Battleborn

Battleborn is a 2016 hero-shooter blending FPS action with RTS and RPG elements. You select from numerous unique heroes to defend the last star, Solus, from the Varelsi menace across co-operative story missions or competitive multiplayer matches. A key feature is the in-match leveling system, allowing you to evolve your hero's abilities dynamically during combat. The game supports split-screen co-op on consoles.

This title is a next-generation hero shooter that blends elements of fast-paced action with strategic depth. Released in May 2016, it is available on PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), and Xbox One. The core experience combines the mechanics of a shooter with influences from Real-Time Strategy (RTS), Role-Playing Games (RPG), and Hack and Slash genres, offering a diverse gameplay foundation.

The Setting and Story Premise

The narrative unfolds in a distant science fiction fantasy future where nearly all stars in the universe have been extinguished by a relentless, vicious force known as the Varelsi. Only one solitary star, Solus, remains as a beacon of hope. In the wake of the chaos, various survivor species have taken refuge within the Solus system, organizing themselves into five distinct factions based on their ideologies. Heroes called Battleborn emerge from each faction and fight for what little resources are left in the system. Now, the Varelsi are threatening to finish what they’ve started, and only a united team of the universe’s most powerful heroes can stop them.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

The gameplay loop centers on selecting one of many unique heroes, each possessing distinct abilities and playstyles, and deploying them across various mission types. A significant feature is the in-mission progression system, where heroes level up during a match, unlocking and enhancing their skills through a branching path, similar to RPG mechanics. This allows for dynamic adaptation to the flow of combat.

What modes are available to play?

The game offers two primary avenues for engagement:

Co-operative Campaign: Players can team up with friends to progress through the story missions, working together to repel the Varelsi threat. Console versions support split-screen co-op across all game modes.

Competitive Multiplayer: Fast-paced player-versus-player matches pit teams against each other in objective-based scenarios, testing individual hero mastery and team coordination.

What makes this hero shooter unique?

This game distinguishes itself by integrating deep character customization within the match structure, allowing players to evolve their chosen hero on the fly. The blend of genres means that success often requires not just sharp shooting skills, but also strategic use of character abilities and objective control, drawing from RTS and RPG systems.

What additional content is available for the game?

As of the current date, the main game features one downloadable content (DLC) package available for players. There are no expansions or remasters currently released for this title.