How Borderlands 4’s Timekeeper Could Become the Ultimate Villain

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Summary

  • Borderlands 4’s Timekeeper needs to chart his own path to be a compelling villain, distinct from Handsome Jack.
  • The Timekeeper could be hated by players for his ruthlessness, setting him up as a brutal dictator.
  • Borderlands 4 should make the Timekeeper a relatable villain like Thanos, with motivations that challenge players.

As a dedicated Borderlands gamer, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation when it comes to the new villain in Borderlands 4, the Timekeeper. The legacy of Handsome Jack from Borderlands 2 and the less-than-impressive performance of the Calypso Twins in Borderlands 3 loom large over this character. Given Handsome Jack’s status as one of the franchise’s greatest villains, it’s only natural that comparisons will be drawn between him and the Timekeeper.

However, these comparisons come with a heavy burden. The Calypso Twins were judged harshly for trying too hard to follow in Handsome Jack’s footsteps. So, the Timekeeper is stepping into a challenging role, to say the least. They’ll need to carve out their own identity and avoid the pitfalls that the Calypso Twins fell into when they aimed to be the next Handsome Jack. It’s a tough act to follow, but I’m ready to see what the Timekeeper brings to the table in Borderlands 4.

Although Handsome Jack has significantly influenced the future villains in the Borderlands series, Borderlands 4’s Timekeeper could potentially surpass him as an even more captivating adversary, provided that the game developers thoughtfully address what constitutes a strong antagonist. Rather than striving to emulate Handsome Jack or simply stepping into his footsteps, Borderlands 4’s Timekeeper should carve its own unique path and provide players with a robust motive to engage in combat. Additionally, the antagonist should offer an adversary that can be comprehended if players attempt to understand its background and intentions.

Borderlands 4’s Timekeeper Has Massive Potential

Borderlands 4 Could Make Players Hate the Timekeeper

In the game Borderlands 2, Handsome Jack is often admired for his charm and character, but there are numerous factors that make players dislike him. Similar to Negan from The Walking Dead, Handsome Jack exhibits a blend of dark humor and brutal leadership, justifying his actions as heroic to himself. Much like Negan, it’s possible to appreciate the character while still detesting the individual he portrays.

In the context of Borderlands 4, the Timekeeper should forge his unique journey instead of imitating Handsome Jack or stepping into his footsteps. He ought to blaze a trail similar to how Handsome Jack did in the past, providing players with a significantly stronger motivation to engage in battle, and creating an adversary who, if players make the effort to understand him, becomes more relatable.

In a similar vein, Borderlands 4 might successfully make players despise the Timekeeper by making him as ruthless (or even more so) than Handsome Jack, but without the captivating narcissism that Jack is known for. Instead, the Timekeeper’s character could be more subdued compared to Jack’s flamboyant persona, making him less of a psychopathic villain and more of a cool-headed, tactical adversary who always seems to have an ace up his sleeve. It has been confirmed that Borderlands 4‘s Timekeeper is a tyrannical ruler on the new planet Kairos, which already positions him to commit heinous acts against the innocent without any regret whatsoever, and with no over-the-top mannerisms that either amuse or terrify players.

Borderlands 4 Could Make the Timekeeper a Relatable Villain

Instead of resembling Handsome Jack, maybe the character from Borderlands 4, known as the Timekeeper, could develop a similar dynamic to a villain like Thanos from Avengers: Infinity War. Thanos is renowned for being one of the most relatable antagonists in modern cinema, and this stems from his character’s motivations and perspective. Unlike many other villains who are evil just for the sake of it, Borderlands 4’s Timekeeper could adopt a Thanos-like approach to become a more sympathetic villain than those we have seen so far in the series.

It’s plausible that The Timekeeper shares a history with Lilith or was previously a Vault Hunter who suffered a devastating loss and grew resentful. His backstory might be heart-wrenching, as he could have initially used time manipulation for a virtuous purpose like reviving a loved one, but the power eventually corrupted him. Just like Thanos, the antagonist in Borderlands 4, The Timekeeper may possess motivations that are surprisingly relatable, making it challenging for players to decide whether defeating him is truly justified.

To make the Timekeeper a truly iconic antagonist in Borderlands 4, it’s crucial to learn from past mistakes and create a villain that is rich in depth, intent, and individuality. Instead of attempting to duplicate Handsome Jack’s legacy, Borderlands 4 should capitalize on the Timekeeper’s potential as a merciless yet empathetic adversary. The Timekeeper’s motivations should push players to consider a broader context rather than simply engaging in battles against another excessively flamboyant villain. If Borderlands 4 manages to accomplish this, the Timekeeper could finally escape Jack’s shadow and redefine what a Borderlands villain can be.

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2025-02-12 02:38