Overall: 7.5/10

Story:

As someone who only ever played Borderlands 2 many years ago and has a pretty minor nostalgia for the series, I went into Tales from the Borderlands without much bias one way or the other. What I found, though, was a genuinely enjoyable experience that stands out in Telltale’s lineup and clearly offers something unique within the Borderlands universe.
The general plot of Tales is solid, but what really makes it shine, in my opinion, is the way it’s told. The pacing is incredibly efficient; there’s no bloat or wasted time, and pretty much every scene and line feels like it has a purpose. Additionally, the cast of truly interesting characters mixed with a story brimming with sharp, entertaining, and authentic humor, makes for a narrative that’s as fun to experience as it is engaging.
I think the humor deserves a special mention here because it’s obviously not easy to pull off comedy in video games since comedy is very subjective, but I feel like Tales does it effortlessly. More than once I found myself laughing out loud at moments that caught me completely off guard, and the comedic moments never felt forced, even after the plot subtly establishes absurdity as a norm. This absolutely added an even deeper layer of charm and levity to the high-stakes drama.
What really sets this game apart is how well it balances everything. The humor never undermines the emotional beats, and the action sequences always feel captivating and dynamic. The interplay between Rhys and Fiona, the two main protagonists, is especially well done, with their contrasting personalities and evolving relationship driving much of the story.
For me, Tales easily lands in the upper echelon of Telltale’s catalog. Although I wouldn't put it in my personal top three, it is a VERY close fourth right behind Batman: TEW, TWD: Season 1, and The Wolf Among Us. Even if you don’t have any attachment to the Borderlands series and may not appreciate/understand some in-universe references as much (like myself), this is a game that stands on its own as a fun and engaging narrative experience.
Unfortunately lastly though, the worst part about the story is the fact that you're no longer able to compare your choices to those of the overall community at the end of each episode, as Telltale no longer the rights to the IP. This isn't the biggest deal in the world, but I was slightly disappointed upon this realization and thought it was worth mentioning.

Gameplay:

If you've played one Telltale game, you’ve essentially played them all, for better or for worse. This means dialogue choices, quick-time events (QTE's), and occasional minor exploration are all the core gameplay pillars. Obviously this isn't necessarily a bad thing for fans of Telltale games, and this formula works as well here as it does in other games by the studio, but anyone coming from the mainline Borderlands series might find this gameplay loop very jarring, since here as the focus is on storytelling and character interactions rather than traditional gameplay/gunplay depth.
What really makes Tales stand out, gameplay wise, is its dual-protagonist setup, which ties directly into the narrative pacing. You spend equal time as Rhys, the ambitious Hyperion company man, and Fiona, the resourceful con artist. This split perspective allows you to experience Pandora from two very different viewpoints, making you really feel the depth of the Borderlands universe. The balance feels just right, as the shifts between characters keep the story engaging without overstaying its welcome on either side.
However, the most unique gameplay elements are tied to each character’s "special ability." Fiona can collect (or more accurately, steal) money during certain moments, which at times can be used for small but satisfying purchases if you've saved up. Rhys, on the other hand, has access to his Echo Eye, a gadget that lets him scan objects in the environment for information. This latter feature becomes even more entertaining once Handsome Jack gains control of Rhys’s Echo Eye, turning it into the hilariously self-absorbed "Jackopedia," complete with witty, lore-filled descriptions of scanned items. These abilities add a layer of welcomed interactivity to an otherwise streamlined gameplay experience.

World:

The world and level design strikes a fine balance between Telltale's signature linearity and the rich, chaotic aesthetic of Borderlands. Just like the gameplay, Tales also adheres to the standard Telltale formula with the level design, with tightly controlled environments and limited exploration, but it uses this structure to its advantage. Each environment feels appropriate for the plot's progression, adding depth to the characters' journey while remaining visually and thematically distinct. This ensures that you are consistently engaged, even within the constraints of its linear framework, and I feel like this boost the already immersive atmosphere even higher.
The creative backdrops, thoughtful level transitions, and previously mention great pacing ensures that no area drags on, offering a nice parallel that mirrors the game’s dynamic storytelling.

Visuals:

The visuals/graphics are a brilliant fusion of Telltale Games' signature style and that of the Borderlands universe. From the moment you launch the game, it’s clear that the visual synergy between these two worlds is nothing short of a match made in Heaven. Telltale's iconic comic book-inspired, cel-shaded art style feels like it was tailor-made for the chaotic and vibrant aesthetic of Pandora.
While Tales doesn’t reach the graphical fidelity of some of Telltale's later titles, like TWD: Season 4, it still holds its own. The environments are colorful and varied, seamlessly blending the gritty, lived-in feel of Borderlands with Telltale’s expressive visuals. Basically, the slightly lower level of visual polish is more than compensated for by the game's charm, personality, and its commitment to creating an enticing experience.

Music/Sound Design:

The music and sound design in Tales is both a shining star and an Achilles' heel. What I mean by this is: the soundtrack is phenomenal, perfectly capturing the offbeat charm and high-stakes drama of the narrative provided. Each track enhances the narrative and action, making key moments feel more impactful and emotionally charged. The voice acting is another standout feature, bringing the characters to life with performances that are immersive, engaging, and genuinely entertaining. Add to this a suite of powerful sound effects that ground you in this quirky, chaotic world, and you’ve got an audio landscape that SHOULD excel at drawing anyone into the game.
However, despite these strengths, I found the overall quality of the audio to be less than ideal. While the music and vocal performances are fantastic, the audio itself lacks the crispness and polish one might expect from more modern titles. There’s a slightly muddled quality to the sound mix that diminishes the experience, making it feel a bit dated. While you do grow accustomed to it fairly quickly, It was noticeable upon launch of each play session, and I couldn’t help but feel that the game would have benefited greatly from a more refined audio presentation.

TL;DR:

I think for anyone who is already a fan of Telltale-style games, picking up Tales from the Borderlands is a no-brainer, as while the general gameplay loop is the same, aside from a couple unique character-specific mechanics, the narrative is one of the best the studio has done. On the other hand, for people who are only really fans of BL or haven't played a Telltale game before, I still think the narrative is worth playing and experiencing not only because it's great, but because it is also canon. However, I can very clearly see how the gameplay could certainly be jarring or even "boring" for anyone simply looking for more high-octane Borderlands gameplay. It really comes down to preference!

just play this game twice if you want, sequel is bad

This ♥♥♥♥ is so ass.