Summary
After a nearly five-year wait,Borderlandsis officially set to receive its fourth main installment. Following a chain of rumors, leaks, and teasers, Gearbox Software’s seminal looter shooter series is back in the spotlight, having announced the next upcoming entry this past March. While gamers receivedBorderlandstitles likeNew Tales from the BorderlandsandTiny Tina’s Wonderlandsin the time sinceBL3,the forthcoming entry is set to bring the franchise into the next generation.
And while fans await further word and theorize abouthowBorderlands 4might play out, Gearbox might consider looking to CD Projekt Red’s work onCyberpunk 2077in a specific area to iterate on one of its central components related to its playable cast.Cyberpunk 2077’s protagonist, V, could hail from a selection of backgrounds that informed some of their personality and role-playing options, with each one having a different initial quest before jumping into the story proper.Borderlands 4might look to this design to add another layer to its latest group of Vault Hunters, fleshing out their personalities and lore off the bat, and showcasing them all a bit more to start.
BothBorderlands 4andCyberpunk 2077’s followup, codenamed Project Orion, are known to be in development, though not much has been revealed regarding their details like plot, setting, and characters.
Borderlands 4 Can Take a Page Out of Cyberpunk 2077’s Playbook To Upgrade its Vault Hunters
Cyberpunk 2077’s Lifepaths
Cyberpunk 2077’s starting lifepathsoffered fans a selection of three archetypes for their version of V. Choosing between Street Kid, Corpo, or Nomad informed the opening playable segments that kick off the campaign, each having their own angle and broad characterization based on them. The lifepaths also affected a handful of situations and conversations via specific dialogue choices, although they ultimately did not really impact the overall story or role-playing elements as significantly as CDPR perhaps initially led on. Still,Cyberpunk 2077’s lifepaths are a great concept, and there is a lot of potential for something along their lines to be incorporated intoBorderlands 4.
How Borderlands 4 Could Use Cyberpunk 2077’s Lifepaths to Enhance the Next Batch of Vault Hunters
Borderlandstitles traditionally give players a choice between four Vault Hunter protagonists. In some cases, later DLC expanded the roster further, such as with Krieg inBL2and Handsome Jack’s body double inBorderlands The Presequel. By takingBorderlands' trademark tongue-in-cheek presentation and designs and providing a unique beginning mission or playable scenario on top that sets up the personas of each Vault Hunter,BL4could evolve the existing structure by giving fans deeper initial insight into the characters and their related abilities.
These might take the form of generally recognizable classes and accompanying appropriate missions that naturally matchBorderlands' tone and setting. Ones like bounty hunter, solider, or eccentric inventor, for example, would all be a natural fit. Given itsoften outlandish sense of humor, there are a variety of others that would likely make for interesting and fun starting points too. EvenifBorderlands 4includes returning NPCs as playable Vault Hunters, having an introductory quest could be beneficial by adding extra bits of narrative and flair for fan favorites in that case.
Perhaps the biggest boon these missions might provide, though, is the gameplay that would go with them. Not only would they be compelling story setups, but they could smoothly translate to players getting a feel for the style and skills of the Hunters, perhaps by offering fans the option to try each one without having to fully commit before finding the ones they like best.Borderlands 4borrowingCyberpunk 2077’s lifepath approach for Vaunt Hunters could result in an excellent way to advance the formula and the Hunters in the latest entry.
Borderlands 3
WHERE TO PLAY
The original shooter-looter returns, packing bazillions of guns and an all-new mayhem-fueled adventure! Blast through new worlds and enemies as one of four brand new Vault Hunters – the ultimate treasure-seeking badasses of the Borderlands, each with deep skill trees, abilities, and customization. Play solo or join with friends to take on insane enemies, score loads of loot and save your home from the most ruthless cult leaders in the galaxy.A MAYHEM-FUELED THRILL RIDEStop the fanatical Calypso Twins from uniting the bandit clans and claiming the galaxy’s ultimate power. Only you, a thrill-seeking Vault Hunter, have the arsenal and allies to take them down.YOUR VAULT HUNTER, YOUR PLAYSTYLEBecome one of four extraordinary Vault Hunters, each with unique abilities, playstyles, deep skill trees, and tons of personalization options. All Vault Hunters are capable of awesome mayhem alone, but together they are unstoppable.LOCK, LOAD, AND LOOTWith bazillions of guns and gadgets, every fight is an opportunity to score new gear. Firearms with self-propelling bullet shields? Check. Rifles that spawn fire-spewing volcanoes? Obviously. Guns that grow legs and chase down enemies while hurling verbal insults? Yeah, got that too.NEW BORDERLANDSDiscover new worlds beyond Pandora, each featuring unique environments to explore and enemies to destroy. Tear through hostile deserts, battle your way across war-torn cityscapes, navigate deadly bayous, and more! QUICK & SEAMLESS CO-OP ACTIONPlay with anyone at any time online or in split-screen co-op, regardless of your level or mission progress. Take down enemies and challenges as a team, but reap rewards that are yours alone – no one misses out on loot.
