In order to help the storytelling process, the underlying game systems have been changed significantly. Quests are no longer a simple case of "kill/collect this, then return to where you started" -- objectives are dynamic and can often change. Quest markers can move, and the whole world feels more "alive" as a result.

It's not just the story that has had an overhaul, though -- the acclaimed random weapon system of the original also has greater depth. Now the different manufacturers of the guns play a role in both the weapon's visual appearance and the way they behave. Tediore guns, for example, are "the Walmart of the weaponry world," and as such "reloading" one actually sees your character toss it away like a piece of trash before pulling out another identical weapon. Hitting something with a tossed gun allows you to do a surprising amount of damage, too, dependent on the amount of ammo left in it when you throw it away.

AI has been enhanced too, with the player no longer able to game the system by hopping up onto rocks that enemies can't reach. Now, enemies will cooperate, work together and behave in more unpredictable manners. On the flip side, though, they all have new injured, staggered and knockdown states, making it obvious that shooting them is actually having a physical effect on them as well as depleting their health bar.

All in all, Borderlands 2 looks like Borderlands, but bigger, better, more so. The game has been refined and adapted to provide a smoother experience with less fiddling around in menus -- and the menus themselves have been revamped to work better in split screen and on PC. The HUD is cleaner and simpler, with a much-needed minimap function. And the quests on offer provide a much greater variety of things to do.

In short, it's looking great so far. Those who played and loved the original will not be disappointed -- and neither will newcomers.