I do get pleasure from a great learn. Switching off all exterior stimuli and relying solely on the written phrase and my very own creativeness to image what is going on within the security of my very own head appears like correct rest. After I can mix this exercise with my love of video video games, then nicely, that’s actually a good time.
And wouldn’t you already know it, however there’s a new e book from Titan Books primarily based 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 be written by Anthony Burch, author of my favorite sport of the entire sequence, Borderlands 2. With a pedigree like that on board, what may probably go unsuitable?
The story of the e book 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 all the time difficult in a evaluate of a e book as to how a lot element to enter – an excessive amount of will spoil the story, clearly, however I need to gee you as much as go and browse the remainder of the e book!
Anyway, as a naked bones define, Fiona and Sasha get their fingers on a Typhon DeLeon Vaultlander doll, which is price an obscene amount of cash. After all, they now have to promote mentioned doll to a “nerd with deep pockets” and so head to Eden-5, house to numerous billionaires. As they’re about to finish the sale, a sure Mechromancer comes via the wall and makes an attempt to kill their purchaser. What’s going to occur subsequent? Effectively, I’m not going to clarify any additional, however suffice to say that there are various crosses, double crosses and I feel a minimum of one triple cross!
The writing on show right here is superb certainly, from the language used to the precise flip of phrase that you just simply know {that a} Vault Hunter would use. There’s a actual urgency to the story, an virtually bodily have to get to the following a part of the narrative and see how all the pieces seems. The Mechromancer is in fact Gaige, alongside along with her trusty murderbot, Deathtrap, recent from Borderlands 2. However we get to see a special aspect of her right here, and we additionally get to know extra about Fiona and Sasha. Rhys? Effectively, not a lot, as he has a really background position this time round. Getting a peek into the three fundamental characters’ motivations and inside thought processes, is one thing {that a} e book will all the time do higher than a online game, and for that reason I for one hope Mr Burch may be prevailed upon to jot down just a few extra.
One factor that older readers, equivalent to myself, will recognize about Borderlands: Debt or Alive is that at sure factors within the narrative, it turns right into a “Select your personal Journey” e book. Bear in mind these? Sure, this may pause and offer you just a few choices to comply with – will you bribe somebody or threaten them, as an example? Effectively, 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 within the Ian Livingstone days. It’s, nevertheless, nonetheless an satisfying diversion.
Additionally scattered via the work are a variety of amusing footnotes, very a lot within the fashion of Sir Terry Pratchett, that lend an additional little bit of the background to no matter is going on for the time being. There’s a playfulness all through Borderlands: Debt or Alive, which is usually at odds with the intense violence and normal 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 approach of self expression, the identical banter between the characters; it’s all brilliantly Borderlands, and I liked each web page.
I suppose the ethical of the story right here is that in order for you a e book illustration of considered one of 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 ought to 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.
Big thanks exit to Titan Books for sending us a duplicate of Borderlands: Debt of Alive for evaluate. Seize a duplicate for your self from Titan Books direct. £9.99 is a steal.
And if fairly footage are extra your factor, significantly think about trying out Titan’s gorgeous The Artwork of Borderlands 3.
