One New Borderlands 4 Feature Feels Like a Stepping Stone to Something Bigger

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Enthusiasts of Borderlands 4 are, predictably, fixated on its major transformations. The open-world aspect has been a significant topic in discussions about Borderlands 4, with many positive sentiments expressed due to the apparent abundance it offers. Farming bosses without the need for reloads is a significant advantage for fans who enjoy tracking down legendary items, while the ability to summon vehicles without the necessity of catch-a-ride being simplified is a convenient improvement in gameplay quality. Movement has been enhanced through the inclusion of double jumps, gliding, and grappling, but alongside these substantial modifications, Borderlands 4 introduces a more discreet travel option: swimming.

In the Borderlands series, water has been scarce and generally hazardous for players to encounter. Bodies of water are often marked as off-limits or too shallow to matter, posing an instant threat to Vault Hunters who come into contact with them. Given the characters’ high skill levels, it’s always seemed strange that none of them can swim, so the inclusion of swimming in Borderlands 4 is a welcome change. Swimming appears to be limited to crossing rivers and small bodies of water, as underwater combat seems absent from what we’ve seen so far. It’s intriguing that Gearbox has added swimming capabilities for only a few areas, as it wasn’t necessary for the game world. Borderlands 4 could have followed its predecessors in treating water as a hazard, but it doesn’t, suggesting that Gearbox may be planning to expand upon these changes in future updates.

Borderlands 4’s Swimming Mechanics Could Be the Gateway to an Underwater Setting

In Borderlands 4, delving into immersive underwater gameplay could open up a vast array of content. The design of new adversaries, distinct from the Psychos and Skags we’re familiar with on land, is almost certain. It’s not hard to imagine a Vault boss modeled after a sea creature like a hydra, squid, or anglerfish. For an interesting twist on the series’ signature guns, the shift to the ocean could bring about a new Borderlands gun manufacturer, or perhaps unique weapon components crafted by existing ones. Tridents as weapons might be the natural successor to throwing knives in Borderlands 4, while harpoon guns would offer an impaling experience that’s both visceral and gratifying.

In terms of the game’s environment, Gearbox Software has several possibilities for future expansions or updates of Borderlands 4. If they wish to confine these additions to Kairos, the new planet, exploring its oceans (if it has any) could be an option. This could involve introducing a character on the seashore who provides players with a device similar to the Oz Kit from Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, enabling them to swim swiftly, shoot, and breathe underwater. The story would then unfold from this point. Conversely, Gearbox could allow players of Borderlands 4 to travel Sanctuary 3 to Aquator, a lesser-known planet in the Borderlands universe that was hinted at in the original game with the tagline “one planet, one ocean.” Though only a small island is shown in the poster’s imagery, the majority of the shot features blue waters, making Aquator an ideal setting for underwater exploration.

In the game “Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands,” there was a humorous take on an underwater-like region called Nocean. However, as the playful title implies, the water itself was absent in the areas you could explore.

Borderlands 4 Would Have to Tread Carefully With an Underwater DLC

There’s an opportunity for an underwater expansion in Borderlands 4, given the Fish Queen character from the Guns, Love, and Tentacles DLC of Borderlands 3. However, Gearbox Software needs to be mindful of past video game blundles with underwater levels. While some underwater segments have been enjoyable, there are many more that players disliked. If Gearbox chooses to transform simple swimming into full-blown underwater combat at some point, they should prioritize fun above all else. Fast movement, avoiding overly tedious air mechanics, and ensuring weapons maintain their full power would be crucial. If these aspects can be addressed, then Borderlands could offer a lot by taking players deep under the sea.

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2025-07-05 13:43