Folks that attended PAX West last weekend got a treat from 2K and Gearbox Software as the Gearbox Showcase panel debuted 20 minutes of gameplay for New Tales From The Borderlands.
Gearbox Software, specifically Gearbox Software Quebec is handling the development for this title, though Telltale Games veterans that worked on the original Tales From The Borderlands are involved with this spiritual successor.
New Tales From The Borderlands uses the same formula as the original Tales From The Borderlands, now set in a new standalone story starring three “loveable losers”.
You have choices to make with a time-limit during conversations, a little bit of hands-on gameplay (via quick-time events), and a lot of cutscenes.
The trailers don’t do the new graphics justice. Looking at the gameplay, the performance capture and more realistic presentation for the characters look okay while still having a bit of that Borderlands cel-shading look.
The gameplay trailer gives a glimpse of the dynamic between the trio of protagonists. The streetwise loudmouth Octavio takes the lead during the stealth sequences, ironically enough. Fran can whip out a punching arm out of her hover chair should the crew chooses violence.
Anu didn’t get the spotlight in this bit of gameplay we see, but we can see the awkward scientist trying her best in this predicament of a situation they find in the underground of Meridian City.
Of course, it’s not Borderlands without its trademark referential humour. There’s a Metal Gear Solid reference in the stealth section (because of course they would have one).
We also get to see a mini-game, Vaultlander, which is a fighting game using the Borderlands equivalent of an Amiibo where collectors collect collectable Vault Hunter collectibles, and then fight other collectors using them. And there’s also gore and blood.
New Tales From The Borderlands will also feature some familiar faces seen in previous games, like Rhys and the barista turned freedom fighter now known as Lor, as well as many new characters.
New Tales From The Borderlands releases on October 21 for the PS4, PS5, PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.