Summary
Borderlands 4is one of the most anticipated games that has yet to be officially confirmed by Gearbox, although a recent report leaked its existence as a work-in-progress title. It’s not surprising thatBorderlands 3would eventually get a sequel, especially since Randy Pitchford himself stated that the studio was indeed “working on the next big one,” which could only beBorderlands 4. The sameleaks forBorderlands 4also indicate that Gearbox might be working onTiny Tina’s Wonderlands 2, and with a lot on the company’s plate, including the possibility that Embracer Group might sell Gearbox,BL4needs to deliver. The main issue is that its villain is in a no-win situation, and that’s concerning for various reasons.
TheBorderlandsseries has had a complicated history with its villains, as the first game’s big bad was mostly disappointing and forgettable, whereasBL2’s Handsome Jackstill sits atop many lists of the best evil characters in video games. Handsome Jack was not just evil, but a very complex human character whose humor made him endearing and simultaneously the perfect video game taunt, making players want to thwart his plans at any turn. As much as Handsome Jack was and still is revered,Borderlands 3’s villains fell short - and nowBL4is in a rough spot.
RELATED:The Leaked Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Sequel Shouldn’t be ‘Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands 2’
Recent Leaks Indicate Borderlands 4 is in The Works, And Its Villain Needs Help
How Borderlands Games Made it Hard for BL4’s Villain to Succeed
In truth, theBorderlands 3Calypso Twins vs. Handsome Jack debatewas never going to let the former win, both because Jack is such an iconic baddie and because Troy and Tyreen couldn’t possibly top him in any way. It’s something Gearbox itself knows, as the studio has brought Handsome Jack back one time too many, with him appearing in every big game since, including the spin-offTales From the Borderlands. The Calypso Twins weren’t all bad, but the legacy of Handsome Jack was just too strong for them to stand out, something that the entireBorderlands 3story can feel like when compared toBL2’s.
What follows is thatBorderlands 4needs to go big or go home with its villain (or villains), and not only top the Calypso Twins, but also try and take a jab at Handsome Jack’s overwhelming presence in the series. Although Gearbox may have dugBorderlands 4’s grave on its own by featuring Handsome Jack in every game before it, the game’s big bad has the perfect blueprint to succeed, and that’s making them deeply flawed, annoying and yet funny, and menacing enough to up the stakes of the story.
How Borderlands 4’s Villain Can Succeed Against All Odds
This is easier said than done, but it’s exactly what Handsome Jack brought to the table, and it’s why he is such a compelling villain. With the wayBorderlands 3’s boss battlestied some ends with recurring or returning characters, such as with Aurelia Hammerlock,Borderlands 4can’t really pull old enemies and give them enough screen time and narrative relevance to surpass Jack. A good out would be to make a pastBorderlandsVault Hunter, possibly a beloved one, intoBL4’s own villain.
The reason why something like this could work is that as much as Jack has been present in every game since his introduction, some olderBorderlandsVault Huntershave had their fair share of screen time and presence in the series as well. Characters like Mordecai or Brick could pull at the emotional strings of long-time players if they became villains, for example, and the same could hold true for Lilith if she somehow came back afterBorderlands 3’s ending. Something similar could happen with other characters as well, such as Tannis, Sir Hammerlock, or even Moxxi - but the character’s motives would need to be believable above all else.
Borderlands 3
WHERE TO PLAY
The original shooter-looter returns, packing bazillions of guns and an all-new mayhem-fueled adventure! Blast through new worlds and enemies as one of four brand new Vault Hunters – the ultimate treasure-seeking badasses of the Borderlands, each with deep skill trees, abilities, and customization. Play solo or join with friends to take on insane enemies, score loads of loot and save your home from the most ruthless cult leaders in the galaxy.A MAYHEM-FUELED THRILL RIDEStop the fanatical Calypso Twins from uniting the bandit clans and claiming the galaxy’s ultimate power. Only you, a thrill-seeking Vault Hunter, have the arsenal and allies to take them down.YOUR VAULT HUNTER, YOUR PLAYSTYLEBecome one of four extraordinary Vault Hunters, each with unique abilities, playstyles, deep skill trees, and tons of personalization options. All Vault Hunters are capable of awesome mayhem alone, but together they are unstoppable.LOCK, LOAD, AND LOOTWith bazillions of guns and gadgets, every fight is an opportunity to score new gear. Firearms with self-propelling bullet shields? Check. Rifles that spawn fire-spewing volcanoes? Obviously. Guns that grow legs and chase down enemies while hurling verbal insults? Yeah, got that too.NEW BORDERLANDSDiscover new worlds beyond Pandora, each featuring unique environments to explore and enemies to destroy. Tear through hostile deserts, battle your way across war-torn cityscapes, navigate deadly bayous, and more! QUICK & SEAMLESS CO-OP ACTIONPlay with anyone at any time online or in split-screen co-op, regardless of your level or mission progress. Take down enemies and challenges as a team, but reap rewards that are yours alone – no one misses out on loot.
