The new DLC of Borderlands 3 is out and has captivated players. The new expansion may even be stronger in some places than the main game – at least that’s what our author Max Handwerk believes.
What makes the DLC special? The DLC “Love, Guns & Tentacles” places you on the twisted ice planet Xylourgos, where you must save the wedding of Wainwright Jakobs and Sir Hammerlock. A fundamental situation that offers plenty of ground for crazy gaming hours – and it delivers fully at this point. We present you three points that have absolutely convinced us.
Unique Design & Atmosphere
Chilly, eerily beautiful: The DLC sets itself apart significantly from the main game – at least regarding the setting. The ice world Xylourgos, which is only weakly illuminated by a largely obscured sun, feels completely different from, say, the dry deserts of Pandora.
That’s not only due to the obviously different climate situation but also because of what awaits you beneath the surface. More specifically: beneath the gigantic monster that lies on the planet. There you’ll find, on the one hand, “The Hunting Lodge” – the center of the DLC. It’s operated by the creepy “Mancubus”, who, with his bizarre nature, already hints at what you can expect in the rest of the DLC.
As soon as you arrive in the village Cursehaven, the dark atmosphere fully captivates you. Everything here feels strange: cursed villagers wander around, cryptic inscriptions on the walls hint at a secret myth, and the enemies look like they are directly drawn from a nightmare.
On top of that, there’s the brilliant music of the DLC. The main game is already well-equipped in this regard, but in the DLC, every note adds to the oppressive mood of Cursehaven.
It’s really fun to comb through every corner of the village – because you always have the chance to find something curious that you might have missed otherwise. Additionally, there’s the perfectly fitting story about a wedding threatened by a magical ring and a ghostly enemy – eerie, but exciting.
The overall atmosphere becomes truly amazing because Borderlands, even in this setting, does not lose its typical humor. And this is achieved especially through the second strong point of the DLC.
Characters with Personality
How good the cast is in the DLC: The DLC was already promoted before its release as the grand return of fan-favorite Gaige – and she is indeed the one you encounter early on in the DLC. She provides many nostalgic but, above all, funny moments.
Did you notice, for example, that Claptrap still thinks the former Vault Hunter works for him – just like in Borderlands 2? She also humorously imitates old Vault Hunters and provides entertaining quips. But she’s not the only one.
The bizarre Mancubus is complemented by the minor character Burton Briggs, who has lost his memory and constantly shares odd, profound thoughts unasked.
Additionally, the villagers are noticeably more interesting than random NPCs in the main game. It’s truly worth talking to them – as they all struggle with their curse in their own unique ways, leading them into sometimes ridiculous situations. For instance, you might encounter NPCs who can’t stop dancing in utter despair or suddenly lose their footing.
Also, your own Vault Hunters play a significantly more involved role in the story than is usually the case. They interact with the villagers, are included in the story by Hammerlock and Wainwright – who, by the way, provide the heart of this DLC – and simply feel more “in the thick of things” rather than just present.
They all contribute to ensuring that the bizarre atmosphere never loses its humor – while simultaneously remaining serious enough for the quite thrilling story of the DLC.
Intense Fights, Brilliant Loot
DLC enhances the strengths of the main game: Lastly, the DLC also steps up where the main game shines the most. The gameplay remains fast-paced and entertaining in the DLC – but also offers a few innovations.
There are, on one hand, many new enemies that present you with previously unknown dangers. There are new boss fights that are sometimes not so easy to tackle. And of course, there’s plenty of loot to collect.
The great thing is: Just like in the last DLC, the drop rates feel significantly higher than in the main game. You constantly hear the distinctive “pling” when a legendary weapon lands on the ground. That’s of course something to try out. And it’s simply a lot of fun. Especially when you’ve reached the new max level.
If you don’t like the eerie setting, you might be better off in the main game or the also quite strong casino DLC. But if you have a penchant for bizarre stories, you’ll get your money’s worth in the second DLC for Borderlands 3.
In addition to the DLC, other new content also invites you back to Borderlands 3:
