In part one of ZAM's Borderlands impressions, we jump into the single-player campaign to see what everyone's been raving about with this FPS/RPG hybrid with MMO tendencies.

The MMO industry isn't as "niche" as it used to be. Proof of that concept is perhaps the current rise of MMO-styled video games like Borderlands, the new post-apocalyptic first-person shooter. Developed by GearBox Software, it's the newest multi-platform (PC, Xbox 360, Playstation 3) adventure-shooter in a recent trend of "MMO-like" games; that is to say, technically it’s not an MMO, as defined by the usual "persistent world" criterion. However, it wouldn't be difficult for newcomers playing their first couple hours of cooperative mode online to mistake Borderlands and a MMOFPS, if they didn't know any better.

It's one of the newest "hybrid" FPS-RPG titles gaining popularity within the gaming community since recent titles like Fallout 3, blurring the line between what we previously defined as "atypical" elements of FPS games and RPGs. Released to widespread anticipation on October 29, Borderlands goes beyond the hybrid gameplay we saw in titles like Fallout 3, offering a more "MMO-like" experience in both single-player and multi-player modes. In this preview, ZAM takes a look at this developing new genre from the single-player perspective in Borderlands. Our second installment—coming up in a day or two—takes a more in-depth look at its online "co-op" and other multi-player modes, which further define Borderlands as one of the most "MMO-like" games we've seen to date.

Announced by GearBox Software in 2007, the rumors were that Borderlands would offer an innovative gameplay experience that drew inspiration from several genres; the fast-paced "twitch" action of a FPS, set in a post-apocalyptic world that players could explore while "leveling up" their characters via a questing system similar to mainstream RPGs. In addition, Borderlands aims to capitalize on the trend of co-op "survival" gameplay popularized by recent titles like Left 4 Dead, letting friends join up online and progress through content together.

The story of Borderlands begins in Pandora, a distant planet on the edge of the galaxy. Hoping to find a lush world filled with natural resources, the first human colonists arrived to find a barren, inhospitable planet offering nothing more than a harsh life in a dangerous environment. Most of the colonists tried to leave the planet, but those who couldn't were forced to try to make a life on Pandora, scavenging the remains of what appears to be an ancient, alien civilization.

The atmosphere is almost reminiscent of the Old West; a population of settlers living outside the law, broken up into small communities with outlaw gangs and loners. Most of the original colonists are just trying to survive, but the most ambitious of the lot are hell-bent on finding the mythical "Vault," a cache of long-lost alien technology and secrets carved into the side of a mountain. After a few years, Pandora begins to thaw as it enters its spring cycle, awakening its native wildlife from hibernation. Would-be treasure seekers get more than they bargained for, facing not only each other to contend with, but a horrifying assortment of alien creatures as well.

Sounds like the screenplay from a B-list sci-fi movie, doesn't it? It might not be the most original story, but it makes a great backdrop for Borderlands' gameplay. The whole "post-apoc" genre is gaining popularity in today's video game scene, with many players tired of the usual "swords and sorcery" and "space opera" fare. It's part of what made the Fallout series so successful, and it might be one of the main reasons why the recent Fallen Earth MMO attracted so many gamers right out of the starting gate.

Graphically-speaking, the developers stepped outside the box to offer something a little different than most players are used to seeing. Borderlands features unique visuals by using hand-drawn textures to create a highly-stylized game world. The planet's barren environments would typically look drab and fatigued if it weren't for the developers' innovative art style, which resembles something you might find in a comic book. Instead, Borderlands' hand-drawn textures—with outlined "stencil" effects—bring life to this otherwise dead world. The artists were able to retain the desolate, inhospitable "feel" of Pandora while giving players the broad color palette and high-end graphics detail they need to stay engaged, without suffering eye-strain from looking at the same drab landscape for hours on end.

As a freelance treasure-hunter on your quest to seek out the elusive Vault, you'll begin your journey on a transport bus driving to Fyrestone, a small settlement town. As an MMO gamer, you'll immediately recognize the intro as your character selection process; the first real indication that this isn't your average FPS. There are four classes in the game; the Soldier, the Hunter, the Siren and the Berserker. Each character has its own strengths and weaknesses, including a special ability unique to each class. In addition, each class has an MMO-styled "skill tree" that adds and enhances abilities. Skills can be leveled up in one of three paths, depending on your play style. For example, if you're going to be playing a lot of online co-op, you can put skill points toward abilities that will enhance your entire team, instead of just your own performance.

The Soldier, Roland, is an all-around arms class, relying on a wide array of firearms and technology. His special skill is the ability to drop an automated turret on the ground, providing additional damage and cover fire. The Hunter, Mordecai, is more of a "damage-from-a-distance" class, relying on sniper rifles and long-range attacks. His skill is his pet bird-of-prey, Bloodwing, which can swoop in and attack multiple enemies.

The Berserker, Brick, is what MMO fans would identify as a "tank" class, dishing out high damage up-close-and-personal, while relying on heavy weapons like explosives. His "berserk" skill temporarily boosts his melee damage, and reduces the damage he takes. Lastly, Lilith, the Siren, is a stealth-like class that ranks high in critical damage while evading attacks. Her "Phase Walk" ability allows her to turn invisible, boosts her movement speed and executes an area-of-effect attack upon ending the skill.

Similar to an MMO or RPG, killing enemies and completing quests earn you experience points to increase your character level. Aside from your base skills rising with your level, you'll receive skill points to spend on special ability. Many of the abilities you can unlock are team-oriented, like the Soldier's ability to heal his teammates, or the Hunter's ability to increase loot drops. The skill tree you decide to focus on will sometimes depend on how often you plan to play online with other players as a team, which we will cover in more detail in the second installment of our Borderlands preview.

Once you've chosen a character class, you'll step off the transport bus to meet Claptrap, a friendly little robot that guides you throughout the game, explaining its mechanics and nudging you in the right direction. Within the first couple of minutes of gameplay, you'll find yourself under fire from marauding bandits, which serves as a tutorial stage. Claptrap gives you some gear, tells you how to move around and shoot and leaves you to fend off the attacking bandits.

The combat is thankfully familiar; despite Borderlands' genre-blending gameplay, the RPG aspects don't overshadow the FPS action, as we've seen in many past hybrids. It's not necessarily on par with the "twitch" level of FPS games like Counterstike, the Unreal or Battlefield series, but firefights are satisfyingly action-packed and semi-realistic. However, some FPS fans might find the "anatomy" mechanic a bit lackluster; although headshots are recognized, they won't always provide an instant-kill. Just like you, enemies have a set amount of hit points, and headshots are measured as "critical hits." They deal massively more damage than body shots, but if the enemy's hit points are high enough, it can survive a headshot. Plus, many humanoid enemies are equipped with the same energy shields as you, which means that you have to get through the shield before you can start lowering their hit points.

Still, it's more of a realistic and satisfying combat experience than some fans expected, considering that armed combat is just part of what Borderlands has to offer. Although it's a fairly linear game, the story plays out through a variety of missions (quests), similar to an RPG. The missions you pick up from various NPCs advance the story and your character, rewarding you with experience points, money and sometimes loot. Optional side-quests help give the feeling of an open-ended gameplay, but they're far outnumbered by the "core" quests that drive the game from start to finish.

There's plenty of gear and weapons to be collected, too. In fact, one of the most-hyped features of Borderlands was the procedurally-generated loot; there are more than 17 million different variations of guns available. Items have inherent stats, like the amount of damage they do, how quickly they reload, accuracy ratings and many other variables. Throughout your journey you'll probably never find the exactly the same gun twice, and there are plenty of them scattered throughout Pandora. Weapons and items also have different rarities, indicated by the familiar color-coding system. Collecting loot is almost a mini-game in itself, since you can trade items and weapons with teammates, sell them for cash, upgrade items like grenades with "mods" and more. Of course, there are also "boss drops;" pre-defined rare weapons and items that can only be obtained at certain points in the game.

Without teammates to share the fun though, Borderlands is a slightly different game. Despite its influences, Pandora isn't chock-full of NPCs like other RPGs. It's a pretty lonely place for the single player; you'll find a lot more creatures and bad guys who want to kill you than those that want to shake your hand, at a ratio of about 1000 to 1. Not all of the NPCs are fully voice-acted, either; although you'll still get a kick out of the occasional settler, like the redneck "T.K. Baha," one of the first you'll meet.

Thankfully, you don't have to run around on foot for hours to find those NPCs, either. You'll find plenty of "Catch-a-Ride" stations scattered throughout the game world, where you can borrow a Mad Max-style dune buggy (equipped with rocket launchers and machine guns) to tool around the wastelands.

Upon release, Borderlands seemed to live up to almost everything fans expected; an action-oriented, FPS/RPG hybrid with progression-based leveling and team-based co-op play. Although there's plenty of fun to be had in single-player mode—questing, leveling up, maxing out your gear and weapons—it's the team co-op mode that truly sends Borderlands into new and innovative territory. Check back with us in a day or two for "Part II" of our impressions, in which ZAM's Pwyff takes a closer look at Borderlands' co-op gameplay, and why MMO fans should care.