Borderlands 4 Appears to Pull the Trigger on the Franchise’s Chekov’s Gun

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As a dedicated fan who has spent countless hours looting and shooting my way through Pandora, I can confidently say that the reveal of Borderlands 4 has me utterly thrilled. The teaser at the Game Awards 2024 was a masterclass in hype-building, promising a story that could potentially surpass even the glory days of Borderlands 2.

At the Game Awards 2024, Borderlands 4 created quite an impact with its fresh trailer unveiling. The initial sneak peek into the upcoming chapter of the top-tier looter shooter franchise offered a variety of intriguing aspects: introductions to the new vault hunters in Borderlands 4, updates on beloved characters from previous games, and, as always, an abundance of new weapons. However, what stood out most was the glimpse into some of the narrative elements of the fourth game, such as the first appearance of the next antagonist aiming to seize control over Pandora.

In the game Borderlands 3, some critics felt the narrative was a minor setback for the title. Many fans pointed out that the Calypso Twins didn’t compare favorably to their charming predecessor, which is why they believed the third installment didn’t reach the same heights as its predecessors. However, a noteworthy scene in the trailer suggests that Borderlands 4 could elevate the series by tackling one of the most enigmatic unresolved plot points from an undervalued game in the franchise.

Borderlands 4 Seems to Finally Deliver on the Watcher’s ‘Vault Hunter War’

A Plot Thread Ten Years in the Making

Though it’s sometimes overlooked, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel might have set up the plot for Borderlands 4 a full decade ago, back in 2014. That game ends with the Watcher, an enigmatic alien entity making itself known on Sanctuary before ominously warning the characters of an impending war that would require all the Vault Hunters they could get. The subsequent Holodome DLC revealed that Axton and Gaige had been off-world looking to recruit Aurelia, but after that the “war” became something of an afterthought.

In a shift from its previous focus, Borderlands 3 primarily concentrates on the Calypsos and the Children of the Vault Cult, rather than pursuing a certain plot thread. However, hints in the upcoming title, Borderlands 4, suggest that Gearbox might be revisiting the prophesied war of the Watcher. The teaser trailer for Borderlands 4 showcases an overwhelming number of enemies charging towards battle, with the game’s four new Vault Hunters positioned to halt their advance.

The new villain in Borderlands 4, the Timekeeper, appears to be more war-like than any previous character in the series, hinting at a possible fulfillment of the Pre-Sequel’s promise from Gearbox. As of now, the Timekeeper remains somewhat of a mystery, with their true motivations yet to be revealed. However, it seems they are prepared to mobilize an army to advance their objectives.

As Exciting as the Vault Hunter War Is, It’s Good the Series Gets to Move on To New Stories

In the game “The Pre-Sequel,” The Watcher was a cryptic figure who made only two appearances throughout the game’s storyline. Few details about it are known, but it is confirmed that The Watcher is of Eridian origin. This conflict, and possibly even the Timekeeper, could potentially stem from the most enigmatic faction in the “Borderlands” series. This theory would certainly account for The Watcher’s early awareness of the impending peril. It’s plausible that this war is a resurgence of Eridian influence in the galaxy, as many fans who have followed the series suspect that not all Eridians are extinct.

Regardless of the specifics of the conflict in Borderlands 4, it’s likely that a Vault Hunter we’ve been anticipating since 2014 will be involved. It’s great that Gearbox is finally addressing this long-standing plot point, as it’s been one of the most unanswered and unresolved threads in Borderlands. Resolving the Watcher’s War would allow the series to progress with fresh ideas and concepts, while also providing a much-needed resolution for what many consider an underrated game in the series.

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2024-12-28 04:23