Borderlands 4: Why Laser Guns Must Make a Comeback!

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After a long period of cryptic quietude from Gearbox, it’s been officially announced that Borderlands 4 is in development, and the beloved looter-shooter series is set to make its return. From its debut in 2009, the franchise has consistently boasted an abundant selection of weapons to collect and fire. As time passed, the series continually refined and enhanced the gunplay, making it increasingly immersive with each new release. Both Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 3 introduced new gun types, manufacturers, and elemental status effects, ensuring that each installment felt unique and innovative while still staying true to the established formula that has earned publisher Gearbox over $1 billion in sales since the original game.

While some innovative features don’t always carry over to subsequent games, Atlas, for instance, appeared initially but didn’t resurface until Borderlands 3. Features like Slag elemental weapons and e-tech guns have remained exclusive to Borderlands 2. It’s worth noting that many weapons from individual games could potentially see the light of day in Borderlands 4. Given this, there are several weapons introduced in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel that are worthy of becoming permanent series fixtures.

Borderlands 4 Needs to Bring Back Laser Guns

In the game Pre-Sequel, one standout feature was undoubtedly the introduction of laser weapons. Unlike conventional firearms that shoot bullets, these lasers emitted energy beams. The lasers themselves had different types, such as rapid-fire blasters, continuous beams, highly precise railgun bursts, and scattergun-style lasers that spread widely. Each laser gun possessed some form of elemental status effect, enhancing their basic usefulness.

In the game “Pre-Sequel”, laser weapons were present, but they didn’t carry over to “Borderlands 3”. The reason behind their absence in the rest of the series, as suggested by the lore, was due to a failed trade deal by Marcus. However, since “Borderlands 3” and potential future games like “Borderlands 4” take place across various worlds, this explanation seems questionable. In reality, it appears that Gearbox has chosen not to incorporate laser weapons into subsequent versions of the series, which is regrettable.

Why Laser Weapons Deserve a Spot in Borderlands 4

In Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, laser guns stood out as an exciting addition to gameplay. After three installments featuring firearm-based weapons, this shift was a refreshing change of pace for the franchise. Unlike the usual hitscan weaponry, options such as beams or blasters introduced something fresh and distinct for players who had already become proficient in the series’ gunplay.

In the realm of gaming, I found myself immersed in the world of Borderlands 2, and boy, did the introduction of lasers change the game for me! Unlike their e-tech predecessors, these new weapons were a blast to handle – each one felt unique and enjoyable to use. Sure, they kept the sci-fi vibe that Borderlands is famous for, but at their core, they adhered to the same principles as the other weapons in the game. They were a natural progression of the existing arsenal, offering a fresh take without straying too far from what I was already familiar with.

Although The Pre-Sequel has a loyal fanbase, it is often considered the outlier within the Borderlands series. Sitting as an awkward bridge between Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 3, it served primarily as a temporary filler while Gearbox was making crucial decisions about the franchise’s future direction. Consequently, its storyline, characters, zero gravity aspects, and overall impact on gameplay have largely been overlooked in subsequent content due to its less-than-stellar initial reception.

In essence, if the creators of Borderlands 4 aim for progress while maintaining the series’ roots, lasers should certainly reappear. Given that the Borderlands franchise is centered around an endless array of firearms, omitting an entire category of weapons feels inconsistent with its core philosophy. Reducing the variety of items in players’ arsenal goes against the very essence of the Borderlands series.

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2025-02-13 03:04