Summary
TheBorderlandsseries has long set a high bar for video game antagonists, especially when it comes toBorderlands 2’s Handsome Jack. His twisted charm and ruthless unpredictability tookBorderlands 2’s narrative to greater heights and depths, resulting in an antagonist who was both terrifying and captivating to watch. When the Calypso Twins stepped into the spotlight inBorderlands 3, they were given the impossible task of following Jack’s memorable performance. Unfortunately, their characters fell far short of the series' storytelling potential. However,Borderlands 4might have just introduced a villain truly worthy ofredeeming the Calypso Twins.
Despite what little is known about him,Borderlands 4’s Timekeeper is already distinguishing himself as a more terrifying villain than the Calypso Twins. Early glimpses of the Timekeeper inBorderlands 4’s latest gameplay trailer show what could potentially be a much darker force to be reckoned with, whose mysteriousness only increases his potential. If these very early signs are any indication of what kind of antagonist he will be, the Timekeeper could fill in the pothole left by the Calypso Twins and give fans an act worthy of following Handsome Jack.
Borderlands 4’s Timekeeper Already Looks More Menacing Than the Calypso Twins
Borderlands 3’s Calypso Twins Were Far Too Annoying and Non-Threatening
It’s no secret thatBorderlands 2’s Handsome Jack was a tough act to follow, and the Calypso Twins took the brunt of those expectations due to being the next major antagonists in the mainlineBorderlandsseries. While that might have been a justifiable reason for their negative reception, however, they might have fallen flat regardless, due to their annoying personalities and non-threatening demeanors. In some ways, it always felt like theCalypso Twins were trying too hard to be Handsome Jack, and while that is an admirable goal, it ultimately contributed to their downfall. In their efforts to be the next Handsome Jack, they ended up shining a massive spotlight on every reason why they weren’t Handsome Jack.
Despite what little is known about him,Borderlands 4’s Timekeeper is already distinguishing himself as a more terrifying villain than the Calypso Twins.
A significant contributor to theCalypso Twins' underwhelming receptionwas their lack of depth and development, especially in comparison to Handsome Jack. Whereas Handsome Jack had a complex backstory and a charismatic and spine-tingling personality that made him easy to remember, the Calypso Twins were fairly one-dimensional, seemingly only wanting power and fame, without the nuanced character development that could have made them more compelling.
The over-the-top personas of the Calypso Twins that were meant to shed a satirical light on internet culture resulted in irritating dialogue and exaggerated, embarrassing behavior that made them more annoying than threatening, thereby making them feel less like villains and more like eye-roll-inducing roadblocks. To top it all off, the Calypso Twins' actions throughoutBorderlands 3’s storywere largely predictable, which was a big departure from Handsome Jack’s psychotic spontaneity. It’s unfortunate that the Calypso Twins had to take the stage right after Handsome Jack left it because they might have been at least a little better received if he had never appeared.
Borderlands 4’s Timekeeper Already Looks Like a Truly Sinister Villain
Regardless of the reasons forBorderlands 3’s Calypso Twins falling flat as antagonists, they are nonetheless the bottom of the barrel when it comes toBorderlandsvillains. However,Borderlands 4’s villain, the Timekeeper, already looks and sounds more menacing than the Calypso Twins could have dreamed of being, and perhaps even Handsome Jack. A major part of the Timekeeper’s threatening persona lies in the mystery still surrounding his character, as only a handful of information about him has been disclosed so far, and his appearance alone suggests an otherworldly power not to be trifled with.
According to Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox, theTimekeeper is a much more “dangerous and sinister” villainthan even Handsome Jack, and judging by the looks of things inBorderlands 4’s new gameplay trailer, Pitchford might be telling the truth.
If the Timekeeper truly is as sinister as he appears to be,Borderlands 4has an opportunity to rebuild the ruins left in the wake of the Calypso Twins. It could be argued that the Calypso Twins providedtheBorderlandsserieswith exactly what it needed: a guide to what aBorderlandsvillain shouldn’t be that can also serve as a blueprint for what aBorderlandsvillain should be. The mystery surrounding the Timekeeper’s personality and intentions has already set him apart, and if the depth of his character and personality can put him on par with Handsome Jack, he could raise the bar even higher for the franchise.
