Why Borderlands 2 Is the Ultimate Pre-Borderlands 4 Experience in 2025

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Summary

  • Borderlands 2 is usually hailed as the best in the series, surpassing its predecessor in many ways.
  • Fans gearing up for Borderlands 4 should revisit BL2 for its memorable characters and DLCs and potentially explore alternate builds.
  • Restarting Borderlands 2 in 2025 is ideal to prepare for BL4’s release and how it seeks to bring the series into the future.

Released in 2012, Borderlands 2 is still widely considered the strongest game in the series by both critics and fans. This title consistently ranks at the top among all Borderlands games, maintaining a lasting impact. Gearbox Software’s second installment is often praised as a masterpiece in the looter-shooter genre, frequently acknowledged for establishing the franchise and the genre on the gaming scene. Despite subsequent major releases and spin-offs within the series, it’s difficult to find anyone who believes any of these have eclipsed BL2 overall.

After the third and last numbered release of 2019 drew less enthusiastic responses, fans were left curious about the developer’s future plans for Borderlands. Following a prolonged quiet spell, 2024 brought some encouraging updates for the game community. Initially, fans got a short sneak peek at Borderlands 4 during Summer Gamescom, and later, a more comprehensive trailer was unveiled during The Game Awards in December. As excitement builds towards the fourth installment, this year offers an excellent opportunity for players to revisit the series’ most critically acclaimed game from the beginning.

Why 2025 Is the Perfect Time to Start Fresh in Borderlands 2

Borderlands 2 Is Considered the Pinnacle of the Franchise

While the initial version of Borderlands laid the foundation, Borderlands 2 significantly enlarged and refined every aspect. The narrative, characters, multiplayer, and loot collection were all polished and seamlessly incorporated into BL2’s gameplay. This upgrade not only surpassed its predecessor but also raised the bar for the franchise, putting pressure on Gearbox to meet the high standards they had set. Borderlands 2 is largely credited for the introduction of one of gaming’s iconic villains, Handsome Jack, and it played a significant role in earning its reputation as an unforgettable and entertaining game.

Beyond the fantastic main game, Borderlands 2 boasts some of the franchise’s top and most cherished downloadable content (DLC), such as Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep, a title inspired by Dungeons & Dragons that became so popular it spawned its own spin-off series. To this day, Borderlands 2 remains an entertaining choice even after 13 years have passed.

A Fresh Playthrough of Borderlands 2 in 2025 Is the Perfect Appetizer for Borderlands 4

The upcoming game Borderlands 4 is expected to propel the series into new territories with notable alterations. The latest villain unveiled, known as The Timekeeper, has been described by Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford as more menacing and perilous than Handsome Jack, stirring curiosity among fans. This revelation provides a compelling motivation for enthusiasts to revisit Borderlands 2 from scratch and refresh their memory, in preparation for comparing the new antagonist with its previously iconic adversary.

2K Games announced an estimated release date for Borderlands 4 in December 2024, setting it anywhere from April 2025 to March 2026. Historically, the first three main games and The Pre-Sequel have been released in either September or October. Therefore, fans can expect Borderlands 4 to possibly be launched around autumn of 2025, giving them ample time to finish a new playthrough of Borderlands 2 before diving into the fourth installment as they prepare for the next chapter.

In addition to its standard version, Borderlands 2 can also be purchased in several handy bundles. The Game of the Year, Legendary, and Handsome Collection editions offer a vast array of downloadable content and extras such as character skins (with the Handsome Collection containing The Pre-Sequel as well). These packages are great options for players who wish to reexperience the game with all the post-release updates and additional content in one seamless playthrough.

It’s worth noting that while the previously mentioned versions encompass the majority of additional material, they do not include the Commander Lilith and the Fight for Sanctuary DLC. This particular content served as a bridge narrative linking Borderlands 2 to Borderlands 3.

In 2025, replaying Borderlands 2 from scratch offers several benefits even for those who have played it numerous times. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with some old friends making a comeback in Borderlands 4, and experiment with alternative character builds using less popular Hunter types. Moreover, since the upcoming release is expected to propel the series into the future, this could be the ideal moment for those yet to experience it to discover why Borderlands 2 has garnered such a positive reputation and is considered worth playing before diving into Borderlands 4.

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2025-02-12 22:04