Game Reviews

Tales from the Borderlands: A Telltale Adventure

14 Feb 2024 21 min read

Updated On: February 14, 2024 by What is Esports? Team

Are you in search of a game that brilliantly melds side-splitting humour with edge-of-your-seat excitement? You’re certainly not the only one. Many of us have scoured far and wide for that elusive concoction of chuckles and thrills.

Tales from the Borderlands: A Telltale Adventure, serves up exactly that – a narrative journey celebrated by critics, set amidst the madcap universe of Gearbox Software’s Borderlands.

Peruse our blog as we escort you through the wonderfully chaotic world of Pandora, guiding you through each raucous finger-gun skirmish along the way. Eager for an unforgettable escapade? Do keep reading!

Key Takeaways

Tales from the Borderlands is a choice – based narrative adventure game, developed by Telltale Games in collaboration with Gearbox Software and 2K Games.
The story unfolds through five episodic installments, where players control protagonists Rhys and Fiona on Pandora, making decisions that affect the storyline.
Set between Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 3, the game immerses players in an interactive comedy graphic adventure within a sci-fi setting known for its lawlessness and corporate dominance.
Recognised for its compelling storytelling, the game received positive reviews and multiple award nominations including Best Narrative from The Game Awards 2015.
Gameplay involves crossing paths with characters from the existing Borderlands series as well as new acquaintances, forging relationships that influence how events play out.

What is Tales from the Borderlands and its Setting

Tales from the Borderlands is an episodic interactive comedy graphic adventure sci-fi video game set on the unforgiving world of Pandora. It takes place between Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 3, where players are immersed in a perpetually wartorn metropolis controlled by corporate overlords.

Episodic interactive comedy graphic adventure sci-fi video game

Dive into Tales from the Borderlands, an episodic game where every episode packs a punch of humour, sci-fi elements and unforgettable moments. You’ll be hooked as you navigate through choice-based narratives that shape your journey across the wartorn landscape of Pandora.

The interactive comedy aspect shines bright, ensuring laughs amidst chaotic encounters with corporate overlords and vault hunting craziness.

We step into this graphic adventure as Rhys and Fiona, two protagonists whose stories intertwine in surprising ways. Decisions we make as players have real consequences that keep us on our toes throughout all five episodes.

Fans of the Borderlands series will find themselves right at home with the art style and tone while newcomers can jump directly into this gaming experience without missing a beat.

Set on the unforgiving world of Pandora

Set on the unforgiving world of Pandora, Tales from the Borderlands immerses players in a dangerous and unpredictable setting filled with treacherous bandits, ruthless corporate goons, and deadly creatures.

The game’s scifi universe presents an inhospitable environment where survival requires keen instincts and fast thinking, making every decision crucial to the characters’ fates. Exploring this dramatic landscape through the eyes of Rhys and Fiona allows for a vivid depiction of Pandora’s unique blend of lawlessness and wonder.

The captivating backdrop of Pandora serves as an evocative stage for players to navigate through thrilling confrontations, forge alliances, overcome moral dilemmas, and embark on epic quests that shape their destinies.

Whether engaging in high-stakes heists or navigating intricate social dynamics within this volatile world, the setting plays a central role in creating an immersive gaming experience that resonates long after each adventure concludes.

Takes place between Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 3

Occurring between the events of Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 3, Tales from the Borderlands is a point-and-click graphic adventure comedy video game, featuring an episodic interactive storyline.

This setting provides players with an opportunity to explore Pandora in greater depth, delving into its richly detailed world and engaging with familiar characters while carving out their own unique narrative paths through the game.

The period between these two main games offers a fresh perspective on the world of Pandora, allowing for new storylines and character developments within this beloved game universe.

Gameplay and Characters

Play as two protagonists, Hyperion lackey Rhys and con artist Fiona, in this choice-based narrative adventure. Every decision you make will drive the story forward, while crossing paths with familiar faces and forming new relationships on the unforgiving world of Pandora.

Play as two protagonists, Hyperion lackey Rhys and con artist Fiona

In Tales from the Borderlands, players take on the roles of Rhys and Fiona. Rhys is an employee of the powerful Hyperion corporation, while Fiona is a resourceful con artist. Throughout the game, players make key decisions that impact how the story unfolds for each character.

These choices determine their relationships with other characters and ultimately shape the course of their adventure on Pandora.

As players navigate through this choice-based narrative adventure, they experience the game’s sc-fi setting and engage in finger-gun fights along with humorous dialogues between Rhys and Fiona.

Every choice you make drives the story forward

In Tales from the Borderlands, every decision you make directly impacts the direction of the narrative. As players control Rhys and Fiona, they are presented with pivotal choices that shape the outcome of the story.

These decisions influence character relationships, plot twists, and even determine who lives or dies. The game’s choice-based narrative structure offers a unique and immersive gameplay experience, where each action has significant consequences in driving the storyline forward.

Furthermore, as players navigate through Pandora’s unforgiving world, they must carefully consider their choices to ensure they align with their desired outcomes. The interactive nature of this sci-fi video game allows for a personalised storytelling experience where every decision holds weight in shaping the tale unfolding before them.

Cross paths with familiar faces and form new relationships

Interact with well-known characters from the Borderlands universe and build new connections as you navigate through Pandora. Engage in meaningful conversations and make impactful decisions that shape your relationships with both old acquaintances and fresh faces.

Experience the thrill of forming alliances or rivalries as you progress through the game, adding layers of complexity to your gameplay experience.

As our journey continues, let’s delve into the captivating gameplay mechanics and intriguing character development within Tales from the Borderlands.

Development and Episodes

Tales from the Borderlands was developed by Telltale Games under license from Gearbox Software and 2K, consisting of five episodes that retain the humor and drama of the Borderlands series.

Want to learn more about the development and episodes? Keep reading!

Developed by Telltale Games under license from Gearbox Software and 2K

Telltale Games developed Tales from the Borderlands under license from Gearbox Software and 2K. The game is set in the same universe as the popular Borderlands series, and features a choice-based narrative adventure where every decision impacts how the story unfolds.

This collaboration brought together Telltale’s storytelling expertise with the beloved characters and humor of the Borderlands franchise, resulting in an engaging and immersive gaming experience.

Consists of five episodes

Episode 1: Zer0 Sum

Introduces the protagonists, Rhys and Fiona
Sets the stage for their adventure on Pandora
Establishes key relationships and conflicts

Episode 2: Atlas Mugged

Continues the journey as Rhys and Fiona navigate through dangerous territory
Unravels new plot twists and character developments
Raises the stakes for our protagonists

Episode 3: Catch a Ride

Explores new locations on Pandora with exciting set pieces and scenarios
Presents challenging decisions that impact the narrative trajectory
Deepens connections with both familiar faces and newly introduced characters

Episode 4: Escape Plan Bravo

Escalates tension as Rhys and Fiona edge closer to their goals
Showcases intense action sequences and pivotal moments in their journey

Episode 5: The Vault of the Traveler

Culminates in an epic conclusion, bringing together all storylines
Wraps up narratives for key characters while leaving room for player – driven outcomes
Delivers an emotional climax concluding an unforgettable adventure

Retains the humor and drama of the Borderlands series

Tales from the Borderlands stays true to the signature humor and drama of the Borderlands series, delivering a compelling narrative with plenty of comedic moments and intense action.

The witty dialogue and memorable characters add depth to the story, while maintaining the franchise’s distinctive blend of comedy and drama. Players can expect to encounter colorful personalities, engage in hilarious banter, and experience adrenaline-pumping sequences that capture the essence of the beloved Borderlands universe.

The game effectively balances light-hearted humor with high-stakes drama, ensuring an engaging experience for fans familiar with the series as well as newcomers. From laugh-out-loud moments to heart-wrenching decisions, Tales from the Borderlands strikes a perfect harmony between humour and emotional depth.

Reception and Awards

Tales from the Borderlands received positive reception from critics and players alike, with its choice-driven narrative and humour praised. The game was also nominated for various awards, solidifying its impact in the gaming community.

Positive reception from critics and players

Tales from the Borderlands received acclaim from both critics and players for its engaging storytelling, well-crafted characters, and unique blend of humour and drama. The game’s choice-based narrative drew praise for allowing players to shape the direction of the story through their decisions, creating a personalised gaming experience.

With its wit, charm, and memorable main characters in Fiona and Rhys, Tales from the Borderlands appealed to a wide audience of gamers looking for an immersive and entertaining adventure.

Critics lauded the game for successfully capturing the essence of the Borderlands series while offering a fresh perspective on the beloved franchise. Players appreciated the seamless integration of storytelling with gameplay mechanics, making each decision feel impactful as they navigated through the unforgiving world of Pandora.

Nominated for various awards

Tales from the Borderlands received recognition by being nominated for various awards, including:

The Game Awards 2015 – Best Narrative and Best Performance nominations for Laura Bailey as Fiona.
SXSW Gaming Awards 2016 – Nominated for Excellence in Convergence and Most Memorable Character (Vaughn).
BAFTA Games Awards – Nominated for Story in 2016.
D.I.C.E. Awards – Nominated in the Outstanding Achievement in Story category.
National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers (NAVGTR) Awards – Nominations for writing, character design, and performance.

Sequel and Conclusion

Explore Pandora in this immersive game that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Make choices that impact the narrative while enjoying the humorous yet dramatic storytelling. Get ready to embark on a thrilling journey as Rhys and Fiona, encountering familiar faces and forming new relationships along the way.

Immerse yourself in this choice-based adventure that has garnered positive reception from both critics and players alike.

FAQs

1. What is ‘Tales from the Borderlands: A Telltale Adventure’?

‘Tales from the Borderlands: A Telltale Adventure’ is a sci-fi video game that lets players make choices in a narrative adventure, changing the story based on their decisions.

2. Who published ‘Tales from the Borderlands: A Telltale Adventure’?

The game was brought to you by a publisher known for creating interactive storytelling experiences akin to choose-your-own-adventures.

3. Can players control how the story unfolds in ‘Tales from the Borderlands’?

Yes, through its choice-based narrative structure, players decide how they want to navigate through adventures and mold their own tale within the game.