New Tales from the Borderlands is a single-player narrative adventure game set in the Borderlands universe. Players guide three protagonists through a five-part story filled with choices that shape the outcome on the planet Promethea. The game blends exploration, quick-time events, and decision-making in an action-adventure framework that emphasizes humor and character interactions over combat.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on controlling Anu, Octavio, and Fran as they navigate environments in Promethea. Anu uses high-tech glasses to scan objects and gather information. Octavio browses social media and hacks devices to access new paths or details. Fran employs her hoverchair to freeze threats during encounters. Exploration involves moving through scenes, interacting with objects, and triggering quick-time events that resolve confrontations or mini-games. Narrative choices appear frequently during conversations and key moments, altering relationships, story branches, and endings. A collectible system features Vaultlanders, small figurines that players battle in quick-time sequences where attacks and dodges determine the winner and add to the collection. The experience runs entirely in single-player mode with no online components.
Game Modes
The game offers one primary mode: a complete single-player campaign divided into five episodes released together at launch. Players advance the story through the three characters' perspectives, making decisions that influence multiple possible conclusions. After finishing the campaign, the structure supports replays of the full story or individual chapters to explore alternate choices and outcomes. No separate multiplayer modes, competitive elements, or additional game types exist beyond this choice-driven narrative experience.
Story and Characters
The plot follows three unlikely allies on their worst day in the war-torn city of Promethea, roughly one year after prior events in the series. Altruistic scientist Anu seeks a better future beyond weapons manufacturing. Her brother Octavio chases fame and fortune through street smarts and ambition. Fran pursues revenge with a fierce attitude and practical skills. Together they confront corporate forces, criminals, and strange creatures while pursuing a Vault that could change everything. Humor arises from dialogue, situations, and the trio's contrasting personalities as they con and claw their way forward. The narrative stands alone without requiring prior knowledge of earlier titles.
Platform Details on Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch version delivers the full single-player experience in TV, tabletop, and handheld modes. The digital download requires significant storage space, and a microSD card with ample free room supports installation. Supported languages include English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese. The game runs as a standalone title with controller compatibility for the Pro Controller. Release occurred in October 2022 with the complete story available from day one.
Is It Worth Playing?
Reception has been mixed, with praise for the writing, voice performances, and memorable characters alongside criticism of pacing and limited mechanical variety. The game suits players who prefer story-focused adventures centered on dialogue choices and light interaction rather than intense action or long campaigns. Those drawn to the Borderlands setting for its humor and underdog tales will find the most value here. The single-player structure and replay options encourage multiple playthroughs for different endings. Current support remains limited to the original release with no ongoing seasons or major updates confirmed. It appeals most to fans of narrative-driven games who enjoy experimenting with decisions in a self-contained package.