The inspiration for this post is the last week I spent playing Borderlands 2 for the first time. I played Borderlands a looong time ago and the PreSequel last year, but this is the first time I've experienced the best of the bunch. Now I have cogent opinions on the wide world of shared world shooters (that aren't pay-to-win like Warframe):
[u]Loot[/u]
Borderland 2 has lots of [i]crazy [/i]loot that quickly becomes obsolete.
Destiny has hardly any loot but it takes a long time to become obsolete.
The Division has lots of loot that becomes obsolete and the loot doesn't matter much even when its relevant.
[u]Look and Feel[/u]
Borderland 2 looks dated and cartoony. Plays pretty well for a 1st person shooter.
Destiny looks great and feels like a true 1st person shooter.
The Division looks great but feels a little funny as a 3rd person shooter.
[u]Story[/u]
Borderland 2's story is funny and sad and also darkly funny.
Destiny's [i]in-game[/i] story is a disaster. At least Bungie knows.
The Division has a decent if depressing story with a good amount of in-game content.
[u]Content[/u]
Borderland 2 as part of the Handsome collection is absolutely ginormous! The True Vault Hunter mode is a nice New Game +.
Destiny has a good amount of content now, but most of the strikes, raids, and story missions are obsolete. Only two game modes, King's Fall and Trials of Osiris, are relevant to high level players.
The Division has a good amount of content and more on the way. We'll see how much longevity players get out of it.
[u]Social[/u]
Borderland 2's main menu shows me who else is playing and who I can join. Public joining also works great.
Destiny's roster screen is OK, I guess. The 3 man fireteam is a big constraint.
The Division could have done a better job with the u.i. for joining friends. Matchmaking is super easy.
[u]Competitive Multiplayer[/u]
Borderland 2 has some kind of player dueling. Does anyone ever do that?
Destiny has Crucible. It may be a peer hosted, unbalanced shit show, but it's true competitive multiplayer.
The Division has the Dark Zone, a kind of anti-social social space where players can kill each other.
[u]Bullshit Factor[/u]
Borderlands 2 has a lot of running from one end of the map to the other. I miss my sparrow.
Destiny bullshit is so deep I don't know where to start digging. Double RNG. Infusion. High level gear only from raids, Trials. Etc.
The Division's Dark Zone seems like bull shit, except killing; the dude who tried to steal your loot is fun. The grenade throw is also total 100% bullshit.
[u]Conclusion[/u]
I don't have time to play all three of these games. They are all huge time sucks.