Borderlands 4’s Didn’t Tease Handsome Jack, But His Presence Still Likely

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Borderlands 4's Didn't Tease Handsome Jack, But His Presence Still Likely

Key Takeaways

  • Borderlands 4’s trailer was unveiled during Gamescom 2024, and the next title is set for a 2025 release.
  • Borderlands 4 may aim to make up for BL3’s villains’ shortcomings with a darker and more dangerous antagonist, in the vein of Jack.
  • Gearbox clarified that Handsome Jack won’t be the main villain, but his influence is likely to be felt in BL4.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt and countless hours spent in the vibrant world of Pandora, I can confidently say that the revelation of Borderlands 4’s trailer has me buzzing like a Hyperion drone on steroids! The prospect of returning to the chaotic, gun-slinging world of Borderlands is an exhilarating one, especially with the promise of a darker and more dangerous antagonist.

Lately, the game series Borderlands has experienced some ups and downs. Since the release of the last major installment five years ago, fans have eagerly anticipated news about the fourth game. Earlier this year, what was believed to be a sneak peek at the next game turned out to be a movie adaptation instead, which received poor reviews from both critics and audiences upon its August theater release. However, just recently, developer Gearbox unexpectedly premiered the official trailer for Borderlands 4 during Gamescom 2024

Following the release of the trailer for Borderlands 4, fans speculated that the series’ infamous antagonist, Handsome Jack, might make a comeback. The brief glimpse of a menacing figure at the end of the footage fueled this theory. However, Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox, quickly dismissed the idea that Handsome Jack would be returning as the main villain. Despite this clarification, given Jack’s significant impact on Borderlands and his popularity among fans, there’s a strong possibility that he may reappear in some capacity in the upcoming game

Borderlands 4
is currently set for a 2025 release, though no firm date is yet attached.

Handsome Jack Might Not be Borderlands 4’s Main Villain, But His Presence Will Probably Still be Felt

Borderlands 4 Seems to be Promising To Make Up For the Shortcomings of BL3’s Villains

Since Handsome Jack became one of gaming’s most iconic villains in Borderlands 2, the series has faced challenges in recreating his influence and appeal. In Borderlands 3, the Calypso Twins were introduced with a comedic twist to their villainy. However, their blend of humor and genuine threat towards the protagonists didn’t always resonate effectively, sometimes coming off as unnatural or contrived – something that Jack never quite managed. Gearbox’s Randy Pitchford hinted that the antagonist in Borderlands 4 will allegedly be “far more menacing and malevolent” than Handsome Jack, which has sparked curiosity about how they plan to achieve such a feat

How Handsome Jack Could Appear in Borderlands 4

Among the ongoing storylines within Borderlands, there are some potential routes for the writers to explore in order to clarify Handsome Jack’s return. One intriguing possibility that stands out is Timothy Lawrence, Jack’s former body double and semi-clone. After receiving Jack’s DNA and undergoing surgery to resemble him, Timothy was last seen in the Handsome Jackpot DLC, with his fate left undecided at the end of the quest. It seems likely that he is still roaming the galaxy and grappling with Jack’s influence on him. Perhaps, in a future storyline, we might encounter Timothy once more, and the new group of Vault Hunters may mistake him for Jack, needing to assist him in overcoming this confusion

As a dedicated fan, I’ve been pondering over the possibility that the new villain might have found inspiration in Handsome Jack’s actions. He seems to admire Jack as a role model and aims to follow in his footsteps, taking Jack’s ruthlessness a step further. To weave this connection into the story without bringing Jack back somehow, they could incorporate cameos or flashback sequences featuring Jack. This way, Jack’s presence would be felt in the plot, tying him to the new villain through a shared thematic thread

Instead of directly featuring Handsome Jack in Borderlands 4, references to him might take a roundabout approach through a new set of ECHO logs that offer additional insights into his legacy and past, similar to the ones detailing his childhood. As per the usual series pattern, downloadable content (DLC) is also expected for Borderlands 4, which could provide another opportunity to include him without dominating the main campaign. Given the immense impact Handsome Jack has had on the series, and considering that Borderlands 4 seems to be taking a darker approach with its antagonist, it’s highly likely that he will at least be mentioned in some way, which is certain to delight many fans

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2024-09-04 22:08