Summary
Borderlandsis a series that prioritizes the thrill of combat and the lure of loot-based progression, and it has built a sturdy reputation of being a tremendously fun co-operative experience. The first game was improved upon by the 2012 sequel, and though the third mainline game took a few steps back, it still adhered to the overall philosophy of its predecessors.Borderlandsis not a property that’s afraid to mix it up a little, though, withBorderlands: The Pre Sequeldoing well to flesh outbeloved villain, Handsome Jack. However, the biggest deviation in the franchise was easily 2014’sTales from the Borderlands.
Developed by Telltale Games before it collapsed (and later returned),Tales from the Borderlandsputs the emphasis on characters, world-building, and storytelling, three things that feel like an afterthought in the main first-person shooter series. There are returning personalities and a handful of new ones, and the fresh faces are likable from the get-go, quickly and firmly cementing themselves inBorderlandslore. The recent news that Titan Books is set to publish a novel that is centered around Sasha and Fiona is an exciting development, reintroducing two fan-favorite characters. However, all is not perfect, as the announcement of a book has some worried that the pair’s adventures in gaming are over.
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Sasha and Fiona Get a New Chapter
WithNew Tales from the Borderlandsopting to focus on different characters, this time with a story tied to weapons manufacturer, Tediore, there was little hope that the cast of the first game would ever get any more substantial storylines.Rhys gets his time to shine inBorderlands 3, but there was a lot of potential to do more with the other people that inhabitedTales from the Borderlands. With the announcement of a novel following Fiona and sister Sasha, it’s good to see that more is on the way for the first game’s cast.
The pair is perfect for a book, as their transient nature due toFiona’s life of crime and their humble beginnings on Pandorameans that they could fall into all manner of interesting situations. They are personalities that have had a compelling start to life, and an epic adventure that took place inTales from the Borderlands, but knowing that a novel will further capitalize on their potential has to be welcome news for fans. After all, it’s a lot better than nothing, and the project provides albeit an outside chance - of a gaming return in the future. If the book succeeds, or if it sets up its two leads for more adventures, perhaps Fiona and Sasha could show up inBorderlands 4.
Borderlands in Novel Form is Risky Territory
However, there’s no denying that the book platform is going to be a disappointment to some gaming fans. Pandora is a place that is immersive in large part because it can be seen on screen, and though novelization has been a viable way of telling stories for centuries,Borderlandshas proven to work as a game. Also, having a book continueSasha and Fiona’s storycreates a disconnect between mediums, meaning gamers may not even be aware of the novel and its contents, as it’s a different sphere entirely. The narrative may be strong, but when it lacks accessibility to people who would find enjoyment in it, there’s the risk of it fading into insignificance quickly.
New Tales from the Borderlandswas criticized for its lack of lovable characters and overall uninspired cast, so Fiona and Sasha heading up their own game could have rectified the issue. Instead, more story-centric games in theBorderlandsfranchise now seems unlikely, as a film is on the way and the loot-focused games are more successful. It would have made more sense to tellNew Tales from the Borderlands' story in book form since it’s based on something largely new, and have Fiona lead the 2022 project. While it’s good to see that the sisters' adventures aren’t over, continuing them in a novel is a bold, and potentially risky, choice.
Tales from the Borderlandsis available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
