Borderlands 4made a huge splash at the Game Awards 2024 with its revealing new trailer. The first teaser for the next installment of the premier looter shooter series hit a lot of different notes:looks at the new vault hunters forBorderlands 4, updates on fan-favorite characters, and of course, plenty of new guns. But perhaps more interesting than anything else was the first look at some of the story beats of the fourth game, including a first look at the next villain trying their hand at taking over Pandora.
The story inBorderlands 3was something of a weak point for the title, with a lot of fans citing the Calypso Twins’ inferiority to their handsome predecessor as a reason that the threequel didn’t hit the same highs as previous installments. One key moment in the trailer might indicate thatBorderlands 4’s story intends to take the series to the next level by finally addressing one of the most mysterious hanging plot threads from one of the series' most underappreciated entries.
Borderlands 4 Seems to Finally Deliver on the Watcher’s ‘Vault Hunter War’
Though it’s sometimes overlooked,Borderlands: The Pre-Sequelmight have set up the plot forBorderlands 4a full decade ago, back in 2014. That game ends with the Watcher, an enigmatic alien entity making itself known on Sanctuary before ominously warning the characters of an impendingwar that would require all the Vault Huntersthey could get. The subsequent Holodome DLC revealed that Axton and Gaige had been off-world looking to recruit Aurelia, but after that the “war” became something of an afterthought.
Borderlands 3largely ignores this plot thread in favor of focusing on the Calypsos and the Children of the Vault Cult, but thefirst looks atBorderlands 4might indicate that Gearbox is dusting off the Watcher’s long-foretold war.Borderlands 4’s reveal trailer shows hordes and hordes of enemies rushing headlong into battle with the game’s four new Vault Hunters standing in their way.
That’s much more “war-like” imagery than the series has arguably delved into before and a possible sign from Gearbox that it’s finally going to fulfill the promise of thePre-Sequel. Thenew villain ofBorderlands 4, the Timekeeper,is something of an enigma as of now. There’s no telling their exact motivations, but whatever they are, it seems like they’re willing to bring an army to help them further their own goals.
As Exciting as the Vault Hunter War Is, It’s Good the Series Gets to Move on To New Stories
The Watcher was a mysterious player inThe Pre-Sequel, only really appearing onscreen twice in the game’s runtime. Almost nothing is known about it save for the fact thatit is definitely Eridian in origin. This war, and maybe even the Timekeeper, might also trace their origins back to theBorderlandsseries' most enigmatic faction. This would certainly explain why the Watcher was clued in so early to the inevitable danger. The war could very well be the result of a resurgence of Eridian presence in the galaxy, as most longtime fans of the series will agree that they’re not totally convinced every Eridian is extinct.
No matter the exact details of the conflict ofBorderlands 4, there’s a clear chance that it involves theVault Hunter War players have been waiting for since 2014. If so, it’s good that Gearbox is finally delivering on it, since it’s been far and away the largest lingeringBorderlandsplot thread that’s been left unaddressed and unresolved. Closing the book on the Watcher’s War would let the series keep moving forward with new ideas and concepts, and give some long-overdue resolution to the most underrated game in the series.
WHERE TO PLAY
Borderlands 4 brings intense action, badass Vault Hunters, and billions of wild and deadly weapons to an all-new planet ruled by a ruthless tyrant.Crash into Kairos as one of four new Vault Hunters seeking wealth and glory. Wield powerful Action Skills, customize your build with deep skill trees, and dominate enemies with dynamic movement abilities.Break free from the oppressive Timekeeper, a ruthless dictator who dominates the masses from on high. Now a world-altering catastrophe threatens his perfect Order, unleashing mayhem across the planet.Ignite a resistance and blast your way through mechanical monstrosities, bloodthirsty bandits, and vicious beasts. Amass an arsenal of death-dealing firepower to wreak havoc as you tear your way across Kairos.Fight solo or in co-op with up to three other players in this immense sci-fi adventure, packed with free-form combat and exploration, pulse-pounding boss fights, infinitely varied loot drops, and an eclectic cast of unforgettable characters new and old.
