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All of that Borderlands 3 talk aside, there is some exciting news today for existing owners of the first few Borderlands games today. Those that own the first Borderlands, or Borderlands 2, or Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel now have some HD upgrades along with some new content in a couple of cases.
Today, Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition was released on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. For the console players, you'll have to buy this one fresh. Those that own the game on PC will get a free upgrade to the Enhanced release via Steam. There does seem to be a small issue at present that prevents those that received a copy from a four pack from getting this upgrade. I'm sure that will be fixed. Maybe. I'm really just guessing on this one.
Beyond the visual bump, Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition ("GOTY Enhanced" on Steam) adds in six new weapons, new cosmetics for playable characters, and all of the game's DLC. That's right, even if you never owned any of the DLC before, you do now at no extra charge.
The Borderlands 2 improvements are largely visual. However, The Handsome Collection is still on sale through Steam for 94% off as of the time of this posting. You can literally get every single piece of Borderlands 2 content for under $15 (USD). Even if you don't like The Pre-Sequel (like I didn't), paying sub-$15 for all of the Borderlands 2 content is a really, really good deal. Plus, it'll be even less if you own anything in that bundle already.
- Visually Remastered: Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, players can enjoy 4K Ultra HD and HDR, though the improved lighting, textures, and character models shine on every platform. Applies to the base game, as well as all add-on content.
- Quality of Life Improvements: Significant updates to the game’s supporting systems allow for a smoother overall experience. For example:
- A Borderlands 2-style mini-map, which you can toggle on and off, has been added to complement the original compass
- Substantial improvements to the inventory system—such as allowing you to “lock†weapons or mark them as “junkâ€â€”simplify item management
- Items like ammo, money, and health now auto-pick up from the ground
- Rewards Ready: With the addition of the SHiFT player rewards program, you can now use Golden Keys to unlock special in-game items and rewards. Returning SHiFT users who’ve played Borderlands 2 or The Pre-Sequel on PS4, Xbox One, or PC will receive 75 free Golden Keys, as well as two randomly selected all-new weapons, for their first newly-created Vault Hunter.
- Added Firepower: A new set of six named, custom-skinned Legendary weapons make the base game’s arsenal even deeper. Beat bosses or gather Golden Keys for a chance to collect ‘em all.
- Badder Boss Battle: In direct response to fan feedback, the campaign’s final boss encounter has been adjusted to be more engaging, challenging, and rewarding.
- Cosmetic Customization: For the first time, you will be able to customize your Vault Hunter beyond simply selecting a color scheme. Each of the four available characters has five brand new cosmetic heads unlocked and equippable right from the start of the game.
- Now Available on Modern Consoles: Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition makes the original Borderlands readily available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 for the first time, in addition to providing a newly enhanced and visually remastered version for PC players.
- Free to Existing Owners on PC: If you already own the original Borderlands on Steam, you’ll be able to upgrade to Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition absolutely free.
- Bazillions of Guns: Rocket-launching shotguns, enemy-torching revolvers, SMGs that fire lightning rounds, and tons more procedurally generated firearms.
- RPG Progression: Slay your foes, gain experience points, and build out extensive skill trees unique to each of the four Vault Hunters.
- Co-op Frenzy: Tear through the opposition as a crew of up to four, with four-player split-screen available on consoles and online co-op available across all platforms.
- Rich Universe: Uncover the rewarding mysteries, memorable inhabitants, and deep lore of Pandora—and the Borderlands narrative universe.
- Intense Vehicular Combat: Get behind the wheel and engage in frenetic vehicle-to-vehicle combat.
- Radical Art Style: Traditional rendering techniques combined with hand-drawn textures give Borderlands its iconic style.
- Borderlands [Base Game]: The original shooter-looter in all its visually remastered glory.
- The Zombie Island of Doctor Ned [DLC]: Enter the corporate-owned small town known as Jakobs Cove and put an end to the rumors of the walking “undead.†New areas, new missions, new enemies, oh my!
- Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot [DLC]: Celebrate the grand opening of Marcus Bank by taking on hundreds of foes in the only competitive arena around where you come back famous... or not at all.
- The Secret Armory of General Knoxx [DLC]: Want more of the Borderlands story and more loot than you could possibly figure out what to do with? Add new guns, missions, vehicles and more!
- Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution [DLC]: This destructive adventure invites you to battle a vicious new threat: a massive uprising of your former friends, the Claptraps.
You can download the Borderlands 2 Ultra HD Texture Pack via Steam.
And here is the link for the Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel Ultra HD Texture Pack on Steam.
The Ultra HD Texture Pack is a free visual upgrade available to both new and existing product owners. On PlayStation 4 Pro, the texture pack will appear as downloadable content on the digital product page for Borderlands: The Handsome Collection. On PC and Xbox One X, players will have the option to download the texture pack for Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel and Borderlands 2 separately.
On consoles, the Ultra HD Texture Pack includes:
On PC, the Ultra HD Texture Pack includes:
On consoles, the Ultra HD Texture Pack includes:
- 4K Ultra HD resolution and HDR for Xbox One X and PlayStation 4 Pro players
- Remastered 4K environment textures, including geometry and skyboxes
- Remastered 4K characters and vehicles
- Updated weapon meshes and textures
- Re-encoded 4K Cinematics
- Improved Anti-Aliasing, including improved edge line implementation o This includes improved ink line definition and framing/outline around character models
- Higher Resolution Dynamic Shadows o Improved quality and smoothness of shadows, especially during movement
On PC, the Ultra HD Texture Pack includes:
- Remastered 4K environment textures, including geometry and skyboxes
- Remastered 4K characters and vehicles
- Remastered 4K weapon meshes and textures
- Improved Anti-Aliasing, including improved edge line implementation o This includes improved ink line definition and framing/outline around character models
- Higher Resolution Dynamic Shadows o Improved quality and smoothness of shadows, especially during movement
- Improved Screen Space Ambient Occlusion o An improved SSAO method for more realistic ambient lighting
