Summary
Borderlandsis a franchise that has always prioritized couch co-op and friendly multiplayer progression over a twitchy, competitive approach. It’s a game all about flicking through a barrage of exciting guns and moseying through an often entertaining story set within a constantly compelling world created bydeveloper Gearbox.
The second game was undoubtedly the series' highest point after a first outing that showed potential. However, though it made some improvements, the third game felt like a lateral step (or even a step-down when it comes to its narrative) overall. As gaming has become bigger, prettier, and more varied than ever,Borderlandshas to come out swinging with its fourth installment, making sure that it feels like a significant upgrade fromBorderlands 3.
Borderlands' Comedy Has To Evolve
While loot-based progression and endless customizability are the essential cornerstones ofBorderlands, they would amount to little without the franchise’s signature comedic tone. It’s what sets the Gearbox IP apart from the rest of the genre, with a narrative that never fails to see the bright side, even though the throughline of the tale has moments of genuine tension. It can be argued thatBorderlands 2was the series' peak in this regard thanks tothe introduction of Handsome Jack, a love-to-hate antagonist who had a flair for all things amusing.
Borderlands 3had the tough task of following on from the 2012 sequel, and while it tried to uphold the comedy that came before, it struggled to toe the line between funny and cringeworthy. It was undoubtedly a step back for the franchise, andBorderlands 4needs to use its predecessor as a catapult to recapture the magic of past entries. Another product akin to the third game would makeBorderlandsfeel stale, which would be a real shame as it used to be anything but. Finding a better balance between humor and serious moments is essential, as certain scenes need more time to breathe, while making sure a majority of the jokes actually land is also a necessity.
Borderlands 3’s cinematicsalso felt outdated even at the time of release, and cutscenes of a similar quality in Borderlands 4 would stand out even more. Given how beloved Borderlands' characters are, making sure that any cutscenes involving them are polished, logical, and interesting is a must.
Borderlands' Art Can’t Replace Graphical Prowess
The cel-shaded art style ofBorderlandsis one of the series' biggest strengths, and without it the franchise would be robbed of its identity. The colors and character models can be more distinctive when wrapped in an abstract design, but there is a balance to be struck to makeBorderlands 4feel in keeping with what is expected based on previous games, and the grappling of new expectations that come with powerful hardware. The PS5 and Xbox Series X versions ofBorderlands 3run at 4k60fps in resolution mode and 1080p 120fps in performance mode, which has to be the bare minimum for the fourth game, though pushing the envelope for more fidelity would makeBorderlands 4feel worthwhile. Lightning quick loading times are also a necessity, with more detailed areas, larger planets, and more technically demanding features also being a must.
Shooters Have Come a Long Way Since Borderlands' Best Days
When the originalBorderlandslaunched in 2009, it felt like a trailblazer in modern multiplayer first-person shooters. WhileHalois known for its arena-based battles and competitive combat,Borderlandsput players on the same side in a game with hundreds of guns to cycle through. Titles likeDestiny,Helldivers, and evenThe Divisionhave a lot to thank Gearbox for, but as time has passed,Borderlandshas, in some ways, become a victim of its own success. Those influenced by it have started to overtake it in quality, andBorderlands 3did little to keep the crown on Gearbox’s head. More replayable endgame content would help it keep up with games likeDestiny 2, as would regular content additions through a proper live service format, somethingBL3only dabbled with.
WhileBorderlands 4has been rumored for a while, it has recently beenconfirmed by Gearbox that it is in active development.
Borderlands 4has to find a way to bounce backand reassert itself as the go-to looter shooter. Staying the same asBorderlands 3isn’t a viable strategy, considering how stiff the competition is today.Borderlandshas enough unique features like its humor and distinctive art style, so making sure those areas deliver is a good first step. However, the next game will also need to improve in a number of ways to find success, from faster load times and menus to better cinematics to deeper post-launch support.
