Tales from the Borderlands Review (Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 & PC)

Tales from the Borderlands meshes the slick and oftentimes hilarious punch-drunk camaraderie of a traditional Telltale episodic flick with a surprisingly weighty choice-based system that feels oddly familiar yet as refreshing as ever. Coined with that signature comic book-esque format and a QTE-centric hook, this fateful dip into the boroughs of Pandora and beyond ignites the flame beneath an expedition that, frankly, hits the nail on the head and leaves you with more than a Vault’s worth of charming surprises.

Suffice it to say, Telltale has a long-standing history of bridging the gaps between nonlinear storytelling with compelling climaxes and decisive crossroads. And, in the case of Tales from the Borderlands, all of these strands from the studio’s prolific bloodstream bleed through a thematically constructed narrative that bends and weans to your choices. It doesn’t always feel as if you’re decisions launder the weight of the world, but it does make it so that every smitten of dialogue can alter friendships and determine the outcome of specific scenarios, both good and bad.

Encased within this formulaic framework is a strong roster of frontline protagonists, and a whole host of well-written side stories and one-liners that align with a typical CLAPTRAP monologue. The gameplay, of course, is still as textbook as one might expect of an ordinary Telltale game à la The Wolf Among Us or The Walking Dead, with its core mechanics involving a mixture of brief spouts of walking, analyzing, and conversing with other characters whilst waiting for that all-important ‘they will remember that’ to grace the corner of the screen and alter the butterfly effect. And yet, even with a predictable panel of judgement-based fodder, Tales from the Borderlands still finds ways to grease the hinges of its worn out binder, with surprisingly compelling pre-episodic sequences and a soundtrack that befalls an epic tale of planet-wide adventure.

So, You’ve Come to Hear a Story?

Tales from the Borderlands abandons the cliche-riddled narrative that circulates Vault Hunters and, in an attempt to reinvent the wheel ever so slightly, opts for a different perspective—a story that builds its axis upon the militia-oriented firm Hyperion and the vast struggles of several of its desperate employees, all of whom embark on an epic quest to reclaim their own identities in the aftermath of a co-workers revolt. It’s quirky, charming, and oh-so-hilarious, true to the spirit of a Borderlands spin-off, thankfully.

The game itself transpires over five unique episodes, with each portion of the campaign taking place either in Pandora or the vast spaces surrounding it. In a similar format as Telltale’s previous releases, it tasks you with taking control over multiple protagonists and embarking on an interwoven journey through dozens of choice-based escapades and QTEs, with each prompt having a consequence that ultimately shapes the future of your characters and the world around you. Granted, it isn’t quite as open-ended as a lot of butterfly effect endeavors, and admittedly, a lot of the choices that you do make don’t often result in a different climax. But, it’s the small things that elevate these shortcomings—the brief exchanges between the characters, as well as the stupidly hilarious remarks that stem from your judgments. It has all of that, and honestly, it oozes that beloved Borderlands essence that we’ve come to expect and adore.

To add to what is, in all honesty, a quality episodic tale with swathes of strung-out details and palpable voice work (thanks, Troy Baker and Laura Bailey), Tales from the Borderlands also comes clean with a fitting score that hits all of the right notes as and when needed. It’s a strange one, because where such songs probably wouldn’t work elsewhere, they happen to fit snuggly into the tapestry of this particular globe-trotting time piece. It’s catchy, fitting, and above all, “handsome.” A Handsome Jack reference for you there, if only to help whet the mood.

Handsomely Dressed

While I certainly wouldn’t turn my nose up to a little extra space and some larger biomes to explore here, I do think that the lack of breathing room bodes well with Telltale Games’ signature format for weaving its stories. The gameplay, too, is incredibly similar to what you would have seen dozens of times before, with no additional trimmings to enhance the existing framework or structural features. As the saying goes, though — if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Although Tales from the Borderlands does play it safe with a pre-cut silhouette of its former kin, it does find several ways to bolster the blueprint to keep you on your toes over the course of the multi-episode series. With dozens of pivotal moments and Vault-defining curveballs to tackle (and not to mention handfuls of tense QTEs), the game does make a commendable effort to spruce up each encounter and give you something to look forward to. A sassy comment; a fork in the road; another chance to hear “CATCH A RIIIDE!” from your all-time favorite rent-o-car mechanic.

All in all, you’re looking at a rough six or seven-hour journey across Pandora, give or take. With five ninety-minute intervals and a thread of choice-based climaxes to carve through, you shouldn’t find yourself mopping up the entire trek in a single sitting. Again, there aren’t all that many collectibles to find, through, given its association with Telltale, there are multiple branching paths to unearth and a webbing of dialogue choices to unlock. A true Telltale experience, then.

Verdict

Tales from the Borderlands delivers a thoroughly enjoyable episodic experience that bleeds comically thematic punch-drunk humor and signature Telltale charm with a host of QTE-heavy hooks and a format that keeps you wanting to unearth yet another Vault Key. It’s definitely a Telltale chapter, and it certainly bears a lot of the same hallmark qualities as its ilk. But that isn’t a bad thing. No, if anything, it’s a clear indication that Telltale knows how to tow the line and capitalize on its greatest strengths. To echo, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Let it be said that, while Tales from the Borderlands is one of Telltale’s standout spin-offs, it does also fall beneath an umbrella that not everyone wants to erect. It’s a niche market that, in all honesty, doesn’t always appeal to fans of heavy RPGs with lavish graphics or stellar gameplay mechanics. It’s simple, but I’ll tell you this: Telltale know how to spin a compelling yarn, and this just happens to be one of the most effective poster children that the team have put out since its inception. Don’t believe me? Pandora awaits, Vault Hunter.