Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel grows with its first DLC pack and a new, free difficulty

By Adam Rosenberg Published December 3, 2014

Get ready to loot and shoot some more, Borderlands fans, as 2K confirms the December 16 release of the Ultimate Vault Hunter Upgrade Pack: The Holodome Onslaught. This second downloadable content pack for the 2K Australia-developed Pre-Sequel has a few different pieces, and it’s also joined by a free update that adds an “Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode,” what amounts to a second New Game+ option for those that want an even stiffer challenge in a third playthrough of the game.

The meat of the DLC is The Holodome Onslaught, an arena challenge in which players square off against an assortment of baddies — run-of-the-mill grunts and names bosses/minibosses both, along with some total newcomers — across a series of battle waves. There is, of course, new gear to be had as well. The arena exists to re-tell the story of The Pre-Sequel, but in an abridged (and presumably comical) manner for the benefit of series favorites Axton and Gaige, who were off on a mission during the events of the game.

Related: Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel review

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The Holodome Onslaught pack also includes the Ultimate Vault Hunter Upgrade Pack, which raises the game’s level cap for each character up to 60, with all of the extra Skill Points those 10 new experience levels promise. That extra is also included as a freebie for those that purchased the game’s $30 Season Pass, which amounts to a discounted pre-order for all four of the planned DLC packs.

So let’s review really quick. For the cheapskate fans, there’s a free update coming that adds a third playthrough option to Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, called “Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode.” Those with a little bit of scratch to spend can grab the whole Holodome Onslaught bonanza — including the Ultimate Vault Hunter Upgrade Pack — on December 16 for $10. And finally, for the big spenders in the Borderlands scene, a $30 Season Pass gets you the free update, the UVHUP, the Holodome, the previously released Handsome Jack doppelganger DLC (which adds another playable character to the game), and two more add-ons, with details TBA.

Got all of that? Good. Now go farm for some sweet weapons while you wait.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Previously, Adam worked in the games press as a freelance writer and critic for a range of outlets, including Digital Trends…

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