Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is a co-op looter shooter set on Pandora's moon Elpis. The story sits between the first Borderlands and Borderlands 2. The focus is on Jack's rise, who later becomes Handsome Jack, the series' antagonist.

Shooting, collecting new loot and developing your character remain the foundation. The moon setting extends this system with low gravity, long jumps, cryo and laser weapons. The unusual perspective lets you experience the backstory of familiar enemies.

On Steam, the release date is listed as Oct 14, 2014. The game first came out on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The PS4 and Xbox One versions were released in 2015 as Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, together with Borderlands 2.

Since May 29, 2020, the game has also been available on Nintendo Switch, as part of the Borderlands Legendary Collection. These collection release dates should be distinguished from the original release.

Native versions exist for PC (Windows, macOS, Linux), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. The PS4 and Xbox One versions come from the Handsome Collection; on Switch the game is part of the Legendary Collection.

On PS5, the PS4 version is playable via backward compatibility, which should not be confused with a standalone PS5 version. 2K states that the Switch collection offers local split-screen for two people and online co-op for up to four people.

Unlike on Pandora, on Elpis gravity and oxygen supply change the way through the combat arenas. Long jumps and attacks from above can be combined with ground attacks. Laser and frost weapons expand the arsenal; moon vehicles open up larger areas.

Typical Borderlands elements remain: randomly generated gear, skill trees, repeatable fights and the hunt for a stronger combination of weapon and character skill. The new movement options are therefore more than mere scenery: they directly affect positioning and combat rhythm.

The main story expansion is Claptastic Voyage: the Vault Hunters are sent into Claptrap's consciousness to look for a hidden code. The Ultimate Vault Hunter Upgrade Pack 2, sold alongside it, raises the level cap by ten levels and adds ten more skill points.

In addition, Holodome Onslaught, Handsome Jack's doppelgänger and Lady Hammerlock count as add-on content. The Handsome Collection also includes Borderlands 2 and numerous add-ons for both games. It is a game collection, not an expansion of the Pre-Sequel. Before buying DLC, it is therefore important to check whether the chosen edition already includes the content.

For Windows, Steam's minimum requirements are a dual-core processor at 2.4 GHz, 2 GB RAM, a GeForce 8500 or Radeon HD 2600, and 13 GB of free storage. Recommended are, among others, a GeForce GTX 560 or Radeon HD 5850 and 20 GB of storage.

These details come from the original release and are no guarantee for running on old systems today: the Steam client has only supported Windows 10 and later since January 2024. According to the store notice, the Mac version is not compatible with macOS Catalina 10.15 or later. Steam also lists its own Linux requirements.

Four characters come with the base game: Athena (Gladiator), Wilhelm (Enforcer), Nisha (Lawbringer) and a combat-capable Claptrap. Each class has its own skills and progression options. Add-on content also lets you play as Handsome Jack's doppelgänger and Lady Hammerlock.

The total of six classes promoted later refers to the expanded complete editions; the original selection in the base game had four characters.

The campaign can be played solo or co-op. Gear and skills complement each other in a group. Local multiplayer options vary by platform: the Handsome Collection on PS4 and Xbox One was the first to be advertised with four-player split-screen.

The Legendary Collection on Switch, by contrast, supports local split-screen for two players or online co-op with up to four players. If you want to play together on the TV, check the specific edition and platform rather than assuming a single split-screen mode for all versions.