Summary
Borderlands 4is likely nearly here, introducing an all-new cast of Vault Hunters, bringing beloved characters back, taking players to the vast planet of Kairos, and seeing the new antagonist, the Timekeeper, make hisBorderlandsdebut. While fans of the series likely knowwhat to expect fromBorderlands 4, this particular installment has a chance to offer something substantial to veterans and newcomers alike by expanding on the franchise’s overarching narrative, and it’s all thanks to its “Borderlands 4” label.
Borderlands 4isn’t just a newBorderlandsgame — it’s the fourth mainline installment in the series, which gives it an opportunity that other spin-off titles in the series don’t have. In light of its title,Borderlands 4could possibly begin to shed some light on the series' biggest unanswered questions. In other words, it’s a great time to be alive forBorderlandsfans who have kept up with the series since its origins, as they might see some of the longest-standing mysteries finally resolved in the upcoming entry.
Borderlands 4’s Title Suggests Questions Will Likely Be Answered
The clearest implication ofBorderlands 4’s title means it will presumably expand the series' overarching narrative. Unlike spin-off titles in the series, likeBorderlands: The Pre-SequelandTiny Tina’s Wonderlands,Borderlands 4’s title effectively makes it a direct sequel to the series' mainline story, which was left open-ended at the conclusion ofBorderlands 3. This implication might seem like a given, especially with the return of characters likeZane Flynt inBorderlands 4, but it’s still worth noting, as it ultimately leaves it inBorderlands 4’s hands to answer some questions left unanswered byBorderlands 3and the installments before it.
Lilith’s Fate and the Watcher’s War
An obvious question left unanswered involvesLilith’s fate afterBorderlands 3, where she sacrificed herself to save Pandora by teleporting its moon, Elpis, away while it was on a collision course with the planet.Borderlands 4being what it is, one can assume Lilith’s fate will be revealed in this installment, unlike the other title that was released afterBorderlands 3,Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. Another story left unresolved, not byBorderlands 3but byBorderlands: The Pre-Sequel, is the Watcher’s warning, which foretold an impending war that hasn’t been addressed. Now,Borderlands 4has an opportunity to resolve that story, which has remained a mystery for over a decade now.
Missing Vault Hunters and Ava’s Future
Another major unknown that left many fans scratching their heads afterBorderlands 3is the whereabouts of some of the series' previous Vault Hunters. Most notably missing fromBorderlands 3were characters like Salvador, Axton, and Fiona, despite the game featuring many of the series' other classic Vault Hunters.Borderlands 3’s Ava, who now possesses Maya’s powers and is the leader of the Crimson Raiders, also remains a mystery, especially since she is only one of the few Sirens in theBorderlandsuniverse and therefore will likely play a significant role at some point. It’s possible thatBorderlands 4could bring back the series' missing Vault Hunters and also expand Ava’s narrative.
Expanding on Ava’s new role would also be a great opportunity forBorderlands 4to delve into the nature of Siren powers, especially after anomalies like Troy Calypso, a male Siren, have made an appearance.
The Fate of the Destroyer
Something elseBorderlands 3left largely unexplored was the fate of the Destroyer, as it was eventually revealed that Pandora is a giant Vault housing the Destroyer to keep it from wiping out the universe. However, the Destroyer’s fate is still unknown, so it could make an appearance inBorderlands 4. It would also make sense, as Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has indicated thatBorderlands 4’s antagonist is something far more “dangerous and sinister” than even Handsome Jack. While that could apply toBorderlands 4’s Timekeeper, perhaps the Timekeeper is only a stepping stone toward the story’s main villain.
There are otherquestions theBorderlandsseries has left unanswered, but it would make sense forBorderlands 4to at least address Lilith’s fate, the Watcher’s war, the missing Vault Hunters, Ava’s future, and the fate of the Destroyer.Borderlands 4, being called what it is, ultimately gives it a prime opportunity to expand the series' overarching narrative, unlike the variousBorderlandsspin-offs the franchise has seen.
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.
