Tales from the Borderlands Review

Genre: Episodic Graphic Adventure | Developer: Telltale Games | Release Date: 2014

Tales From the Borderlands is a 2014 episodic graphic adventure video game developed and published by Telltale Games. Based on the Borderlands series and released PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, and Xbox One, the game follows Hyperion employee, Rhys, and a con artist, Fiona, who, along with their friends, search for a Vault Key while dealing with psychos, corporate tyrants, and alien creatures.

Campaign:

Tales from the Borderlands delivers a well-paced, unpredictable story that seamlessly blends humor, action, and emotional depth. Told from the alternating perspectives of protagonists Rhys and Fiona, the narrative remains consistently engaging, unraveling in exciting and often hilarious ways. The game does an excellent job of balancing fast-paced sequences with quieter moments that flesh out its well-written characters. 

Rhys, Vaughn, Fiona, and Sasha each bring distinct personalities, motivations, and strengths that contribute to the group's dynamic, making their interactions feel natural and entertaining. Their character development is strong, allowing them to evolve while staying true to their quirks—such as Fiona continuing to tease Rhys about his choices. Handsome Jack’s presence adds another layer of intrigue, showcasing his signature blend of brutal charm and manipulative wit. The dynamic between Jack and Rhys is particularly compelling, as their shared ambitions and similarities create a fascinating, if dangerous, kinship. Overall, the game delivers an outstanding campaign filled with humor, heart, and memorable characters.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Gameplay:

The gameplay follows Telltale’s signature point-and-click mechanics, remaining simple yet engaging. Quick-time events are well-integrated, enhancing the action sequences without feeling excessive or intrusive. The dialogue choices, a key element of Telltale games, provide a satisfying level of player agency, allowing for a personalized experience. 

However, like previous Telltale titles, the game is not without technical issues. Minor glitches, such as unsynced voiceovers and occasional lag, can break immersion, and the long loading screens can be frustrating. While these technical shortcomings are noticeable, they don’t detract too much from the overall experience. The game’s choice-based system also offers solid replay value, though some decisions ultimately lead to the same outcome, slightly diminishing the weight of player choices. Despite these flaws, the game remains an entertaining and immersive experience that keeps players invested in its story and characters.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Production:

Visually, the game does an excellent job of capturing the signature Borderlands aesthetic while maintaining Telltale’s distinct animation style. Character designs are detailed and expressive, bringing depth to their personalities. The environments are beautifully crafted, with striking backdrops that set the mood for each scene. However, occasional graphical glitches and long loading times can be distracting. 

The game’s sound design and music are among its strongest elements. The soundtrack is exceptional, with intro songs and cinematics perfectly setting the tone for each episode. The voice performances are outstanding, with Dave Fennoy, Troy Baker, Laura Bailey, and the rest of the cast delivering phenomenal performances that bring the characters to life. Handsome Jack’s portrayal remains as charismatic and menacing as ever, while the chemistry between Rhys and Fiona adds depth to the story. Despite some technical issues, the game’s production values—particularly its music and voice acting—elevate the experience, making Tales from the Borderlands one of Telltale’s best titles.

Rating: 5 out of 5

The Verdict:

In the end, Tales from the Borderlands is a fantastic narrative-driven game that successfully blends humor, action, and heartfelt moments. Its well-written story, engaging characters, and outstanding voice performances make for a compelling experience. While the gameplay remains simple and suffers from occasional glitches and long loading times, the immersive storytelling and strong production values more than make up for it. With its unique charm and high replay value, Tales from the Borderlands stands out not only as one of Telltale’s best titles but Borderlands. Tales from the Borderlands gets 5 out of 5.