Why Borderlands 4 Might Want to Give Its Most Iconic Enemies a Rest

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Why Borderlands 4 Might Want to Give Its Most Iconic Enemies a Rest

Key Takeaways

  • Borderlands 4 is officially confirmed after a 5-year wait, currently set for a 2025 release.
  • The latest trailer suggests an apocalyptic story and setting with a potential new enemy type.
  • Gearbox may consider retiring bandits in BL4 in favor of a new and more dangerous collection of standard foes.

As a dedicated Borderlands fan with hundreds of hours invested in the series, I can confidently say that the announcement of Borderlands 4 has sent my excitement levels through the roof! After five long years, we finally have a concrete confirmation and a tantalizing glimpse into what’s to come.

After a five-year wait since the last mainline game, it’s officially confirmed that Borderlands 4 is coming from Gearbox Software. Despite some criticism following the movie adaptation earlier this year, the announcement of Borderlands 4 has given fans of the beloved looter-shooter series something positive to look forward to, and speculation is rife about where the upcoming game might take the franchise.

During Gamescom, the initial trailer for what seems to be _Borderlands 4_ featured an apocalyptic scene, where a mysterious dimensional rift encircled a planet while it was bombarded by meteors. Although we’re unsure if this could represent Pandora, Promethea, Elpis’ moon or another location, it definitely left an impact and hinted at the direction of the upcoming game. As _Borderlands_ prepares to grow, one aspect from its past that it might want to change is its emphasis on psychos and bandits as primary adversaries. Instead, a new kind of main foe could be introduced in future installments.

In terms of its planned launch, Borderlands 4 is tentatively scheduled for the year 2025; however, an exact release window or specific date hasn’t been disclosed as of now.

Why It May Be Time for Borderlands 4 to Put Bandits in the Backseat

Borderlands’ Bandits Have Been its Mainstay Mobs

Initially, the bandits in the game “Borderlands” were its primary type of enemy, known for their exaggerated behavior and distinctive style that perfectly embodied the universe’s lore and atmosphere. It was natural for the Vault Hunter characters to encounter endless hordes of psychos/bandits, serving as the usual enemies for a significant part of each game release. Yet, despite their prevalence and significant role, there were instances when the games provided a refreshing change of pace. For instance, in “Borderlands 2”, the Hyperion loader robots were given prominence, offering a diverse array of enemies and altering the way players engaged in combat.

In Borderlands 3, the bandit gang returned in force under the control of the Calypso Twins and their united faction, the COV. This plot point was logical but could have leaned too heavily on the same enemy type throughout the gameplay. Despite their iconic status within the series, if Gearbox wants to take Borderlands into a fresh era by significantly improving upon its predecessor, it might consider reducing the prominence of bandits in the upcoming fourth installment.

Borderlands 4 Should Mark the Rise of a New Threat Beyond Bandits

How Borderlands 4 Could Move on From Bandits as Standard Enemies

Although specifics about the antagonist in Borderlands 4 are currently unclear, Gearbox has hinted that its villain will be more threatening and malicious than Handsome Jack. A mysterious robotic hand, which appears to retrieve a Psycho mask from a smoldering crater in the trailer, could offer clues about what’s ahead. This may suggest an adversary similar to the Eridians or Guardians, potentially even an entire army of them. While players have encountered such foes before, they usually don’t appear until later stages of the game. Therefore, Borderlands 4 might be hinting at a new non-bandit faction that players will encounter early on in the game.

In the upcoming Borderlands 4, it’s not likely that we won’t encounter bandits at all given their role in the universe. However, they could be portrayed differently. A possible scenario could be that this new threat, which appears otherworldly, surpasses the everyday danger posed by ordinary bandits. This setup might surprise fans even more if it necessitates the Vault Hunters to join forces with their former adversaries, bandits. Together, they would fight a greater existential threat. In light of this and any other significant changes in story and gameplay that Borderlands 4 may introduce, it seems that Gearbox might be planning to phase out bandits as the primary enemies in the next installment.

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2024-10-05 16:04