Borderlands 4’s ‘Dangerous and Sinister’ Villain is Perfectly Timed

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Borderlands 4's 'Dangerous and Sinister' Villain is Perfectly Timed

Key Takeaways

  • Borderlands 4 introduces a darker, more sinister villain than Handsome Jack, sparking anticipation for the game’s release.
  • Borderlands 3 faced criticism for its comedic, non-threatening villains, leading to high hopes for Borderlands 4’s antagonist.
  • The potential return to a darker, more menacing adversary in Borderlands 4 could address the shortcomings of its predecessor.

As a long-time fan who has traversed the chaotic wastelands of Pandora and its neighboring planets countless times, I can confidently say that the revelation of Borderlands 4’s darker, more sinister villain has me genuinely excited for this upcoming installment. While Borderlands 3’s Calypso Twins were undeniably entertaining, they lacked the menacing edge that Handsome Jack brought to the table – a character who, let’s face it, set the bar pretty darn high!

After a long-awaited period, it’s been officially unveiled that Borderlands 4 exists, albeit in a mysterious manner through a cryptic teaser. The teaser doesn’t give much away directly, but it does show some Eridian script and an enigmatic face at the end of the trailer. Some fans initially speculated that this could be Handsome Jack, the villain from Borderlands 2. However, Gearbox Software’s CEO, Randy Pitchford, quickly dismissed these theories, clarifying that the image in the trailer was not Handsome Jack but something more ominous and sinister.

While it may not be the return of the infamous antagonist Handsome Jack in Borderlands 4, introducing a new threat that surpasses Jack’s menace could breathe fresh life into the series. After encountering multiple main villains throughout the Borderlands universe, the humorous antics of the most recent installments’ villains were divisive among fans. Thus, having a villain in Borderlands 4 who shares some traits with Handsome Jack but also brings something new to the table seems like an intriguing prospect.

After Borderlands 3, Borderlands 4’s Darker Villain Sounds Promising

Borderlands 3’s Villains Weren’t Serious or Threatening Enough

Borderlands 3, while generally well-received, has stirred up quite a debate within the series’ fanbase. This is because it seems to be the most divisive mainline Borderlands game yet, largely due to its over-the-top humor and violence that some find excessive, even for the Borderlands universe. For instance, the Calypso Twins, the villains of Borderlands 3, are not as menacing or serious as Handsome Jack was. This is a point of contention among players, with some arguing that any villain following Handsome Jack would face an impossible standard to live up to.

Following contemporary styles, much like how the Borderlands series is renowned for, the Calypso Twins resemble popular social media personalities seen on platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, and Instagram. Their characters are larger than life to a point where their meme-worthy qualities far surpass any perceived danger they may pose. They exude the charm of Handsome Jack, which is characteristic of any successful social media influencer, but lack the sinister edge that makes Handsome Jack both feared and respected. In Borderlands 3, it swiftly becomes evident that the Calypso Twins are striving to emulate Handsome Jack, a fact that only exacerbates their situation.

On the other hand, the potentially menacing and ominous antagonist in Borderlands 4 could possibly compensate for the perceived flaws in Borderlands 3.

Borderlands 4’s Dark Villain Might Make Up for Borderlands 3’s Shortcomings

It’s exciting to hear that the villain of Borderlands 4 seems to be a more formidable adversary than Handsome Jack, which could significantly contribute to the game’s success. However, Borderlands 4 should steer clear from trying to replicate the second game’s antagonist in any way. While fans have grown fond of Handsome Jack over time, there’s no reason to mimic his character and objectives as Borderlands 3 unsuccessfully did. Trying to replicate him is a risky move that usually leads to failure, so it’s crucial for Borderlands 4 to stay away from this approach entirely.

In my gaming experience, the sneak peek for Borderlands 4 seems to hint that The Watcher might be the main villain this time around. You see, I remember The Watcher from Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel back in 2014. Now, the trailer is heavily drenched in Eridian symbols, both literally and metaphorically, which could indicate that the Eridians will have a substantial role in Borderlands 4. If true, this could mean a much more ominous storyline than we’ve ever delved into within the Borderlands universe, taking us further back into the franchise’s history than we’ve ever ventured before.

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2024-09-07 21:05