Battleborn: Game Review

Reviewed by Michael on 10th May 2016

Our rating: 8.5/10.0

Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows 
Genre(s): Online Multiplayer Action, First-Person Shooter, MOBA

Battleborn is an online multiplayer game that is full of fast paced, chaotic action from the get go. The player is introduced to the games core mechanics and in-game upgrade system through a prologue mission that also bares light on Battleborn's plot. The game features two gameplay genres across both online and local play, with 25 playable characters in each. 

Battleborn's campaign follows a story of 5 opposing galactic factions uniting to save the last hospitable planet against a galaxy-conquering force run by a evil villain named Rendain. This story falls short and becomes background noise due to the playful manner in which it is demonstrated through conversation between the games playable and non-playable characters and their often hit or miss jokes on what would seem like a serious concept. However this is overlooked as the player becomes enthralled in a campaign that contains waves of enemies of increasing difficulty, with a major boss battle at the end of each. Teamwork becomes key amongst player's as each character offers unique abilities to help turn the fight in their favour, which I found added so much depth and the ability to play each mission over and over from a different perspective.

Battleborn multiplayer features 3 different PvP (player-vs-player) modes. Capture is similar to other online "domination" modes where players fight for control of 3 different points on the map. It is fast-paced style gaming where chaos takes over strategy. Incursion is a more strategic-style of play where teams begin from either side of an almost mirrored map and aim to take out each other teams mech and sentry bots while fighting of waves of minions and each other. The final mode is Meltdown, which moulds both the first two modes into one, and has each team trying to escort their waves of minions into a goal on enemy territory. Each mode offers different style of play and allows for both short and long games, which appeals to both advanced and beginner players alike.

The most exciting aspect of Battleborn is it's 25 unique characters and the in-game upgrade system of each. The game attempts to merge genre's by including 25 playable characters that vary from high-damage shooter characters like Oscar Mike, to tanky characters like Montana, and also high-powered and intense melee characters like Rath. Each bring a completely unique style of play to each battle and an element of choice not seen before in any online first-person battle arena game I've played. The in-game upgrade system features 10 levels, where at each the player has the choice to upgrade between two different skills, for example a player may choose to add a scope to Oscar Mike's assault rifle for a ranged advantage, or add red-dot sight for a more spray-and-pray approach from close range. The player must upgrade while on the move as well which adds a pressured element to the fight and can sometime make you feel stressed, while feeling achievement once making a kill due to your desired choice.

Overall I found Battleborn really struck a chord with what I was looking for in an online multplayer game. It provides chaotic team-based action from the get go, and appeals to both beginner and advanced players through its in-game on the run upgrade system. Though the story line doesn't quite capture the player, it's campaign missions provide enough difficulty and enjoyment for this small hump to be overlooked. I rate it a solid 8.5/10.

You can find out more about the game here