Summary
- Borderlands 4 should focus on quality over quantity when it comes to loot options and weapon variety.
- Following Diablo 4's loot system could lead Borderlands 4 to make impactful changes in its itemization strategy.
- With a history of great guns and loot, Borderlands 4 must maintain its unique and fun drops without overwhelming players.
In a strange twist, after a long amount of time when leaks and rumors about its existence and what it would entail ran rampant, Borderlands 4 has finally been announced as part of the Gearbox acquisition deal just recently. Arguably one of the most anticipated games of recent years due to the Borderlands series' smashing success, accompanied by the tidal wave that was Tiny Tina's Wonderlands on launch, Borderlands 4 can do a lot of things right by sticking to its roots and identity without reinventing the wheel. However, the many trials and tribulations that Diablo 4 endured since launch as a fellow looter RPG shouldn't go unnoticed, and Borderlands 4 should adapt its loot and itemization systems accordingly - even if it means breaking a series-long tradition.
In an effort for the series to grow ever larger and swagger with confidence and humor, each Borderlands game tends to be a bigger version of the previous chapter, doubling down on almost everything. This includes Borderlands' Vault Hunters, NPCs, lore, explosions, enemy types, weirdly funny names for pretty much anything, and obviously guns. Guns are a big part of Borderlands games, and it's only natural that Borderlands 4 will follow suit - but it shouldn't aim for quantity over quality.
The Next Borderlands Game Could Prove Less is More With Its Most Important Feature
Borderlands constantly experimented with how its core loop component worked, and BL4 may stand to gain from taking a streamlined approach.
Borderlands 4 Shouldn't Follow Diablo 4's Footsteps Regarding Loot
Borderlands 4's Loot is Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place After Diablo 4
Borderlands 2 has around 17,5 million guns available, although these are murky waters due to how this number is actually calculated, considering that some variants of the same weapon count multiple times, and then even more when factoring in rarity. But a big part of the hype and marketing behind Borderlands 2 was that it would have more, bigger, and better guns than its predecessor, something that became a meme of sorts for the series, but also a tenet. In fact, Borderlands 3 had a billion guns, and Borderlands 4 may have to shoot even higher.
But this is a big looter-shooter problem, and Borderlands 4 having a trillion guns would only exacerbate it. While this is part of the series' identity at this point, games like Borderlands have struggled with itemization, and the series itself has too in modern entries. As such, the fact that Diablo 4's itemization was received poorly due to the multitude of perks every item is able to roll, diluting the loot pool and making upgrades feel scarce and unsubstantial, maybe it's time for Borderlands to recognize this trend can be a problem.
Borderlands 4 Needs Quality Over Quantity, Not A Trillion Guns
Diablo 4's Itemization System Begs For Changes to Borderlands 4's Loot Formula
Borderlands' guns and loot are a key part of the series' gameplay loop, which is founded on getting better weapons to shoot enemies with at all times, with the best ones typically being Legendary in terms of rarity. As such, having a large array of guns to pick from and loot is essential to make new drops feel special and to make different combinations feel powerful enough. With Borderlands 3's builds, for example, some guns were just the best-in-slot, and they became chase items. Borderlands 4 shouldn't move away from this philosophy, but it should be more earnest with it.
So, instead of the potential "on trillion guns" in Borderlands 4, Gearbox could still increase its weapon number compared to Borderlands 3, but maybe tone it down a notch to avoid ending up with too many useless weapons that are just numbers and not true upgrades. Although things are changing, Diablo 4's loot system is ultimately flawed because it's hard to find items that can make an impact on a given playthrough unless they are some of the uber-rare Uniques. As such, Borderlands 4 can maybe add new weapon archetypes or more meaningful perks to its loot pool in order to have drops be unique and fun as always, but not in a way where just one tiny difference between two guns makes them count as separate weapons altogether.
Borderlands 3
- Released
- September 13, 2019
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 RIDE
Stop 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 PLAYSTYLE
Become 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 LOOT
With 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 BORDERLANDS
Discover 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 ACTION
Play 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.
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Publisher(s)
- 2K Games
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Franchise
- Borderlands
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical or Horizontal
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- How Long To Beat
- 25 Hours
- Metascore
- 91
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-4 Players
