If anything, I would advise newcomers to begin with the original just to understand some of the inside humour that parlays into the sequel’s minor quotations and clues for an easier understanding to its dialogue. My advice would be to temper expectations before heading in, and don’t try to compare it to the astounding works of Telltale’s entry. New Tales from the Borderlands may not be as sharp as the original, but if you’re looking for a great follow-up with a fresh feel, a unique band of miscreants and something to chuckle at, then this will deliver on those fronts. Laura Bailey does reprise her role as Fiona, but this is in a minor flashback to Tales, with Narrator Bruce DuBose, welcoming us back as Marcus Kincaid. While Ray Chase reprises his role as Rhys from Borderlands 3, taking over the incomparable Troy Baker, a quartet of fresh faces take the mantle with Michelle Rambharose (The Outer Worlds, Arkham Horror) taking the lead as Anu, Diego Stredel as Octavio, Lucia Frangione as Fran and Temapare Hodson hilariously delivering the perfect colloquy as Louie. However, the performances from the title’s cast is portrayed outstandingly well. While I would have loved some sort of Tie-in here, with notable artists such as Jungle, the compilation here isn’t as memorable. Keeping with Tales tradition, each episode is introduced with a cold open that follows into a musical number accompanied by montage of events that lead into the opening act. It’s a neat little addition to the game that will strip some of the monotony that tends to set in. Duking it out is similar to a Street Fighter like presentation, with respective figures’ health represented atop the screen. There are 20 unique Vaultlanders to collect, each come with their own respective Attack and Defense points, a special ability and range of offense. Vaultlanders is a 1v1 TTRPG like action-like fighter, that has a series of collectable figures that you obtain throughout your escapades, duke it out in fantasy like fashion. In addition to our cavalcade of cohorts and their campaign, comes some pretty cool minigames and sidequests. A part of me wishes that Gearbox would use this engine and remaster the original Tales to look this nice. The animations are emphatically improved and some of the cinematics are absolutely gorgeous. Graphically speaking, it’s upgrade to Tales with some major model changes that give our new cast some added character and flair to their deliveries. You can play New Tales without ever enjoying its predecessor, but will miss the litany of call backs and Easter eggs that are littered across this entry. Nonetheless, the title retains the same great accessibility imposed by Telltale, allowing anyone to pick-up and play the game without having any experience whatsoever. Each protagonist come with their own respective features that make for some interesting plot ties and twists throughout the campaign, including Fran’s ability to freeze enemies using her mobility chair, Octavio is an elite hacker that’s able to gain access to other people’s private information across the web, but is also able to obtain control over their smart devices, and Anu equips herself some high-quality technologically advanced specs, allowing her to scan objects and see through walls, akin to Rhys’ ECHO eye implant. All three protagonists have set ambitions and goals which they are acting on, but have reached an untimely boiling point that leads them against the agents of Tediore, racing toward a Vault Key which in similar vein to the last will lead them to life changing riches. Then there’s Francine, a mobility riding badass who’s notorious for serving up some of the best frozen yoghurt in town. or “Louie”, a trained assassin-loaderbot, or killbot whom, might I add may have the most charming and hilarious personality in the entire campaign. Octavio is Anu’s younger brother, whose mission in life is to become rich and famous, while taking up a side hustle as a private bounty hunter with his friend L.0.U.1.3. Anu, a contracted scientist working with ATLAS, has a similar relationship with Rhys, just as he did with Hugo Vasquez. Unlike the original Tales where the timeline would hop between Rhys and Fiona, we now take control of three respective individuals, each with their own reason in becoming Vault Hunters. Rhys is still the President of ATLAS, and yes he still has that horrible moustache. The title is set after the events of Borderlands 3, with Tediore continuing their takeover of Promethea.
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