Developer: Gearbox Software
Distributor: 2K Games
Genre: DLC
Unique Elements: Single Player, 4 Player Cooperative Multiplayer Local & Network
Series: Borderlands
Systems: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Release Date: November 20, 2012
Estimated Play Length: 4-8 hours
MSRP: $9.99
Discount Link: CLICK HERE
Website: CLICK HERE
Trailer/Video: CLICK HERE
Purchase Site: CLICK HERE
Reviewed by: Chris Young
Final Score: 4 Moons (out of 5)
LOOT! AND PECS! AND EXPLOSIONS! This second add-on campaign for Borderlands 2 features the over the top, American macho-man and weapons manufacturer owner, Mr. Torgue. Torgue’s insanity binds this thrilling second add-on campaign for Borderlands 2 together in a bite size chunk of everything that is Borderlands.
I’m Torgue, and I’m here to ask you one question, and one question only: EXPLOSIONS?
PRESENTATION
Once you’re ready, teleport over to the Badass Crater of Badassitude (yes, seriously). Here you’ll meet Mr. Torgue himself and discover that a new vault has been discovered beneath Pandora and what better way to decide which champion gets to open it than a badass tournament, arena-style. The main quest to open the new vault takes center stage, with a small number of side objectives for the completionists out there. As you fight your way across the landscape, you’ll encounter the fan favorite, Mad Moxxi and the controversial Tiny Tina to help you achieve victory.
Upon entering the Badass Crater of Badassitude, the vault hunter will be informed that a tournament has begun and, to open the vault, they must rise to the rank of number one Badass. Starting from rank 50 (behind Torgue’s own grandmother, but ahead of the guy she gunned to death), the vault hunter must tackle the perils of Torgue’s arena as well as hunt down top ranked Badasses in bars and junkyards across the Badass Crater of Badassitude.
GAMEPLAY
Not much has changed in terms of game play. The Borderlands loot and shoot formula comes fast and doesn’t slow down for hours as you fight your way through hordes of bandits. Torgue engineers will hurl explosive barrels at you and enforcers will maul you with brutal flying melee attacks. Bikers are introduced as well, harassing you from their motorbikes and leaping off to fight on foot when their bikes are vaporized.
Disappointingly, the bikes do not appear in Scooter’s catch a ride system. I really hoped for a mission to steal a bike or scavenge some parts for my own chance to cruise across Pandora on my own murderous motorcycle. Hopefully that will be added to either another expansion, or as a fully realized component in Borderlands 3!
The new enemy vehicle, a kickass motorcycle.
As you fight your way up the leader boards, be on the lookout for Torgue Tokens, a new form of currency. Badass enemies will drop them and they function as quest rewards. Save up your tokens to buy new epic and legendary guns and grenades–which all explode, of course. The addition of Torgue Tokens makes grabbing an awesome weapon much easier than in the past, when you would have to hope for a drop from a boss you might have to kill 10 times. In just an hour you can farm enough tokens to buy any weapon your heart desires.
GOTHIC FIT
Mr. Torgue delivers all the post-apocalyptic mayhem and commentary our gothic gamers have come to expect from the franchise, with a healthy dose of indulgent campiness that many of our readers appreciate. It also delivers an over the top, hilarious critique of the American macho-man in the form of Torgue himself. He starts off full of testosterone and pecs, but he begins to drop some actual wisdom as the story progresses.
CONCLUSION
Everything you’ve come to love about Borderlands in abundant in Mr. Torgue’s DLC. Even if you’re just getting into the game, this expansion will give you a taste of everything you can expect as you play further into the main story. If newcomers find the humor of Torgue to be a bit gratingly over-the-top, though, don’t worry: This is Borderlands 2 indulgence distilled to its maximum concentration . For me, though, Mr. Torgue is Borderlands at its best!
Also, you get to fight a giant mechanical T-Rex, the Badassasaurus. So go buy it already!
Badassasaurus
Presentation: 4.0 Moons (out of Five)
Gameplay: 4.5 Moons (out of Five)
Gothic Fit: 4.0 Moons (out of Five)
Final Score (Not an average): 4.0 Moons (out of Five)
