Borderlands: The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned Review

Borderlands: The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned

Information
Developers: Gearbox Software.
Publishers: 2K Games
Platforms: PC (Windows, OS X), Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Type: DLC/Add-On.
Modes: Single-Player, Co-Op Multiplayer, "Vs. Multiplayer"
Genres/Perspective/Flow: First Person Shooter, Role Playing game, Science Fiction, Action-Adventure
Rating: ESRB - M, PEGI - 18
Series: Borderlands
Average Completion Time: 5-6 Hours
Trophies/Achievements: 5 in Total
Additional: review based on Xbox 360 version.
(Source: Wikipedia)

Synopsis:

The Jakobs Corporation would like to invite you to experience the splendor of a corporate owned small town known as Jakobs Cove. Any rumors you may have heard about the "undead" walking our streets are completely preposterous and we officially deny them all. If those rumors turn out to be true simply purchase a firearm from the conveniently located Jakobs Brand Vending Machines and aim for the head. Also, would you mind saving our employees? (Non-union only please) (Source: howlongtobeat.com)

Review:

The first downloadable content for Borderlands brings lots of new ideas on to the table: from new enemies, a good storyline, more quests and even more LOOT!
As the name implies “Zombie Island” the primary enemies you will fight are zombies which come in a few different design and varieties to not get too repetitive but due to their only being around three different designs for the regular zombies and no differences in “special” zombie forms which was a slight disappointment. Though while where on the topic of the zombies, one of better points about them is how their A.I works as they will try to work together such as: one group of regular ones will slowly group around (These are slow moving zombie type), then a spitting zombie will blind and slow you down allowing slower ones to catch up and kill you. These sorts of combination are great and really add to the gaming experience, making you think about to engage in each encounter.

Though zombies aren't the only things you’ll be fighting on this nightmarish island, as you encounter Wereskags, Frankenstein like monsters that carry loot crates on their backs and freaky bosses like Pumpkinhead. All fit nicely into the environment the DLC is based in which takes a different route especially in colour palette which features dark greens, dark blues, dirty greys and browns to create a realistic but quirky Halloween type location, which is only strengthened by the dark abandoned spooky towns that all have lights on to add to the creepiness, the pumpkins that litter the landscape and the winding trees that give of a strange vibe. This is only completed though by the environments design which confuse the player into how to navigate the areas available as you have to walk to each area, yes there’s no fast travel which is a pain but it does add to the experience as a whole, since you keep having to fight ravenous monsters as a result.

The plot surrounding this add-on is much better than the main game, as it features plot twists, interesting back-story found in ECHO recordings and a likeable antagonist. All this is told during dialogue in both main quests and side quests in a believable way with just the right amount of length to keep you from getting bored. However as for the quests themselves they aren’t that brilliant since they just feature objectives either are, “go kill something” or “go collect something” though what you go collect is quite fun in indeed from ECHO recordings mentioned before to Brains; yes brains which might as well be collectables as collecting with last you the whole main quest and beyond which was a nice addition.

Now for the topic you've waited for: THE LOOT! Yes there is new loot however while you get much from enemies loot wise, in the main game you no very often from them. Well in this DLC you get loot from just about every zombie which is nice at the start, but gets overwhelming later on as you feel you have to collect it all, and they’ll be one piece you use while the rest you sell for money which by the way still doesn't have use.   

In conclusion the first downloadable content for Borderlands is a great addition to the game having a more colour and diverse environment, a better storyline and new enemies to kill, which  is only held back by minor changes to gameplay that become boring very quickly.  

Final Scores: 

Story/Characters: 7.0

Gameplay: 7.2

Visuals: 7.6

Final Verdict: 7.2/10 (Good)