Review: Tales From The Borderlands — Episode 2, Atlas Mugged

Sequels and follow-ups are tough, and Tales From The Borderlands, from Telltale Games, may be proving exactly that with, “Atlas Mugged”. Previously published on Exeposé Online, this time we have a classic case of the sequel jitters:

 

In my review of the exquisite first chapter in the Tales From The Borderlands series, I felt that it might’ve even been a touch too good. From the clever, experimental methods of changing perspective to its effectively silly gags, so much was packed into a full-fat series opening. “Atlas Mugged” unfortunately falls foul of this; many of the best ideas have been crammed into the first episode at the expense of the next, and “Atlas Mugged”, while still an entertaining one and a half hour experience, is a far weaker episode overall.

Tales From The Borderlands remains appealing to both fans of its source material Borderlands, and those who aren’t. However, there’s arguably more fan service in “Atlas Mugged” in comparison to the first episode. We’re treated to a brief, irreverent recap from Borderlands peripheral character Marcus Kincaid, and we get to visit locations and more returning cast members that’ll be familiar to franchise veterans.

The story remains focused on the two playable characters, Rhys and Fiona, still in their hunt for a Vault Key in hope of fame and riches. Telltale have also continued their use of unreliable narrators: each character regularly claims the other is embellishing their tale that you’re playing through, making for some amusing storytelling. The cast are generally well-acted, with the introduction of Handsome Jack — a computer programme version now inhabiting ex-Hyperion employee Rhys — leading the good performances.

The computerised Handsome Jack provides most of the effective jokes

While the episode is funny, “Atlas Mugged”’s collective sense of humour is sorely lacking, as many jokes really fail to hit the mark. Where you might’ve needed to massage your aching sides after the first episode, too often here you’ll find yourself hammering the face buttons on your controller to move the dialogue tree onward and leave the awkward silence behind.

However, the worst is yet to come. Like, but to a lesser extent, in “ZerO Sum”, the chapter’s weakest moments occur when Tales From The Borderlands feels that it needs to reflect its source material in gameplay terms. The zany, chaotic world and immature humour feels right at home in an episodic, point and click adventure game, but not the FPS-related combat. Currency returns, with the addition of elemental weaponry and gun brands has no effect on the narrative. The thrill of looting a crate for credits will leave you shrugging with apathy when you have no meaningful way of using it, so the sooner TFTB stops flirting with the gameplay of Borderlands the better.

On the other hand, choice and its impact on your story is improved, but remains a little frustrating. For instance, the potentially frustrating illusion of choice that happens too often in the game is encapsulated when you’re given the option of rescuing the other half of your misfit brigade stealthily or guns blazing, only to be captured immediately after you’ve made decision. Sigh. But, other choices could prove interesting; the choice that ends the episode will directly affect the next one.

Choices appear to have more impact as a whole, but some illusory options still linger here and there

“Atlas Mugged” was always going to experience difficulty in following such an excellent opening, but the continued use of valueless choices alongside a few too many unfunny jokes is troubling. It’s worth remembering, however, that the episode still capitalises on the gains of the first episode in terms of character performance and the clever story structure, but as soon as Tales From The Borderlands carves out its own places in the Borderlands universe, the series can get back to the peak set out by the brilliant “ZerO Sum”.

 

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Do you agree with me that episode two struggles to hit the lofty heights of the first? What episodic games are you playing at the moment? Let me know in the comments, as well as like and share this review, below.