Borderlands 4 is Already Departing From BL3 in One Key Area

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Summary

  • Borderlands 4 will tone down its use of toilet humor for a darker, more serious take.
  • Many fans felt BL3 relied too heavily on crude humor that detracted from the story and character development.
  • BL4 aims for a more mature and meaningful experience with its new antagonists and ongoing tale.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can say that the news about Borderlands 4 taking a more mature and serious approach is both exciting and relieving. Don’t get me wrong; I love a good laugh as much as the next guy, but there comes a time when even the most hardcore fans want to see their beloved franchises grow and evolve.

Fans have been eagerly waiting for around five years to hear some news about Borderlands 4, and this year they’ve finally gotten some updates. At Gamescom, Gearbox Software first hinted at the game in a teaser, but it was at the 2024 Game Awards that they revealed a longer, more substantial gameplay trailer for Borderlands 4. The newest footage gives us a glimpse of what we can expect from the next chapter in the Vault Hunters’ story following the major events of the previous game. Fans are now eager to see how Borderlands 4 will progress and develop both its characters and established format, with many speculating about where it will go next.

The series is renowned for its frequently juvenile sense of humor, which often involves vulgar jokes and crude comedy. Despite exploring deep themes and creating emotionally resonant arcs in each title, there was a recurring tone of more mature humor throughout. However, it seems that the narrative director of Borderlands 4, Sam Winkler, has hinted on social media that Borderlands 4 may be reducing this element. In particular, Winkler expressed reservations about the excessive toilet humor in Borderlands 3, stating that Borderlands 4 won’t lean into such comedy as heavily as before.

Borderlands 4 Will Drop Some of the Series’ ‘Toilet Humor’ in Favor of More Darker Overtones

Borderlands’ Humor Usually Skewed Towards the Juvenile

Right from the start, the Borderlands series has been known for its irreverent humor, which was often coarse and humorous. This humor fit well with the game’s offbeat world and eccentric characters in the earlier installments. However, as time passed, it seemed like the franchise overly relied on this type of humor instead of developing more profound satire. This trend seemed to reach its peak in Borderlands 3, particularly with the Calypso Twins, who were essentially caricatures of streaming culture. Many of their actions and dialogues were based on current trends that quickly became outdated and lost their relevance, significantly reducing their impact and memorability.

In essence, many fans felt that some jokes and humor in the game Borderlands 3 didn’t quite hit their mark, appearing too simplistic or relying on easy targets. These moments sometimes overshadowed more profound story elements emphasizing deeper character interactions and growth. The fact that Gearbox is aware of this feedback and plans to improve it for Borderlands 4 suggests a commitment to evolving their approach rather than repeating the same style.

Borderlands 4’s Setup and Story Seem to Demand a More Subtle and Serious Brand of Comedy

In his comments, Winkler acknowledged that while Borderlands 4 won’t completely lack the humor characteristic of the franchise, it will not rely on it as heavily as before, particularly compared to BL3. Previously, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford mentioned that the fourth installment would adopt a darker tone, with a more menacing villain for Borderlands 4, potentially outdoing the iconic Handsome Jack. This change in direction and focus seems to require a move away from some of the “toilet humor” to create an experience consistent with this new vision.

Pitchford also hinted that fans will see some familiar figures returning in Borderlands 4 .

In the confirmation that The Timekeeper will be a significant adversary in Borderlands 4, it appears the upcoming narrative and battles may demand a more mature approach, even adjusting the comic relief. To cater to this shift, Borderlands 4 intends to diminish its reliance on crude humor, while ensuring there will still be instances that resonate with its traditional comedic style.

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2024-12-18 21:33