Fallout vs. Borderlands: Comparing Legendary RPGs

Borderlands series is back in the public consciousness with its adaptation to the big screen. With its character-driven stories and rough vibes, it's similar to another big franchise. The Fallout series, also with a recent adaptation (but to the small screen), is a major point of comparison. Both games are tentpole RPG releases in the industry, but how similar are they? Let's compare some of their major features.

FalloutPhoto byCsaba BakosonUnsplash

Post-Apocalyptic Gunplay Adventures

Both Fallout and Borderlands draw upon similar aesthetic inspiration for their base concept. Many will instantly note Mad Max as an obvious source for both games to draw from. The concept of a world dominated by less-than-sane individuals with guns and spikes is quite popular. Both franchises make use of this as a thematic backdrop for a world where violence is unfortunately the norm. This is an excellent shortcut in terms of gameplay justification. Characters in these franchises need to be armed and ready to take action. This creates a dramatic and action-heavy environment that pushes the games to their max.

Shooters with Soul

Shooters remain the most consistently popular genre in the gaming sphere. Since the 1990s, people have loved the first-person point of view for an immersive action experience. However, Fallout and Borderlands both inject enough story to elevate these games into the RPG space. The Fallout franchise lives and dies on the narrative of its setting. A retro-futuristic setting with monsters, robots, and nuclear energy reigning supreme. Meanwhile, Borderlands uses characters with big personalities to keep the story moving. Additionally, both games allow for extensive character-build customization. This means gameplay often takes on a form that suits the player, driving immersion.

RPG or Guns?

The two franchises differ, however, when it comes to their primary emphasis. Are these games about deep stories, or deep gunplay? Bethesda's Fallout is an RPG franchise with elements of a shooter, and Borderlands is the inverse. While neither sacrifices story or gunplay, if you want one mechanic over the other you have a clear choice. Borderlands is filled with endless gun combinations and tons of fast-paced action. Fallout asks you to take your time and engage with the story and setting. It will never have the item variety of Borderlands, but you have fuller potential for roleplay.

Tw0 Great Choices

No matter what choice you make, both franchises provide the pinnacle of their genre. Borderlands can boast the biggest variety of loot in any shooter. You can farm for hours and hours and still find unique weapon combinations. Fallout meanwhile has one of the best settings in gaming that constantly drives player stories. Using the first-person perspective, both games feel like your adventure. While neither franchise is perfect, both feel unique within the gaming world. Each is a franchise that excels at doing exactly the thing that only it does. There are no other franchises quite like them. With differences and similarities, they each show how special gaming can be.

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This article was written by Alex Dunn.