Whether you're excited or dubious about Gearbox Software's Battleborn, this is the time to try out both the game's 5v5 multiplayer variants and 5-player story mode in the open beta which arrives in mid-April.
Starting on PS4 on April 8 at 10am PST, the open beta will run for ten days to April 18th at 7am PST. PC and Xbox One owners will be able to join the open beta five days after PS4 owners on April 13 at 10am PST. To make your open beta experience quick and easy, you can start pre-loading the Battleborn open beta on April 6: 5pm PST for PS4 (8.5GB download), 10am PST for PC (5GB), and 5pm PST for Xbox One (11GB). Both PS4 and Xbox One versions will have split-screen, a rarity nowadays that's very much appreciated.
The open beta will come with two full Story Mode episodes, including The Algorithm where you can unlock the rogue Magnus AI called ISIC, and Void's Edge where you'll need to traverse the ice-planet Bliss and close a Varelsi portal by destroying it with a bomb carried by a mech that your team will need to protect throughout the mission.
Having experienced Void's Edge myself at a private event in 2K's Novato studio, I can say that the final boss is quite difficult, as it can create a growing dome of dark energy that can envelop anyone trapped inside. Luckily, as the sniper of the group, I was able to destroy it from a comfortable distance and save my teammates.
On the competitive side, Battleborn's open beta will include Incursion on the Overgrowth map (my impressions can be found here) as well as Meltdown where your team must score more points than the other by sending minions to their doom. Don't feel too bad, though. It's not like their Companions Cubes or anything.
Throughout the open beta, you'll be able to test the roster of 25 heroes, the majority of which (specifically, 18) will need to be unlocked by earning experience throughout any of the game's modes.
You'll be able to access the open beta through PSN, Steam, and the Microsoft Store without any sign-up or code. It will also be available for all regions, so you can let this open beta act as a test for Battleborn's worldwide servers. Those on Xbox will need to have Xbox Live Gold to access the public modes for Story and Competitive modes, but those with only Xbox Live Silver can still take part in the private sections of both modes.
For the open beta, PS4 players will have exclusive access to Toby, the adorable penguin in the intimidating mech suit. (Don't call him cute!) On top of that, PS4 players who play the beta will get the character Alani instantly upon release and will receive the first Battleborn DLC Pack 1 for free.
As you might suspect, your progress in the open beta will not carry over to Battleborn's official retail release on May 3, 2016 for PC, Xbox One, and PS4.
