So Tales from the Borderlands

[Aerozord]

Lets get this out of the way, telltales engine sucks. Had graphical glitches constantly, frequent (though short) loading screens. Some inputs not working, but the frequent chug during scenes hasn't been an issue.

One thing I love about it, is seeing what Vault Hunters are like to your average person. They are less people and more like forces of nature. You cant stop them or get help from them, you just stand aside and hope you can make use of the chaos. Also adds alot more tension. You are alot more worried about the eccentric and outright insane people of Pandora when you are an average person instead of a mercenary that murders warlords for the off chance they have a weapon you might like.

[mauve]

I'm really enjoying Tales from the Borderlands. The characters are great and the humor is top notch. And I agree-- It's great seeing how "normal people" live on Pandora and how Vault Hunters are these terrifying forces of destruction.

Also yes, Telltale Engine sucks. I have to go into window mode and back again in order to get the screen resolution to apply. Otherwise I can only see the lower left corner of the start menu.

[Aerozord]

How have you been managing your money? I am upset I couldn't afford a dapper robot

[mauve]

I really haven't bought much. So far the biggest purchase was the Maliwan skin for my caravan, and that was pretty much the cheapest one. Other than that I've just been hoarding it. I figure there'll be something big to purchase in one of the last chapters that'll cost a ton of money. If not, I'll spend it all on my second playthrough (and there will likely be a second because I made several big choices that I'd like to see the other outcomes for).

Who did you choose to follow at the end of Episode Two? Handsome Jack or Fiona?

[Aerozord]

Who did you choose to follow at the end of Episode Two? Handsome Jack or Fiona?

Fiona. Partly because I've been pushing the group loyalty thing, partly because trusting Handsome Jack is usually a bad idea. Though later I did have him abit more trusting on the ride to the next facility because Fiona didn't really have a plan and in retrospect that might have been a bad call. Honestly I think I'll get most of my alternate storylines from watching lets plays. I'm playing this as a role playing game where I make choices more on whats logical for the character and make better story. For example early on I had loader bot explode because at that point in the story I dont think Rhys would really care about a random loader bot

This game has also been reminding me alot of a good Japanese VN. Where there is more than one way to get a desired outcome but depends on earlier choices. For example I got loader bot to forgive me because earlier in the game I forgave Vaughn

Atleast thats how it seemed to work, could have been just illusion of choice

[mauve]

I made loader bot escape, so I had no idea he'd get angry with you later if you let him explode. I figured you'd just be without a loader bot. And yeah, I picked Fiona too, for the same reason. Jack's too unpredictable. Although I chose to continue to shun him on the caravan in Ep 3, which will probably end in disaster. He basically told Rhys he'd take control with or without his help and that now he had even more reason to make Rhys' life a living hell in the process. I'll have to ask you about your other choices when you finish Episode 3! There's some big ones that I don't want to spoil for you!

[Aerozord]

Got all caught up. The one choice, which is way earlier, that makes me consider a playthrough is who to blame for the crap with the deal going south. I went with Vasquez because I was legitimately trying to figure out whose fault it was and he was the closest I think.

[mauve]

I picked Vasquez too, although I felt bad afterwards because he was an enjoyable character and unless Telltale takes the Hyperion respawn machines into their canon, this means no more Patrick Warburton in my playthrough. Even so, I'm kinda glad August is still around because even though I find him a less interesting character than Vasquez, he provides character development and conflict for Sasha.

I wonder if Sasha would've ended up paralyzed instead of Vaughn if we had picked Handsome Jack's plan instead of Fiona's.

[Aerozord]

Spoilers even for you Mauve about alternate paths. Was watching a playthrough where they did go with Jack, and it actually works out alot better. In the short term. No one is paralyzed, you get a little derp bot, Fiona keeps her hat. Neutral, your eye is changed so now analyzing things pulls up the Jack-pedia. Later he does take over your body for abit and surprise no one likes you when you act like Jack.

As for character development I agree I think its more interesting. I've also been playing up the sasha/rhys romance angle and thats alot more impactful with August still being alive. Otherwise it would feel too much like the "die for our ship" trope. I'm most curious with what would have happened if you picked Felix. Its alot easier to replace one character for another than to work in having two

Hey are you worried the reason Fiona and Rhys are the framing device is because everyone else died?

On another note it finally hit me where this takes place in the timeline. They say they are dragging Athena back to Lilith, this is all right before Athena is captured and tells Lilith about the events of the pre-sequel.

[mauve]

Hey are you worried the reason Fiona and Rhys are the framing device is because everyone else died? Yeah, I figure that's why Telltale is going out of their way to make Vaughn and Sasha so likeable, and I assume their deaths will contribute to the animosity between Fiona and Rhys in the "present day" montages. I do not look forward to this, as Vaughn is the best.

Either that or one of them lives and becomes the masked (wo)man in the present day. If it's not one of them, I'm guessing the masked (wo)man is either Lilith or Moxxy, because both have been hinted at but neither have showed up in the story yet.

On another note it finally hit me where this takes place in the timeline. Yeah, when Athena showed up I was wondering when this took place, until Brick and Mordy dragged her off. Also, did you have trouble making a selection when Athena is about to be shot? I swear my cursor stopped working for that decision, although it might have just been Mac port shenanigans coupled with a very short decision-making time.

[Aerozord]

Yeah, when Athena showed up I was wondering when this took place, until Brick and Mordy dragged her off. Also, did you have trouble making a selection when Athena is about to be shot? I swear my cursor stopped working for that decision, although it might have just been Mac port shenanigans coupled with a very short decision-making time.

Nope, but I have seen it happen to others so it might not be just you.

Now I do hope they live, not just from a desire to see them live but after the Walking Dead I was hoping they wouldn't pull that trope of slowly whittling down all the non-player characters. Makes sense in the Walking Dead, cause thats kind of the point of the story, but as you said it would feel more like they do it for the drama than for the story. Especially with games like this I feel cheated if my choices with a character are rendered pointless because they end up dead no matter what.

[Overcast]

On the matter of the world through the view of non-Vault Hunters they have a lot of the same feel in the Game of Thrones one. It is intense to see the world from the angle of someone who literally has themselves in a situation where it seems like everyone of note is bigger than you are.

I wentHandsome Jack because the other option honestly just didn't seem like an option. There was no real leverage there, and with the attitudes going on, on the other side of the curtain they needed something bigger than just a suicidal threat. Needed a real threat, and Jack was bringing that to the table. But man I am still pretty sure he is just resting on his laurels for an opportunity for independence and to kill me.

I actually stopped playing after that point so now I am navigating ya'lls spoilers trying to figure out which one is past me. And I intend to come back to it when the game is done. Kinda doing the same with the GoT one as I haven't come back to that one since episode one. But boy am I impatient. Also been pretty cheap overall only bought tier two bandit mask, would have gotten the most expensive cart but couldn't afford it. And I never stopped being happy about saving that bot.

[mauve]

Interesting! I like hearing other players' choices and their reasons for making them. I went with Fiona rather than Jack because even though she had no concrete plan, I figured she had more respect for the lives of Vaughn and Sasha than Jack did. I figured Jack would get the job done, but the only lives he'd be interested in preserving would be his own and Rhys'. And I liked Sasha and Vaughn too much to risk that. I figure he's totally gonna cheat or backstab everyone eventually anyway, but I preferred to make that Jack's doing rather than Rhys'.

[Aerozord]

He's like Mephistopheles tempting you with power.

I was considering doing a short let's play of a "silent run", I was curious as to the bare minimum I need to contribute. Silent options, selecting no choices, only breaking that to avoid a fail state.

[mauve]

Woah, what? Chapter 4 is out already? Yesterday, in fact??? I honestly had no idea. Downloading it now.

In related news, Telltale has this to say about the latest chapter: There is ONE last thing we can tell you about this episode... sacrifices will need to be made. Can you make the tough choices required to succeed?

I'm preeeeetty sure that in Telltale-speak, this translates to Vaughn and/or Sasha is going to die, and even though I've been trying to prepare for what I knew was only a matter of time, I'm seriously not looking forward to it. It says a great deal about Telltale's skill at writing characters when you genuinely care about the wellbeing of blatant sacrifice-victim-characters developed solely for a point-n-click tie-in to a first-person shooter franchise that is famous for its guns, violence, and wacky humor. Maybe we'll be lucky and it'll be Gortys or Loaderbot who dies instead, but I'm not holding my breath. :(

[mauve]

UPDATE: Just finished chapter 4. Seemed a little shorter than the others.

And it continues to be a fantastic game but OH MY GOSH THAT WAS NOT WHAT I WAS EXPECTING. D: My above-listed speculations were proven false rather quickly-- I assume this game is accepted as part of the mainstream Borderlands canon, so I wonder how this will affect future titles. I was NOT expecting any of the "actual" Borderlands characters to be affected in any great way by the events of Tales, so... dang. I won't spoil it, but people die and future BL titles won't be the same unless Gearbox pulls some respawn machine/ HIGHLY CONVENIENT CIRCUMSTANCES shenanigans.

In less tragic news, this chapter features the most awesome fake gunfight ever. It's official: The accounting department is the greatest gift to Hyperion's skilled workforce.


OK folks, time to tell me about the choices you made this chapter. I'm interested to see all the possible outcomes here.

[Aerozord]

First, that thing you dont want spoiled looking back it makes sense. Jenny was taking over the business specifically so he could be cut loose without it affecting the future. I do wonder why they didn't hack off his arm though, or better yet why that death trap even existed. But this is borderlands so I let it pass. Incidentally I traded hats, I went through alot to get a new one so I think he deserved it and of course CATCH-A-RIDE

What I really want to know is how this would change if vasquez was still alive, I mean do they still kill him or something because so much of this wouldn't make sense anymore. Maybe thats why it seems shorter, they had to make alot of changes.

Oh did anyone go for butt-stallion? I went for the painting and I just know that guy is going to be involved in borderlands 3

In less tragic news, this chapter features the most awesome fake gunfight ever. It's official: The accounting department is the greatest gift to Hyperion's skilled workforce.


kind of makes me want to work for Hyperion

[mauve]

...You could trade hats?

And yeah, I chose Buttstallion the Diamond Pony over the painting and as one might expect, it is amazing. If you're curious: You shoot what Fiona believes to be a statue... And it starts to bleed. Fiona goes into a horrified shock and the guard drags her to jail, where he tries to convince you that it was just a trick of the light and that it's totally just a statue and it totally didn't bleed like a horse encased in diamond BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE SILLY. What happens with the painting?

Yeah, I'm curious about Vasquez's role too. I imagine you'd visit the Face Pizza Party to try and pass as August, who Vasquez would introduce as his Pandoran associate, but the whole hacking mission and Yvette plot would probably have an entirely different feel with him alive and present.

[Aerozord]

Did you have a hat to trade?

with the painting you tear it down and there is a treasure map behind it. Someone else comes by and sees it. During the "gun fight" you can see him in the background talking to someone with his earpiece.

[mauve]

No, alas, I have zero hats.

[Aerozord]

wow, ok alt choice spoiler if you have been playing nice with Jack, he legit supports you. Names you president of the company and everything. I'll be honest I didn't do it mostly because he is a psycho, not because I disliked the deal.

Oh after I play I tend to check out some lets plays to see how others played scenarios

[mauve]

Really?? Wow. I figured Jack would just screw you over no matter what. Oops! Sorry Rhys, I ruined your life for no reason. XD

All you Borderlands players on my Steam friends list who are not playing this game: I remain legitimately disappointed in you.

[Ryanderman]

First, that thing you dont want spoiled looking back it makes sense. Jenny was taking over the business specifically so he could be cut loose without it affecting the future. I do wonder why they didn't hack off his arm though, or better yet why that death trap even existed. But this is borderlands so I let it pass. Incidentally I traded hats, I went through alot to get a new one so I think he deserved it and of course CATCH-A-RIDE

What I really want to know is how this would change if vasquez was still alive, I mean do they still kill him or something because so much of this wouldn't make sense anymore. Maybe thats why it seems shorter, they had to make alot of changes.

Oh did anyone go for butt-stallion? I went for the painting and I just know that guy is going to be involved in borderlands 3


kind of makes me want to work for Hyperion
Spoiler for apt blame/Vasquez death choices.
When asked who was to blame, I picked Felix. Vallory still shot Vasquez. I think he dies no matter what.

[mauve]

I wonder what happens if you blame August then?

[mauve]

Oh. My. GOSH.

The final chapter of Tales from the Borderlands was FANTASTIC!! I am seriously in love with this game. The characters are great, the storyline was great, the writing is fantastic... Hell, there's even a boss fight. A giant robot Power Rangers boss fight. And I loved how the game stayed true to Borderlands form and had everyone fighting over the color-coded loot drops after the boss fight. That was a nice touch.

I had certain expectations of how the plot would go, working off of the "present" and "flashback" segments, and Tales proved me wrong on almost every one. Well done!!

Also, LoaderBot remains fantastic.

OKAY, IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:

-Who was your B-Team? Mine was August, Springs and Athena. Apparently those were the most common choices, but then again, your other options were Father Figure Who You May Or May Not Have Killed, Random Atlas Scientist You Met For Five Seconds, and Zer0, Who You Can't Get As A Team Member Unless You Made A Single Dialogue Decision Back In Episode One. I really wanted Zer0 though...

-Sasha: Did she end up with Rhys or not? Because if you didn't choose to have her end up with Rhys you're wrong. (I honestly love how the actual decision description is "You shipped Rhys and Sasha.") Even though ENDGAME BULLSHIT makes that all null and void, apparently.... :mad:

-Handsome Jack: Destroy him for good, or let him live in darkness in his own digital hell? I let him live, but I wish I didn't. There's no good reason to keep him around.

My only nitpicks are as follows:
1) Rhys got a bit too clowny during Sasha's near-death scene which kind of killed the atmosphere and was a bit out of place for him. I mean, he's a funny character and he often serves as comic relief, but not necessarily in that way. It seemed out of character, and honestly the line was just cringeworthy.

2) Magical-Healing-Watch-Ex-Machina. Really? Really??? I'm cool with Sasha living, but that seemed kinda half-assed.

3) The ending scene: I knew they wouldn't actually show us what was in a Vault, but I wasn't expecting that. Since I just spent 10 hours playing as these two people, I kinda want to NOT see them disappear into thin air and then probably never find out why. I shall only be satisfied if their fate is somehow worked into the inevitable Borderlands 4 that both this and the PreSequel are heavily alluding to.

[Aerozord]

sadly I'm about to go to a con, but expect some discussion next week

[Overcast]

And back after rolling hard through like every chapter after you last heard from me.

Firstly I played supportive to Jack all the way till the end when he betrayed me. Its a lot of old sympathy with him from the Pre-Sequel and a lot more general roleplaying as someone who would see him as a hero. He does make you president if you go with it, but then also wants to take control of your body with that exoskeleton that Loaderbot ends up using later.

I feel like doing it that way made the final battle with him a lot more poignant. And I still didn't kill him, I guess I'll always have hope for Jack.

Secondly My B Team was Athena, Springs, and Cassius. I chose rarely with Cass because I honestly just didn't want August around. I'd kinda spent a whole mess of the game shit talking him, and I blamed him for the mission failing so I'll tell you that Vasquez still dies if you blame someone else.

Cass brings in cool hadoken bullshit and iron man hand beams. I also really wanted Zer0 though.

Third yes I made sure the air was clear and shipping went hard in the paint.

Finally I am willing to forgive the watch if we can see it earlier instead of being honorabu and not looking at it the whole game. Then it is just clever/corny, which it still is but seems like way more of a wash in this situation.

Meanwhile it isn't too surprising the way this closed, the Vault of the Destroyer had a death machine that was uncontrollable and was going to kill the universe. The Vault of the Warrior had the Warrior a more subservient being who would fight on your behalf. The Vault of the Traveler was definitely going to teleport them somewhere.

[mauve]

Re: Jack-- I really liked the part after Helios' destruction, when Jack is speaking to you about how he's constantly betrayed by everyone he cares about. That was really nicely done. I'm not, however, sure how Nisha fits into this. He mentions her once when you find her hat in Jack's trophy collection, and in Borderlands 2 she still refers to herself as Jack's girlfriend, so obviously she hasn't left or betrayed him. She dies, but that's not exactly her fault, or Jack's. Maybe he was exaggerating when he said EVERYONE betrayed him, to drum up sympathy.

Speaking of which, I also really liked the scene where Rhys rips out his own prosthetics to free himself from Jack. It was a turning point for his character, both as a symbolic distancing from Jack and Hyperion and as a show of his resolve, bravery and desperation after the hell he had just been through.

Also I'm happy A) Vaughn and Sasha lived, and B) Vaughn becomes this badass bearded leader of the corporate refugees. I want to think that the Children of Helios engage in epic finger-gun fights with their enemies and are the scourge of Pandora.

CHILDREN OF HELIOS FOR BORDERLANDS 4