I do get pleasure from an excellent learn. Switching off all exterior stimuli and relying solely on the written phrase and my very own creativeness to image what is occurring within the security of my very own head appears like correct leisure. Once I can mix this exercise with my love of video video games, then effectively, that’s actually a good time.
And wouldn’t you recognize it, however there’s a new ebook from Titan Books based mostly across the Tales of the Borderlands video games, entitled Borderlands: Debt or Alive.
The very first thing that drew me to it was clearly the Borderlands title, however then I realised that this specific tome can also be written by Anthony Burch, author of my favorite sport of the entire sequence, Borderlands 2. With a pedigree like that on board, what might presumably go improper?
The story of the ebook picks up on the finish of Tales from the Borderlands, the place Fiona, Sasha and Rhys have simply opened the Vault of the Traveller. It’s at all times tough in a evaluation of a ebook as to how a lot element to enter – an excessive amount of will spoil the story, clearly, however I wish to gee you as much as go and skim the remainder of the ebook!
Anyway, as a naked bones define, Fiona and Sasha get their palms on a Typhon DeLeon Vaultlander doll, which is value an obscene sum of money. After all, they now must promote mentioned doll to a “nerd with deep pockets” and so head to Eden-5, dwelling to numerous billionaires. As they’re about to finish the sale, a sure Mechromancer comes by means of the wall and makes an attempt to kill their purchaser. What’s going to occur subsequent? Properly, I’m not going to elucidate any additional, however suffice to say that there are quite a lot of crosses, double crosses and I believe a minimum of one triple cross!
The writing on show right here is excellent certainly, from the language used to the precise flip of phrase that you simply simply know {that a} Vault Hunter would use. There’s a actual urgency to the story, an virtually bodily must get to the subsequent a part of the narrative and see how every thing seems. The Mechromancer is in fact Gaige, alongside along with her trusty murderbot, Deathtrap, contemporary from Borderlands 2. However we get to see a distinct aspect of her right here, and we additionally get to know extra about Fiona and Sasha. Rhys? Properly, not a lot, as he has a really background position this time round. Getting a peek into the three major characters’ motivations and internal thought processes, is one thing {that a} ebook will at all times do higher than a online game, and for that reason I for one hope Mr Burch will be prevailed upon to jot down just a few extra.
One factor that older readers, resembling myself, will respect about Borderlands: Debt or Alive is that at sure factors within the narrative, it turns right into a “Select your personal Journey” ebook. Bear in mind these? Sure, this may pause and offer you just a few choices to observe – will you bribe somebody or threaten them, for example? Properly, fortunately all the alternatives result in the identical place (and sure, I did learn all of them) and so the jeopardy isn’t as excessive because it was once within the Ian Livingstone days. It’s, nevertheless, nonetheless an gratifying diversion.
Additionally scattered by means of the work are a variety of amusing footnotes, very a lot within the type of Sir Terry Pratchett, that lend an additional little bit of the background to no matter is occurring for the time being. There’s a playfulness all through Borderlands: Debt or Alive, which is usually at odds with the intense violence and common mayhem that is occurring, however it’s this that captures the spirit of the Borderlands video games – and captures it brilliantly. The identical darkish humour, the identical use of violence as a method of self expression, the identical banter between the characters; it’s all brilliantly Borderlands, and I cherished each web page.
I suppose the ethical of the story right here is that if you’d like a ebook illustration of one among your favorite sport franchises (as Borderlands is for me) one of the best factor to do is to get the bloke who wrote one of the best of the video games to scribble it for you. It has labored brilliantly on this case, and Borderlands: Debt or Alive must be on the studying checklist of any self respecting fan of the franchise. After all, as this can be a standalone story, it additionally works rather well as an introduction to the characters discovered within the Borderlands video games. And, frankly, extra background to any video games universe is alright with me.
Large thanks exit to Titan Books for sending us a duplicate of Borderlands: Debt of Alive for evaluation. Seize a duplicate for your self from Titan Books direct. £9.99 is a steal.
And if fairly photos are extra your factor, significantly take into account testing Titan’s beautiful The Artwork of Borderlands 3.
