It is always amazing to me now that nearly five months after its release, we are still talking about Borderlands like it just hit shelves. The numerous additions of DLC to the mix has really kept the game in my rotation since it was released. The Secret Armory of General Knoxx is the latest and by far, the most impressive addition to date. Not only do we get a raised level cap of 61, but we also get tons of new missions, a plot beyond the core game, lots of new rare weapons, and new vehicles and enemies. This is the definition of expansion to a game that already has 50+ hours of content already on the disc. Borderlands may have the longest shelf life for a game in my collection for quite some time.
First and foremost I highly recommend finishing the main game before diving into General Knoxx. Mostly because the storyline picks up after the main story, but also because jumping in at a low level will end up in you spending most of your time respawning. General Knoxx is definitely geared towards the veteran Borderlands players, and if you are at least somewhere between level 30 and 40, you should find the difficulty just right.
The game starts off in T-Bone Junction, a sort of central hub for the entire package. The way Knoxx is set up reminds me of a giant highway. The focus is definitely more on driving as there are no teleporters within the world. You will have to venture from one end of the highway to the other for most quests. This was actually my biggest gripe as there were times I found myself really taken out of the experience due to the travel time. The highways are pretty barren and outside of some roadblocks or various enemies, the drive between points can become tedious.
Outside of that the rest of the experience is downright incredible. The team at Gearbox has done a fantastic job of rekindling my love for the Borderlands experience. The new level cap provides plenty to strive for, while the quirky and diverse mission set provides another reason to sink multiple hours into this incredible game. The main plot line can be blasted through in a sitting or two, and offers up some inside looks into new characters such as Athena, as well as deeper looks at Scooter and Mad Moxxi. The storyline actually flows well and continues to keep things interesting. I especially loved when General Knoxx would relax his messages about killing me with his dry tone.
Of course just blasting through the missions is not what Borderlands is all about. There are a ton of new sidequests to embark on. Some returning characters and some new will keep your time in the world of Pandora very busy. I cannot begin to tell you how many additional hours this pack adds, but it is likely more than most full-priced games offer. The new collection of enemies really does a good job of spicing up the game as well. There are new monsters in the sand dunes, new soldiers with rocket packs, and my favorite the ninja assassin girls that randomly appear in a crashed space ship. The AI also feels more in tune with the environments, giving you more of a challenge.
Whether you are questing alone or with a group of friends the new vehicles really help out the cause. The faster Racer will help with the long jaunts across the world, while the Lancer and Monster both pack a meaner punch, and one even offers the ability to fit four players so no longer will you need two vehicles. The sheer amount of content to be discovered in Knoxx makes the $10 price tag an absolute steal. If you even remotely like Borderlands, this is a must own.
The Secret Armory of General Knoxx is one of the best add-ons I have played for a game thus far. If you still own Borderlands and enjoyed it, this is definitely something you have to pick up. The new content makes the game feel fresh once again, and the size and scope are absolutely amazing when you consider this is a download-only expansion. It is sad that this may in fact be the final DLC for the game, but if it is, what an incredible way to go out.
Review copy provided by publisher.
