Review of video game Borderlands 3 by Chandler Wang

 Borderlands 3 is the latest installment in the popular Borderlands series, and delivers quite well. The game boasts the series' typical chaotic gameplay, unique characters, massive loot pool, and scrappy adventure through a world of killer robots, crazed bandits, and monstrous beasts. Although the plot in this game is a bit lacking compared to Borderlands 2, in many other ways it improves on the Borderlands formula. Borderlands 3 has guns, and it has lots of them. As you journey through neon cities and dens of massive spider-creatures, weaponry will practically be raining out of the sky. You'll find them in chests and containers, on the bodies of humans, robots, and monsters, and perhaps even in a port-a-john or two. It would be no fun if your weaponry was limited only to guns that shoot bullets, of course - from lightning snipers to cluster rocket launchers to chemical pistols that you can throw as grenades, Borderlands always has a ton of variety in the arsenals you can build. It's very rare that you'll find two guns that are exactly the same, as even the boring normal bullet guns have various modifiers, such as bayonets or different sights. Borderlands 3 also has four different characters to choose from, each with unique abilities and perks that can be upgraded as you level up through the story. You can play as a mech pilot, tearing through enemies with your giant robot's machine guns and flamethrowers; a beast tamer, sending flying raptors and vicious demon-dogs into the fray; a stealthy spy, sending a fake projection of yourself to befuddle your foes; or a Siren with the magical power to make giant energy fists out of thin air and pound all sorts of creatures into mincemeat. Along with these fun and varied aspects, Borderlands 3 also has its own distinct Borderlands charm, created by the notable insanity of the characters, vivid art style, and constant, unending, chaos. The plot, as I mentioned, is a bit lacking in this one, especially when comparing it to Borderlands 2. It often feels forced, and none of the characters seem to have as much charm or personality as the ones in the second game. However, Borderlands 3 clearly shows the time that has passed between the two games - the graphics are notably more impressive, the gunplay feels incredible, and there are tons of tweaks and changes that make the game look and feel much more modern. Overall, Borderlands 3 was a really fun game and very strong in nearly every regard. If the plot had been as strong as the rest of the game, the game would be a thoroughly incredible third installment. Even as it is, it's a great game and when I first purchased it, I completely lost track of time for weeks playing nonstop. 9/10.