Borderlands: Perfect Game or Hollow Shell?

Borderlands. This baby's being designed just for me. Remember that one time, way back in the day, when I said every shooter should borrow elements from role-playing games? I think Gearbox Software is very, very aware of that simple truth. They've more than got their feet wet in the FPS genre with the Brothers in Arms series and they've even developed alongside some of the masters: Valve, Bungie, and Ubisoft. It looks like they're finally prepared to dive into the deep end---on their own---and make something unique.

Not exactly your everyday shooter.

It's hard to find anything wrong with Borderlands from the videos, screenshots, and previews I've come across. Accordingly, there's a whole lot that this game seems to get right:

• Over-the-top violence, cel-shaded art style, and very eccentric personality (which separates it from the legion of Doom, Halo, Counter-Strike, etc. clones)
• Item quality system borrowed from World of Warcraft
• Weapon randomization shamelessly yet lovingly ripped from Diablo II
• Co-op gameplay for up to 4 people
• Motivation in the form of a simple yet effective quest system
• Classes. Wouldn't be a RPFPS without classes, now would it?

Only one thing worries me. My journalistic hero, Brian Crecente, recently playtested the game and ultimately called it "exhilirating (sic) but oddly hollow," suggesting that 1) he is still the King of Typos and 2) Borderlands may not quite turn out to be the mighty heavenly gift I think it is.

Only time will tell, but I'm putting my faith in Gearbox. I think they can pull it off. Here's to hoping October 20 will be a day full of joy rather than disappointment.