Borderlands 4 Might Be Ditching Catch-a-Ride

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Summary

  • Borderlands 4 introduces vehicles that can be summoned almost anywhere, potentially replacing Catch-a-Ride.
  • The new vehicle system aligns with Kairos’ seamless exploration design, removing geographical limitations.
  • Removing Catch-a-Ride in Borderlands 4 may enhance player freedom and immersion in the open-world setting.

As a dedicated fan who has spent countless hours navigating the vibrant and chaotic worlds of the Borderlands series, I must say that the prospect of a new vehicle system replacing Catch-a-Ride in Borderlands 4 has me both excited and nostalgic.

From its modest start, the Borderlands series has consistently adhered to its core principles, leaning heavily on established traditions to support each new installment and drive the franchise forward. One classic Borderlands feature is the distinctive Catch-a-Ride system, where players could summon new vehicles once they engaged with a Catch-a-Ride station. However, there’s growing speculation that Borderlands 4 might permanently eliminate this feature, as suggested by recent gameplay trailers and accompanying information releases.

It seems like Borderlands 4 is making a significant effort to enhance numerous aspects where its previous versions might have faltered, aiming to rejuvenate the series for both returning fans and fresh players. Although it’s possible that the Catch-a-Ride system may no longer be included, there are hints that Borderlands 4 could offer an even more engaging vehicle system, enabling players to traverse its new planet of Kairos with greater ease.

Borderlands 4 May Be Shifting Away From Catch-a-Ride

Borderlands 4 Features Vehicles That Can Be Summoned Almost Anywhere

It appears that the reason we might not see the Catch-a-Ride system in Borderlands 4 is due to a recent article from 2K Newsroom, which was published alongside the release of the game’s latest trailer at the 2024 Game Awards. This article mentions a new vehicle that can be summoned almost anywhere. It’s uncertain if this new system will have any limitations, but the term “almost” implies that it might. Since Borderlands 4’s vehicles need to be summoned from Catch-a-Ride terminals, and this new system allows for vehicle summons nearly everywhere, the vehicle system in Borderlands 4 should theoretically offer more flexibility compared to the previous one.

In the gameplay trailer of Borderlands 4, it seems that whenever a vehicle is called, it’s usually close to a structure resembling a tower, hinting at a possible similarity with the Catch-a-Ride system. If this is true and players must either approach or interact with these towers before summoning their vehicles, then the ability to call vehicles almost anywhere in Borderlands 4 suggests that the game’s environments will be dotted with these towers. This will ensure a sufficient number of opportunities for vehicle summons, preventing players from feeling constrained by geographical limitations.

Borderlands 4 Doing Away With Catch-a-Ride Would Make Sense

It could be disappointing if Borderlands 4 eliminates the Catch-a-Ride system, but considering its new planet Kairos is designed for seamless exploration without any loading screens, it seems logical given its open-world design. The intention behind designing Kairos this way suggests that it will be a substantial open world, though exactly how big it will be remains to be seen, as Gearbox has not confirmed the details yet. However, the focus on seamless exploration indicates that it may well surpass the sizes of locations in past Borderlands games.

In a simplified version, the vehicle system in Borderlands 4 could potentially offer more convenience since players would be able to call vehicles from most locations. However, as it currently stands, summoning a vehicle through Catch-a-Ride necessitates being near a Catch-a-Ride terminal.

Given that Kairos aims to provide smooth and uninterrupted exploration, it seems logical that Borderlands 4 might opt to eliminate the popular Catch-a-Ride system. This is because, if Borderlands 4 intends to let players freely roam without breaks, stopping at specific spots merely to grab a vehicle could disrupt the immersion they’re trying to create. Moreover, considering that Kairos appears to be significantly larger than any previous locations in the Borderlands series, repeatedly running between Catch-a-Ride terminals might become repetitive or tedious for some players.

In essence, whether Borderlands 4 is abandoning the Catch-a-Ride system or reimagining it, its new vehicle system demonstrates Gearbox’s eagerness to introduce novelty and sometimes discard longstanding practices. The expansive, continuous terrains of Kairos seem to necessitate a transportation system that emphasizes player autonomy, and the new summoning system for vehicles appears to fulfill this need. Although dedicated fans might experience a touch of nostalgic sorrow over the potential elimination of Catch-a-Ride, it could prove advantageous for Borderlands 4, as it strives to elevate the series to even greater peaks.

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2024-12-18 16:06