Summary
TheBorderlandsseries shows no signs of slowing down, and as more Vault Hunters receive their own stories, it’s up to the fans to decide which of them are the best. EachBorderlandsgame offers a unique tale of Vault Hunters and loot, and with 7 games on the market, it’s time to check in and see how everyBorderlandsgame ranks in terms of its story content.
Some games excel at characters, whereas others focus more on the humor and the mayhem that the games have to offer. Whether players are new or old, eachBorderlandsstory has something to offer players, and they might just find themselveschuckling or cheering, depending on the title.
The fates of four new characters are in players' hands as they navigateNew Tales from the Borderlandswith decisions that could have dire consequences.New Tales from the Borderlandsfollows the scientist Anu, her streetwise brother Octavio, the frogurt-business-owning Fran, and the debonaire assassin bot, LOU13, as they try to make names for themselves.
New Tales from the Borderlandsmight have a few distinct characterizations and concepts, but the narrative for the game really doesn’t serve it well. The characters aremostly unlikeabledue to a reliance on humor that takes over from the plot, and even a few chuckle-worthy jokes don’t help this entry from being one of its most memorable.
Enter into the world of Pandora, where mayhem andmadness rule supreme. Pandora is a wasteland of desert and broken dreams, where those who do venture to Pandora do so for the whispers of loot found within the mythical Vaults. As the first entry in theBorderlandsseries,Borderlandsexcels at world-building with its corporations, bandits, and core Vault Hunters.
Yet, the story forBorderlandstakes a backseat to its gameplay, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but there are some moments that lack the enthusiasm and tension that they deserve because the game is more focused on loot and killing things, which somewhat cheapens its third act with a not-so memorable villain.
Borderlands3features somewhat of a time-skip, allowing players to flourish against new threats as the citizens and leaders of Sanctuaryleave Pandorato escape the Children of the Vault, a fanatical cult that sees the leadership of the Calypso twins hunt down Sirens.Borderlands3is the biggest game in terms of scope and adventure.
Fans had waited years for anotherBorderlandstitle, and when it came to gameplay,Borderlands3did not disappoint. The story might be a different story, and there are a few aspects that some fans dislike. Yet, as aBorderlandstitle,Borderlands3still does a great job of blending the franchise’s humor and tone with topical satire and an abundance of mayhem.
Leave the surface of Pandora behind for the moon, Elpis.Borderlands: The Pre-Sequelembracesthe weird and whackyof theBorderlandsseries, by combining both a prequel toBorderlands2 and a sequel toBorderlands2, in the same title. As a prelude toBorderlands2,The Pre-Sequelworks wonderfully with both its cast of characters, setting, and the origins of Handsome Jack, who goes from desperate hero to agonizing villain.
The Pre-Sequelexists in a weird spot, as it needs to mold its story to be faithful to the impending events ofBorderlands2, so there isn’t much room for creativity, but it doesn’t stop the game from excelling at a fun time. With expansive lore,The Pre-Sequelis great for more Athena and Jack alone.
Borderlandsheads into the fantasy realms of Bunkers and Badasses, as Tiny Tina leads an epic adventure with whimsy and wonder. The quest is clear: stop the Dragon Lord, and amass an army of loot and crumpets, and whatever else the random Tina has up her sleeve to keep things entertaining and engaging.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlandsembraces the fun side of theBorderlandsseries and takes one ofBorderlands2’s most iconic DLCs to create a fun spin-off adventure. The story ofTiny Tina’s Wonderlandsis one that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that allows for a powerful fantasy trip with hilarity as the focus.
Players must make their own decisions, whether justified or otherwise, to involve themselves in the fates of new characters in theBorderlandsseries. The game follows a Hyperion businessman, Rhys, and a tumbled involvement with Fiona, a con artist with dreams of a big score. With five episodes, and fates entwined, these characters won’t come out the same.
Telltale Games were at the top of their game when they broughtTales from the Borderlandsto the scene. This title focused more on the expanding narrative of the series post-Borderlands2rather than the gameplay, and that’s more than okay. The characters involved are fleshed out, and the quests that they embark on are deeply personal, allowing for some new faces and classics to have their moments.Tales from the Borderlandsfocuses on friendships and betrayals, with that typicalBorderlandscharm.
Borderlands2immediately leaves a strong impression on the player after they are invited to Pandora as Vault Hunters, only to be left for dead in the frozen Arctic of Pandora’s wastes. The story once again follows Vault Hunters as they head to Pandora in search of loot and stories, only to discover how Hyperion and Handsome Jack are trying to genocide the planet to mold it under his own sadistic image.
Borderlands2is where the series matured, but also kept its fun side. The villain of Handsome Jack ishilarious and intense, creating one of gaming’s best villains of all time. The story was also a heavy mix of mayhem and serious themes, allowing for jokes and drama to hit at all the right moments, even if the pop culture references are a tad dated.
