After years of waiting,Borderlands 4is the comeback that many fans of the series have been waiting for.Borderlands 3was a divisive entry in the series, and the games that followed didn’t have the same appeal to some fans of the looter shooter franchise.Borderlands 4is a return to form, honing in on what made the series so special in the first place.
The chaotic gunplay of theBorderlandsseries is a major draw for some players, but after spending years in these worlds and experiencing these stories, longtime fans may grow to love the series’ eclectic cast of characters. The diverse personalities ofBorderlands’ charactersare sure to stick with players long after multiple playthroughs of the games’ campaigns. Some of these beloved characters are returning inBorderlands 4, but there are two missing that cannot be overlooked.
BL4 Could Reunite All of Borderlands 3’s Vault Hunters
Amara and Zane Are Returning in Borderlands 4
Borderlandsgames always go above and beyond to honor their history by giving previous playable characters more prominent roles as NPCs in later games. ThoughBorderlands 4is a soft reboot for the series – following on fromBorderlands 3while serving as the perfect entry point for newcomers – it isn’t afraid to make references to the past.
This is most evident with the inclusion ofAmara and Zane, two Vault Hunters fromBorderlands 3that will support players during the main campaign ofBorderlands 4. They have both been featured throughout the game’s promotional materials, trailers, and gameplay deep dives, allowing fans of the last mainlineBorderlandstitle to be excited for their addition to the latest installment in the series.
Borderlands 4takes place six years after the events ofBorderlands 3, and as such, Amara and Zane have been redesigned to show how they have changed during this time period. They both remain recognizable, maintaining the most iconic aspects of their original designs, but they have been altered to better fit in with the cast andtone ofBorderlands 4.
Borderlands 4 Will Likely Feature FL4K and Moze
The inclusion of Amara and Zane inBorderlands 4makes it very likely thatBorderlands 3’s remaining Vault Hunters – FL4K and Moze – will soon follow. So far, there has not been any official statement on whether they will appear inBorderlands 4, but with Amara and Zane being added, fans could expect FL4K and Moze to also make an appearance in some way, especially in DLC. Even though they haven’t beenconfirmed to be NPCs inBorderlands 4yet, this doesn’t rule them out from having a crucial role in the story of the game. It’s possible for them both to appear later in the campaign as a surprise reveal, with each having missions focused around them.
What makes returning Vault Hunters so special is that it gives players the chance to see who these characters have become after their previous playable roles. The fates of Amara and Zane are now known to players, but thestatus ofBorderlands 3’s FL4Kand Moze remains a mystery. Their inclusion inBorderlands 4seems like an eventuality, and can finally answer the question of what happened to these characters following the events ofBorderlands 3.
Like with returning Vault Hunters of the past, including Amara and Zane, it wouldn’t be unexpected for FL4K and Moze to be redesigned inBorderlands 4.
Borderlands 4seems to be going for a contrasting aesthetic, with some characters appearing more futuristic whereas others appear to have pieced together what they can find. The former could work well forMoze, upgrading Iron Bearwith sleek technology, while the latter could be great for FL4K, leaning further into their rugged Beastmaster role with a low-tech look.
BL3’s Returning Vault Hunters Could Come With a Cost
While it’s great to seeBorderlands 3’s Amara and Zane return as key players inBorderlands 4’s story, it’s possible that the remaining Vault Hunters from the last game may not be seen throughout the main campaign. Instead, they may eventually be introduced in one ofBorderlands 4’s DLC campaigns, giving them their own spotlight away from the events of the main story.
Adding the previous game’s playable characters to the DLC stories was an approach used byBorderlands 3. Maya and Zer0 became important characters in the base game’s campaign, but the four remainingBorderlands 2Vault Hunters were included inBorderlands 3’s multiple DLCs. Krieg even featured in his own self-titledBorderlands 3DLC, giving players a deeper insight into his mind and the impact the events of the main game have had on him. If some ofBorderlands 3’sVault Huntersare missing fromBorderlands 4’s main campaign, their inclusion in the DLC is a very likely possibility.
This could be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s a joy to see the Vault Hunters of pastBorderlandsgames play an active role in the player’s journeys in later games. However, having them only be available within the game’s DLC would require players to purchase the additional content just to see their favorite characters once again. Fans of Amara and Zane are safe from this concern, but FL4K andMoze mainsmay need to pay extra to see theirBorderlands 4iterations.
The Vault Hunters ofBorderlands 3have become fan favorites, with memorable personalities that help them to stand out from past playable characters. Including them as NPCs inBorderlands 4gives these personalities more chance to shine and the chance to interact with the rest of the game’s cast. Thereturn ofBorderlands 3’s Zaneand Amara is great for fans of these characters, but their inclusion feels like it is hinting at something more. Leaving FL4K and Moze out of theBorderlands 4experience seems very unlikely, but how they would be included, and if, is yet to be revealed. Whether they will be part of the main campaign or included within their own DLC stories,Borderlands 4needs to give an update on the status of these characters.
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.
