These are practical comparison points, not a numerical ranking. PlayStation’s looter-shooter guide likewise illustrates that the category spans a range of games and modes.
Rank #3
- IDEAL COLLECTIBLE SIZE - At approximately 3.75 inches (9.5 cm) tall, this vinyl figurine complements other collectable merchandise and fits perfectly in your display case or on your desk.
- PREMIUM VINYL MATERIAL - Made from durable vinyl, this collectible is built to last and withstand daily wear, ensuring long-lasting enjoyment for fans and collectors alike.
- GIFT IDEA FOR BORDERLANDS 4 FANS - Ideal for holidays, birthdays, or special occasions and as a present this figurine is a must-have addition to any Borderlands 4 merchandise collection
- EXPAND YOUR COLLECTION - Add this unique Claptrap vinyl display piece to your growing assortment of Funko Pop! figures, and seek out other rare and exclusive collectible items for a complete set
- LEADING POP CULTURE BRAND - Trust in the expertise of Funko, the premier creator of pop culture merchandise that includes vinyl figures, action toys, plush, apparel, board games, and more.
What to verify before revisiting an older title
- Check the platform’s current store page for the exact edition and supported hardware.
- Look for an authoritative, current statement about online services if multiplayer or account-based features matter.
- Confirm offline and solo options separately; a store listing alone may not explain server dependence.
- Do not infer present-day access or service status from a game’s release date or historical reputation.
That caution is especially important for historical recommendations: the games’ design relevance and their present-day accessibility are separate questions.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Bazillions of guns: rocket-launching shotguns, enemy-torching revolvers, smgs that Fire Lightning rounds, and tons more.
- Radical art style: traditional rendering combined with hand-drawn textures give Borderlands its iconic style.
- Intense vehicular combat: behind the wheel, engage in frenetic vehicle-to-vehicle combat.
- Co-op frenzy: online or together on the couch, tear through enemies as a Crew of up to 4.
- With improved character models, weapons, textures, and more, Borderlands shines on a 4K display.
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