Borderlands 2 was enhanced with downloadable content from Gearbox Software. With items offered both separately and as part of the Season Pass, dedicated fans had a lot to enjoy, whether they were secondary missions featuring quirky new characters or all-new Vault Hunters that added some unpredictability to each mission.
The final piece of DLC for Borderlands 2, Tiny Tina’s Assault On Dragon’s Keep, will tie everything together when it releases on June 25th for PC/Steam, Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. Before we get to that – which is rumored to be the biggest campaign-based pack to date – let’s look at everything released so far, from the introduction of the Mechromancer to the Ultimate Vault Hunter pack.
The Mechromancer
Those who pre-ordered the sequel before its release were able to enroll in a Premiere Club that came with a number of downloadable bonuses, including special golden guns and a relic. The biggest extra was without question the introduction of a fifth playable Vault Hunter, a half-cyborg by the name of Gaige. Capable of taking control of a large robot called the D-TP — or Deathtrap, she could raise major havoc on the battlefield. In addition, her skill tree was quite easy to manage, ranging from the Close Enough skill that made bullets ricochet to Sharing Is Caring, which provides a secondary shield for Deathtrap. Those who didn’t purchase their way into the Premiere Club could download her for $9.99, or 800 Microsoft points.
Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate’s Booty
This first DLC level pack came out in October and saw the Vault Hunters searching for Captain Blade’s Lost Treasure of the Sands in the middle of a vast desert. They weren’t the only ones, as a vicious sand pirate by the name of Captain Scarlett was also on the hunt for the booty, along with a giant Leviathan that takes a whole lot of damage to bring down. In addition to several hours of gameplay, new gear was also introduced, including the Sandskiff vehicle and the Seraph weapons. This pack is available for $9.99, or free with the Season Pass.
Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage
One month following Captain Scarlett’s release, Gearbox struck again with Mr. Torgue, introducing players to a character that acts a bit like former WWE wrestler Randy “Macho Man” Savage. In it, the team learns about a new Vault planted right in the middle of the “Badass Crater of Badassitude”. The catch, however, is that it will only open “once the champion of Pandora feeds it the blood of the ultimate coward.” Eager to find this champion, Mr. Torgue holds a tournament to see who is the ultimate bad-ass. Mad Moxxi and Tiny Tina, favorites of the series, make appearances in this pack, along with a new weapons vending machine and the ability to acquire and spend Torgue Tokens for upgrades. This pack is also $9.99 or free with the Season Pass.
Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt
The first Borderlands 2 pack of 2013 focused on this weary soldier’s latest battle, where he and the player hunt down rare animals across Pandora. Along the way, he has brushes with an evil witch doctor named Nakayama, who wants to try and revive Handsome Jack, who was slain by the end of the original game. This pack probably offered the least content out of all Borderlands 2 DLC, but for fans of Hammerlock or those seeking a challenge hunting animals, it’s worth the $9.99 to download it. It’s also part of the Season Pass.
The Psycho
The sixth character to join the Vault Hunters was the very unpredictable Psycho, who was introduced to the game in March. However, this marks the first time that DLC was released that wasn’t included as part of the Season Pass. As a result, players have to cough up $9.99 to use him. His abilities are certainly worth it, as he is able to do a huge amount of damage with his melee strikes, as well as let loose with a “Buzz Axe Rampage” once he’s supercharged.
Ultimate Vault Hunter
Finally, as a perk introduced to benefit long-time players of the hit sequel, Gearbox Software offered this pack free-of-charge. With it, players are able to raise their level cap from 50 to 61, and also unlock a new Ultimate vault Hunter Mode. This opens up a third play through for the game, upping the stakes in terms of enemy strength and abilities. Only if you reach a certain level – and played through it twice – will you be able to access it. Veterans know it’s certainly worth the effort.
As you can see, a good variety of content came out over the past few months, and Tiny Tina’s Assault On Dragon’s Keep should fit right in. Who knows – we might even see more additions as 2013 goes on.
Borderlands 2 is available now for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
