THE BEST SHOOTER OF 2019: BORDERLANDS 3
Written By: Kabriel Hoover
Borderlands 3 is a prime example of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The game doesn’t change up the formula in any keyways, but that’s a strength, not a weakness. Borderlands isn’t complicated: you shoot, then you loot, you do it all again, and you love every minute of it. Is Borderlands 3 perfect? No. The plot is a little weak, and there can be some frustrating moments in some missions. But, at the end of the day, it is the game I played the most in 2019. The gunplay feels fantastic. The writing is funny, if not a little immature (which I love), and the gameplay loop is incredibly satisfying. The RPG elements are perfect, and it is incredibly gratifying to achieve an overpowered, devastating build. When you add a friend to all of this, the game becomes even more fun. Trying to compliment each other’s builds adds another layer of complexity to the game, and the chaos that erupts with nearly every combat scenario can create both tense and comedic moments. I got the Platinum trophy for this game and put near 100 hours into Borderlands 3 when I also take into account my playthrough with my best friend. It’s not perfect, it’s not complicated, but it’s one of the best games of the year.
RUNNER UP SHOOTER OF THE YEAR: APEX LEGENDS
Written By: Kevin Alvarez
Respawn had one of the best years as a developer. Not only did they capture the magic of a stellar Star Wars game, but they also made of the best Battle Royale games on the market. Apex Legends came out in February of 2019 with no lead-up or prior leaks of the existence of the game. The developers of the critically acclaimed Titanfall series delivered on another fast-paced and highly competitive hit.
What sets Apex Legends apart from its heavy competition was the sense of teamwork, different hero shooter characters, and it’s easy to use ping system.
