‘Battleborn’ Developers Announce Story Mode’s Hardcore Option, System Specs For PC

When Battleborn releases on May 3, players will find 25 heroes to play or unlock, a full-length repeatable story mode, and three fast-paced competitive modes. That release date is approaching fast with an open beta scheduled to occur beforehand, giving players a chance to try out the first person shooter for themselves before it releases.

With the impending open beta and the release of Battleborn in mind, the team behind the game decided to detail the game’s various modes and their flexibility on the publisher’s website. Over on the 2k Games Blog, players can find out more about the repeatable Story Mode and all three competitive modes in addition to viewing the game’s official PC system specifications. Not to mention, the game’s three progression systems are also overviewed with a little more depth than previous previews.

Players looking forward to the Story Mode in Battleborn will notice one important announcement in the details overview. Apparently, the Story Mode will also include a Hardcore Mode option for players seeking an extra challenge. More loot, new unlockable content, and an all-around tougher experience await those who wish to try Hardcore mode. Co-operative players should also note that while playing in co-op sessions, everyone gets to vote on which mission to complete next, and players do not always have to have unlocked the new missions to play with their friends.

On the competitive side of things, players will find that each of the game’s three competitive modes will be featured on two different maps each. Players will be joined up with others of equal skill within the game’s Incursion, Capture, and Meltdown competitive modes. Although players cannot earn credits or loot during them, Private Matches will also be supported for teams as small as one player up to the normal team size of five.

Players will work to save the last star in Battleborn by mastering 25 heroes at launch with five more coming soon thereafter. Each hero can be leveled to 10 during a match unlocking important Helix upgrades. Playing a hero in the co-operative or competitive modes will level up the character permanently through 15 individual character levels. These levels unlock new Helix augments, skins, titles, and more. There is even an account Command Rank that goes all the way to level 100 that offers new titles, characters, gear options, and more. Players will get a chance to test these progression systems when the Battleborn open beta launches.

Open beta for Battleborn is coming up soon, too. Players on PlayStation 4 will have access to the open beta starting on April 8 while PC and Xbox One players can start playing on April 13. Two Story Mode missions and two competitive modes will be available during the open beta. PlayStation 4 players will not need PlayStation Plus to participate in the beta; however, Xbox One players will need Xbox Live Gold to access online features. The Battleborn open beta will conclude on April 18 across all platforms. Be sure to check out all the details on the open beta, including pre-load dates and download sizes, on the official site.

Answers to your #Battleborn Open Beta questions ? https://t.co/VHz678T9ca pic.twitter.com/f3uvNkCNaS

— Battleborn (@Battleborn) March 30, 2016

As the Inquisitr reported, Battleborn has gone gold and the team is now focusing on how to expand the title post release. Five Battleborn packs are planned as DLC that will each include one Story Operation as well as skins and taunts. These five packs are $5 each or all five can be picked up as part of the game’s season pass at $20. PlayStation 4 players that participate in the open beta will receive the first DLC pack for free. No maps, playable heroes, or modes will be behind a paywall for Battleborn. Only cosmetics, convenience items, and optional story content will be purchasable after the game’s release.

[Image via Gearbox Software]