Episodic games were all the rage in the early-to-mid 2010s. A handful of titles adopted the format to help spread the development time and give fans a reason to be excited about each new chapter. It had been done before, but Telltale's The Walking Dead was the game to make episodes commonplace, and many believe it is yet to be topped. However, the California-based outfit has more than one hit, and while Tales from the Borderlands didn't make as big of a splash, its quality couldn't be disputed. In 2022, the game is receiving a follow-up, as the aptly-titled New Tales from the Borderlands will look to carry on the legacy of the first, albeit in a very different way.
New Tales from the Borderlands is fresh for a number of different reasons. Rhys and Fiona won't be the protagonists this time around and Gearbox Software will take the role of developer. Perhaps the biggest change of all, however, is the decision to abandon the episodic format the first used through 2014-2015. This is nothing new in the industry, however, as Life is Strange: True Colors did the same thing. It worked wonders for Deck Nine, and New Tales from the Borderlands should be eager to replicate its success.
Tales from the Borderlands Matches Life is Strange's Quality
Alex Chen's re-homing in the fictional town of Haven Springs is delightful from start to finish. The characters she meets, the conspiracy she gets wrapped up in, and the emotions she feels both for herself and others all do well to conjure a narrative that stays with players long after the credits roll. It's an emotional gut-punch, but one that feels thoroughly worthwhile, even in comparison to other games released in the busy 2021 calendar year. It's made even better by the pacing, which never falters thanks to the whole experience being available on the day of launch.
Tales from the Borderlands was undeservedly overlooked and provided the Borderlands world with some of its best characters while fleshing out a handful that were introduced in the shooters that preceded it. Rhys and Fiona were a breath of fresh air while fitting seamlessly into the harsh setting of Pandora, coming from very different backgrounds, and the journey they take easily stood alongside Borderlands 2 as one of the most memorable in the franchise. New Tales from the Borderlands dropping them may prove to be a mistake, but the characters it will present are given the best possible chance to succeed, given that Gearbox knows the IP so well and the game won't be spread over an entire calendar year.
Episodic Games' Declining Popularity
Life is Strange: True Colors' core format isn't unlike previous games in the series, but with all five chapters available from the get-go it eradicated the often frustrating and lengthy wait to see the story truly flourish. Players could enjoy a brief, but charming getaway to Haven Springs and not have to begrudgingly leave while developer Deck Nine rushes to finish the story in time for fall. It's a game that can be enjoyed over a weekend, making repeat playthroughs years later transport players back to the first time they experienced the tale.
Telltale's games have always been better enjoyed in one swoop, as the characters and their motivations are fresh on players' minds instead of constantly having to make introductions and remember the events of the last episode. Releasing each new part months apart felt less about maintaining a sense of excitement and anticipation than it did about cramming in the development time needed to make a game not only great, but playable. Life is Strange: True Colors is short, but very sweet, and never outstays its welcome. Episodes may seem like an interesting and viable way to release a game, but the reality is that, regardless of length, a game should be made available in its entirety on release. Deck Nine knew this with Life is Strange: True Colors, and it seems that Gearbox, too, is seeing the light.
New Tales from the Borderlands is available October 21 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.