Summary
There is no denying thatBorderlands 4has been highly anticipated by fans of the series, as they were largely kept in the dark about its very existence until only fairly recently. With such heightened anticipation surrounding its eventual unveiling, one would think more positive than negative reactions might have resulted from it. However,Borderlands 4’s latest gameplay reveal was met with controversy, particularly surrounding the designs of its new Vault Hunters. Even so, the game’s NPCs may be able to make up for that dissension — at least, based on what has been revealed so far.
Returning characters andnew foes alike inBorderlands 4appear to possess the visual flair and iconic creativity that fans have come to expect from theBorderlandsuniverse. In light of that,Borderlands 4’s NPCs may be able to sidestep the criticism that its playable characters ran right into without hesitation.
Borderlands 4’s NPCs May Avoid the Criticism Its Vault Hunters Garnered
Borderlands 4’s Vault Hunters Have Been Criticized for Their Blandness
Despite the fact that very little information about their gameplay has been revealed,Borderlands 4’s Vault Hunters have received hefty criticism for the blandness of their appearance. Unfortunately, this probably wouldn’t be the case ifBorderlands 4featured Vault Hunters as diverse as those leading past installments, but comparison is almost always the most popular form of criticism. To be fair, each ofBorderlands 4’s four Vault Hunters does largely look like the other three, and none of them really have distinct features and characteristics that might make them more distinguished. In short, there’s just a certain flair thatBorderlands 4’s Vault Huntersare lacking, and they essentially look like standard individuals — nothing special.
Previous characters like Zer0 and Krieg had distinct appearances that immediately set them apart, whereas the designs ofBorderlands 4’s new Vault Hunters seem quite a bit more tame.
Borderlands 4’s NPCs Already Seem to Have Some Cool Designs
In spite of the criticism thatBorderlands 4’s Vault Hunters have received for their design, however, the sequel’s NPCs already appear to be evading such criticism and may very well continue to once the game launches. One ofBorderlands 4’s returning characters, Zane Flynt, for instance, has received a bit of a makeover in the sequel, with a longer beard, a different hairstyle, and what appears to be something of a shawl instead of his normal jacket. A character dressed in shining white and gold attire that appears near the end ofBorderlands 4’s latest gameplay trailer also features one of the game’s more distinctive looks, though it’s unclear what role the character will play.
Borderlands 4’s new villain, the Timekeeper, bears a design that makes him appear as menacing as the threat he seems to pose. Many of the game’s enemies are also far more visually striking than the Vault Hunters. In fact, many of the enemies shown in the latest gameplay trailer forBorderlands 4appear far more threatening than the characters players will be controlling throughout the adventure, perhaps in an effort to make players feel a little “less than” this time, as opposed to a powerhouse capable of defeating any foes they cross paths with.
There’s just a certain flair thatBorderlands 4’s Vault Hunters are lacking, and they essentially look like standard individuals — nothing special.
Borderlands 4’sVault Hunters may not have helped with the anticipation surrounding the game, but the game’s NPCs, including returning characters and enemies, already seem to showcase the designs and personalities many have likely come to expect from the series. These visually distinctive non-playable characters could very well offset some of thedisappointment surroundingBorderlands 4’s new Vault Huntersand maintain the franchise’s reputation for more imaginative character design. Whether this will prove effective in the long run remains to be seen, but there is at least some semblance of hope left thatBorderlands 4is dedicated to creating a world filled with unforgettable characters.
