This is what Borderlands was meant to look like; art style inspired by short film 'Codehunters'

DSOGaming writes: "Gearbox’s Borderlands is perhaps one of the best cartoon-ish games. Borderlands uses a different technique for its cartoon-ish like visuals than cel-shading, but the final result is pretty close to it in our opinion. Needless to say that we don’t think there is something wrong calling Borderlands a cel-shaded game (as that term is used metaphorically to describe all cartoon-ish games with outlines), but that’s just us. Did you know, however, that the game had – originally – a more realistic look to it? Well, time to witness some of the early screenshots (as well as a target trailer) of it before it got ‘cel-ified.’"

[TheRealSpy]

As much as i'm okay with the cell-shaded art style, i still wish it would have gone for a more realistic, 3d look. Don't get me wrong, Fboys, i still think the game is a blast and can't wait for part 2 in 2 days.

[Irishguy95]

I'm fine with the cel-shaded anyway, I'd prefer if more games tried it actually/

[WildArmed]

Same, realistic has been overdone and has become overkill lately.
BF3 is the perfect example w/ the incessant amount of glare from any light source and crazy ass bloom.

I always prefer a variety of art style, I don't want games to be stuck in a rut pursuing photo realism only.

[EVILDEAD360]

Old news..that was literally the whole big story about the game when it released in 09.

The team took a HUGE chance changing the game for the new look, and it was by far one of reasons it stood out became such a hit.

There simply isnt another shooter franchise quite like it on the market.

Evil

[grailly]

I think the cell-shading gave it character, it really looked bland before they changed the art style.

I'll admit that I thought they went nuts when they changed the artstyle, but in the end it really fitted the universe better, I think.

[gaffyh]

This is true. When they originally showed the game, it looked very boring in terms of art-style, and making the drastic change to cel-shading helped it differentiate itself immensely. It was a really good design decision, and whoever made it, deserves to be promoted/a raise.

[TooTall19]

Not to mention cel-shaded games age much better. Look at Windwaker, Okami, and Dark Cloud 2.

[ALLWRONG]

Sorry but cell shaded looks better than "realistic 3D" on a big screen plasma. The color pops, realistic looking games are bland.

[Pintheshadows]

The last area of Borderlands where it is snowing is absolutely gorgeous.

[snipes101]

^this.

Anyone played Dust or Rayman Origins on a really nice flat screen?

O_o

[neogeo]

Looks even better on my new 55" samsung OLED!

That's not even out yet!

And I could not afford if it was:(

[IHateYouFanboys]

@snipes101: "Anyone played Dust or Rayman Origins on a really nice flat screen?"

they look brilliant, but theyre not cell shaded so i dont really see why you mentioned them.

i remember back before borderlands' release there was a fair bit of talk about the graphical change, and i personally was glad they did it. looks much better IMO. it helped that the game is one of the best this generation too, IMO of course.

[showtimefolks]

i like the new art style it gives the game a special feel like no many games out there

can't wait till i get my copy

[ABizzel1]

@TheRealSpy

I get what you're saying, but I think you said it wrong.

Most games suffer from a lack of art style, and it would be better if developers took their time to make unique worlds rather than "standard game" worlds.

That being said these screens are what Borderlands should have looked like. They have that same art as the game, but look like actual PS360 games, whereas the actual games look like PSVita.

[Laxman]

Your comment would have been fine, and highly agreeable, if you didnt revert to insinuating that all those who prefer the cellshaded sytle are fanboys. Poor form.

[TheRealSpy]

the dig was at people who take their opinion about a game so seriously that they can't handle the conflicting views of another person. not at people who like the cell-shaded look. like i said, i'm find with the current art style.

[Gwyn-Lord-Of-Cinder]

The cell shaded look makes borderlands unique

[BlitzAK]

Art style >>>>>>> Realistic look.

[MuhammadJA]

I agree with you. But whatever, since the cell-shaded was the first style that people saw, they'll still say they like it more.

[Bathyj]

na im glad they went cell shaded.
it could have looked like every other shooter, instead it looks unique

[NukaCola]

Agree, the original trailer looked cool, but I loved that they when with their unique celshaded looked. That put the games artstyle up there with Okami, Wind Waker, XIII, and MadWorld.. Made it different.

[CrimsonessCross]

I am just happy that some/most games haven't gone the "Me Too!" route :P :)

[Pintheshadows]

Have you tried giving Borderlands another shot yet chap?

[Bathyj]

Actually I played it over 20 hours on the weekend, thanks for asking.

I'm lvl 22, got some kickarse guns, and I'm definitely getting part 2 now.

Played the Lost Cave very early in the game. I was way underpowered and it took me ages having to go back and get ammo and health. I was down to a couple hundred dollars and couldnt afford to die again, (I wonder what happens if you die and have no cash.)

But then I went back to do the clap trap after leveling up and went through no problems.

Great game.

[neogeo]

Your moms arse is cell shaded!

[seanpitt23]

I agree with with therealspy the art style just doesn't Apeal to me I did complete the first one but I wish they made it look abit more realistic that's why I will probably pick up BL2 next year sometime.

[AtomicGerbil]

I can respect your opinion, but I will ask this.

If they had gone with the realistic look, don't you think it would have got lost in the plethora of realistic looking shooters out there?

I don't know of many first person shooters that have garnered the same interest as Borderlands. Especially considering the crap ending and the near empty maps. Considering these two complaints I still play it to this day.

[seanpitt23]

I can understand why they did it and it will sell millions like the first one did and I hope it does because I love these type of games like the loot bazillions of guns etc but the cartooney graphics just gets to me. If the graphics was more like rage then I would be sold but I do appreciate that it tries to be different from the norm and that's why I hope it sell well even if it's not for me

[Dynasty]

same with me.

It's hard to take the story/characters seriously

[firelogic]

The cell shaded look fits better with the overall light hearted nature of the game.

[Pintheshadows]

Even more so now as from what Randy Pitchford has been saying, they've upped the crazy this time round.

[FinaLXiii]

claptrap approves cel-shaded graphics

[Adexus]

Wasn't interested in the game at all until they went cel-shaded, gives the game a lot of character and makes it stand out from every other FPS.

[Venoxn4g]

try XIII, or you did it already :) (or Viewtiful joe 1 & 2, Killer 7, Alien hominid (console version) , though those 3 aren't fps'es) :)

[PiccoloGR]

there is also cel-shaded CryEngine 2 powered FPS, can't remember its name though. Merchants of Brooklyn or something like that

[Pintheshadows]

I quite liked the Darkness 2 for it's art style as well. And XIII is a great game.

[kostchtchie_]

@Pintheshadows

i liked darkness art style also

[MidnytRain]

Yup. The original concept was cool with the whole "bazillion guns" thing, but when I saw the art change it was like a fresh coat. For some reason people think RAGE copied Borderlands.

[r21]

Damn that short is awesome. I can really see where Borderlands got its concept from! XD
How sweet would it be if the devs put the characters from Codehunters into the borderlands universe? :O

[Venoxn4g]

better question, why this Codehunters still isn't a game? I would like it be like Bayonetta :D and cell shade

[r21]

Yeah whilst watching the video, i couldnt but think how awesome a hack and slash would be with the characters from the vid :)

[floetry101]

Without the cel-shading I doubt the game would have sold nearly as much, nor would it have spawned a sequel. It just goes to show, art design is incredibly important when you're producing a new IP.

[Convas]

BLEH. It looked terribly drab and uninspiring before. Thank goodness they with the Cel-shaded look!

[CrimsonessCross]

I was interested in the game already when the realistic trailer came out for it. The idea of millions+ guns had peaked my interest a heck of a lot. I don't think it would have had such a giant following as it does now because it "looked" like every other shooter on the shelf. The humor, the charm, the art direction, and the guns are easily remembered because of the way they went with the game.

[[ I still sort of yearn, not for the graphics, but possibly for weapons LIKE the P90, PP2000, F2000, M4-ish weapons in the game, but with the weapon randomization of the game. In a way, I guess I'd say leave that to the other shooters so they can have some means of their own and say "we have customization!".

I think also going into the original game I had the impression that everything was randomized (a.k.a sniper with no scope, pistol with sniper scope, being able to use ammo of any other weapon type if discovered, super fast fire rate vs. sluggish fire rate). I still wasn't disappointed, and I still love it for what it is :) ]]

The game, as it is today, I am happy they went the direction they did. They broke the mold of what most games (seem to want to) do in the shooter genre and that is take it to a realistic approach. Therre are quite a number of different art styles out there and not all of them need to be confined there! :)

I wonder how much the story has/had changed from then up to the release of the original game. How much seriousness it had (which, admittedly, it seems just about every FPS has a serious tonality to it) compared to what we have now. and It would be cool (bear with me) if there was at least a graphics mod over-haul to place itself back in that light, though it probably wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable...

Oh well, I enjoy the game for what it is and it is a piece of my life and my soul being stripped away by this game. See you all in Borderlands 2! :D <3

[kostchtchie_]

wish they would allow you to customize guns in crazy ways along side of the pre generated guns they do, i think that would be great, and maybe add weapon customization

[CrimsonessCross]

Maybe in the next one :) haha. I can just see it now

"We have announced a new DLC for Borderlands! This time you, the vault hunter, will not only be finding the guns in the game, you get to make them!

We have introduced a new system to where you may obtain a stock, barrel, scope, tag and more to build your OWN personalized weapon! From the average scopes of the Bandits to the deadly accuracy of Jakobs scopes you will be able to build a weapon catered to your own "caliber".

Ever wanted to combine the scope of a sniper on your pistol? possibly make a sniper without a scope, just to make it an iron sighted weapon? how about forgetting a sight altogether?! then go for it!...Although you can't do without the basics of weapon building, we had Steve try that once, and it wasn't pretty.

There are unlimited combinations you can achieve with this feature, and only the most sought for attachments will make you 'Vault Hunter of The Year!'

To combine the pieces you have salvaged and discovered we have made it possible to take it to a claptrap shop in Sanctuary that will build you the weapon of your dreams!

This is a new thing for us at Gearbox, so we will be keeping you updated as we work into making this a new feature for Borderlands!"

:P :)

[The-Wise-Fool]

I cannot wait for the game and I love the way the characters are drawn the unrealistic touch makes the wackiness and the essentially fun part of the game really merge together. I don't think all the humor would stick as well if they were aiming to be incredibly realistic

[banjadude]

Wow, it's crazy how much a game can change during development. The original version does look appealing in its own right.

[DwightOwen]

Just one more example of aesthetics > graphics.

[RedSoakedSponge]

i remember that first trailer with the half burnt girl. i was interested even back then! i think the graphical style really does add something to the game though so im glad they too a risk :)

[Hozi]

I'm with you on that bro...I love the game the way it is, but I can't help but ponder what it could have been had they kept the original style...I felt it to be more believable/realistic atmosphere.

[Megaton]

The cell shading is part of the Borderlands flavor. What further sets it apart from the big brown/grey blob that contains 90% of all other modern FPS.

[aGameDeveloper]

IIRC, they changed to cell shading shortly after Rage was announced. It would be interesting if the desire to not compete against Rage was partly the reason Borderlands stood out and became so popular - whereas Rage's great graphics wasn't enough to save it.

[GTRrocker666]

I remember looking forward to the game when it had the original look. I am glad they had tbe balls to go for something more original.

[gamerben]

both look fantastic.

[urwifeminder]

The first game was so boring im really blown away it got another run wow,just my opinion no need for death threats.

[taquito]

the first game looked great on pc, on consoles, still kinda cool, but those jaggies ,......holy shit.....those jaggies are extra bad in boderlands. ....i mean console games always have lots of jaggies, but the first borderlands on ps3/360 was nasty

hope they learned about aa, not like the game is super complex looking.

[axerated]

Personally I'd have preferred a more realistic style, still the cel shade does make the look more unique

[NeoTribe]

I absolutely love borderlands colorful artstyle. Its the main reason it stands out from the crowd.

[bahabeast]

i dnt mind the cell shade artistic style its actually one of the first things that drew me to the game and after trying it out absolute loved everything. most games go for a realistic look even though its much harder onli heavy rain. l.a noire and a few like it actually get character models and skin looking realistic.

[MasterD919]

They could have given you the choice of turning on the cell shade filter or not, but I think I still prefer the cell shade.

Although I will say that the images here look better than I thought they would. It could have worked either way.