Tales From the Borderlands is a five-part episodic adventure series based on the universe of the Borderlands first-person shooter titles. The game is set in the world of Pandora, where advanced alien technology is stored in vaults. It draws the attention of hunters who travel there to raid the vaults and acquire the technology.
The game follows Rhys and Fiona as they try to find each other after being captured by a man interested in the Gortys project. The story is told through flashbacks, alternating between Rhys and Fiona, to explain how they got up to that point. Along the way, they become involved with bandits and other characters who have their own agendas.
The gameplay is largely cinematic, with an emphasis on storytelling and dialogue options. The player can influence the story through choices made at certain points, but time limits apply, and if the player doesn't respond quickly enough, the character will choose a default option. Choices do carry over to affect the story and relationships with other characters.
The game features a cel-shaded visual style similar to Borderlands , with short quick-time events for fights and some other actions where prompts need to be followed. There are also minor puzzle-solving elements, such as collecting money hidden in the environment. The player must adapt quickly between Rhys' and Fiona's mindsets as they pursue their own interests.
Tales From the Borderlands is available for free on Xbox One, with the remaining four episodes available for purchase separately or as episode packs on the same platform.