‘Borderlands: Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution’ Review

Nearly a year after the game was originally released, Gearbox Software is still supporting Borderlands with downloadable content. The latest Borderlands DLC, Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution, finds the Vault Hunters (or Hunter) on a mission from the weapon manufacturing Hyperion Corporation. The team is tasked with stopping a renegade Claptrap, who is a sort of humorous mix of Star Trek’s Borg and Terminator’s Skynet, from taking over the world of Pandora.

Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution follows the uprising of those plucky robots after the appearance of the CL4P-TP Interplanetary Ninja Assassin, who sparks the revolution. This new arrival to Pandora inspires his robot brethren to overtake the world and assimilate themselves into other robot-human hybrids.

Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution adds Tartarus Station and its surrounding areas to the game world. Here, players will continue to do the same things that have made Borderlands so popular for so long: shoot, loot, and level. There are new enemy types to encounter, including the aforementioned claptrap-human hybrids. The local wildlife also gets assimilated into the mix. Players who have an inhuman desire to destroy any Claptrap they encounter will certainly enjoy the time they spend with Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution.

A few recurring characters from previous Borderlands content releases appear in some surprising instances. Players wondering whether or not they can jump straight into this latest expansion without having beaten Borderlands are advised to go back and finish the original game first.

Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution does add a bit to the world’s makeup, especially because the titular robots are so prevalent (and blocking the way into the next area). Nine new missions and twelve side-quests are available for players to take their main (or alt, as the missions aren’t particularly hard) through. In addition, the game allows players to expand their backpack slots to carry even more loot, including some they might not even want to use.

As previously mentioned, old faces show up in the game, including that wacky scientist Patricia Tannis. Some new faces are also on hand to issue quests, and yes, there is Bounty Board. Also included in this expansion is the ability to fast-travel to the area, which was not an option in the game’s previous DLC releases.

Bottom line, for gamers who have played and enjoyed Borderlands before, own any of the previous content, or just love those adorable Claptrap robots, this is a definite buy. It’s available for download and is also included in the newly released Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition, which contains all of Borderland’s previously released DLC. Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution adds story and character to Borderlands, in contrast to the item bonanza that was The Secret Army of General Knoxx or the Arena-only battles that made up Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot.

Players with a hankering to get back into the dust of Pandora will find that Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution adds an extra layer, and definitely makes a return trip to the world of Borderlands worthwhile.

Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution is available now for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 for 800MS or $9.99, respectively.

Game Rant reviewed the Xbox 360 version of the game.