Get ready, gamers! Gearbox and 2K are launching Borderlands 4 in just two weeks, marking the newest adventure in their beloved looter-shooter series. Over the past month, the studio has shared exciting insights into the game’s four new Vault Hunters through engaging gameplay clips and narrative shorts.
Borderlands 4 transports players to the new planet of Kairos, where the Vault Hunters—Siren Vex, Exo-Soldier Rafa, Forgeknight Amon, and Gravitar Harlowe—team up with local resistance fighters to topple the tyrant ruler known as the Timekeeper. Each character’s introductory video offers a tantalizing glimpse into their unique abilities and backstories as they embark on this daunting quest.
Meet the Vault Hunters
Vex’s video introduces her as a retail worker who unexpectedly gains her Siren powers and amusingly tests them out on unwitting customers. On the other hand, Rafa’s story unfolds within a tech corporation’s experimental super-soldier program, leaving him on the run after a betrayal by his commanding officer.
A Fresh Take on Character Backstories
While the character shorts might not reinvent the wheel, they offer a delightful charm, adding depth to the Vault Hunters’ personalities compared to previous games. Each video concludes with characters bonding over their ‘origin stories’ around a campfire, enhancing the sense of camaraderie among them.
A Shift in Storytelling Tone
Previous Borderlands titles relied heavily on in-game audio logs to unveil backstories; however, Borderlands 3 integrated character shorts into its marketing strategy, and the trend has continued with this new release. The latest videos aim to establish a tone that resonates with the overarching narrative. Notably, the humor in the series has been polarizing, with many feeling Borderlands 3 ventured too far into parody. Narrative director Sam Winkler himself acknowledged this sentiment in a recent interview, signaling that the team is taking a more nuanced approach.
A Grounded Narrative Experience
“Kairos is under the oppressive rule of a dictator,” lead writer Taylor Clark explained. “Given the global stakes, a humor style akin to Whac-A-Mole wouldn’t fit. We needed the humor to emerge organically from character interactions.”
Exciting Future for DLC
This grounded narrative approach won’t just be pivotal at launch; it’s set to extend into post-launch downloadable content (DLC), exploring varied genres and tones as seen in past installments. Winkler, Clark, and narrative managing director Lin Joyce remain tight-lipped on specifics of the DLC since it’s still in development, but fans can look forward to what’s next. Until then, Borderlands 4 promises to deliver humor that aligns with its darker themes, launching on September 12 for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.
Are you curious about the characters in Borderlands 4? Each Vault Hunter brings their own unique story and skills to the table. Players will experience a blend of character-driven narratives and thrilling gameplay that is sure to excite. What will be the main objective for players in this new adventure? Players will unite to overthrow the Timekeeper, turning the tide against dictatorship.
How does the tone of Borderlands 4 differ from its predecessors? The game shifts to a more serious narrative context while organically integrating humor, responding to criticisms of previous titles.
What platforms will Borderlands 4 be available on? Fans can look forward to its release on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 on September 12.
Ready to dive deeper into the Borderlands universe? We encourage you to explore more about this thrilling franchise. For the latest updates and insights, visit Moyens I/O.