Summary
As is often the case with ambitious game development projects, not every idea or feature envisioned forBorderlands 2made it into the final version. Though its cuts were not as substantial as some games, likeHogwarts Legacy’s reputation system, the cutting room floor forBorderlands 2was nonetheless littered with unused content.
From weapons and items that went unused to cut textures, graphics, currencies, and dialogue, the development history ofBorderlands 2is filled with scars. Fortunately, it seems as though none of the content cut fromBorderlands 2got in the way of it being what is widely considered thebestBorderlandsgameever made.
Everything Cut From Borderlands 2
Several Weapons and Items Went Unused for Borderlands 2
SinceBorderlandshas always been about loot, the weapons and items that were ultimately cut fromBorderlands 2stand as some of the most prominent elements removed from the game before its release. Included in the cutweapons fromBorderlands 2is the ERROR MESSAGE ERROR MESSAGE Torgue rocket launcher, which still made it into the game, but was unique to Master Gee and couldn’t be used by players. Another rocket launcher, the Harpoon Gun, was also cut from the game, as well as a unique Vladof pistol called “Fire Drill,” which was designed to come with a 100% Ignite chance.
SeveralBorderlands 2items were also cut from the game before its release, including a Legendary Bandit Grenade.The Mystery of Tannisis an early Eridian Relic that was removed from the base game as well and would have increased Explosive Damage by a certain percentage. Wisp Jars were also cut fromBorderlands 2ahead of launch, although players have reported finding the item in the past, many eventually discovering there was no purpose to them. Finally, a power up called “Turtle Up!” went unused but was originally planned to drop like health from enemies.
The Turtle Up! power up was intended to temporarily raise core stats and prevent damage.
Some Textures and Graphics Were Cut From Borderlands 2
As is the case in the development of most games,Borderlands 2also had some textures and graphics that were designed but ultimately removed from the game ahead of its release. Included in its missing textures is a missing texture for the inside of the mine shaft’s crusher in theCaustic Caverns. Another two missing textures can still be seen in the game, although they only appear as the default Unreal Development Kit checkerboard. One of these textures can be seen through the grating in Washburne Refinery, and another can be seen by glitching through the map in The Rustyards.
Some ofBorderlands 2’s unused graphics indicate the removal of a few items. For example, there is no Slag Nova Shield or Slag SpikeShield inBorderlands 2, but missing graphics for them suggest they were once available in the game. Additionally, after the events ofBorderlands, the Atlas company completely disappeared, and yet, their logo was originally intended to appear inBorderlands 2somewhere. Finally, for some reason, the Unreal Editor splash screen graphic is present with the files for the Epic Games version ofBorderlands 2on PC.
Plenty of currencies went unused inBorderlands 2as well, particularly placeholder currencies that were intended to be used inBorderlands 2DLCbut never were. In total, there were eight currencies that were never used inBorderlands 2. There is no indication of what these currencies were called or what they might have been used for.
Some Achievements Never Made It to Borderlands 2’s Final Release
Achievement huntersmight not like to know that someBorderlands 2achievements never made it to the final release either. However, like the unused currencies, which were ultimately only placeholders, these achievements don’t have names associated with them. All in all, there were a whopping 40 achievements that were never used inBorderlands 2’s final release.
Strings of Miscellaneous Dialogue Were Cut From Borderlands 2
A few strings of miscellaneous dialogue were cut fromBorderlands 2, though none of them particularly significant. One string of dialogue is a sound effect forBrick inBorderlands 2, which sounds as though he is throwing a massive punch. Another audio clip for Lilith sounds like she is screaming in pain. Jimbo Hodunk also had an unused line of dialogue, which is unintelligible but loud. Finally, there were several bits of unused crowd audio, including boos, grunts of disgust, and improvisational lines like “this song sucks,” “this is awful,” and “turn it off.”
