Summary
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 4has finally been announced as part of the Gearbox acquisition deal just recently. Arguably one of the most anticipated games of recent years due to theBorderlandsseries' smashing success, accompanied by the tidal wave that wasTiny Tina’s Wonderlandson launch,Borderlands 4can do a lot of things right by sticking to its roots and identity without reinventing the wheel. However, the many trials and tribulations thatDiablo 4endured since launch as a fellow looter RPG shouldn’t go unnoticed, andBorderlands 4should 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, eachBorderlandsgame tends to be a bigger version of the previous chapter, doubling down on almost everything. This includesBorderlands' Vault Hunters, NPCs, lore, explosions, enemy types, weirdly funny names for pretty much anything, and obviously guns. Guns are a big part ofBorderlandsgames, and it’s only natural thatBorderlands 4will follow suit - but it shouldn’t aim for quantity over quality.
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 2has 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 behindBorderlands 2was 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 3had a billion guns, andBorderlands 4may have to shoot even higher.
But this is a big looter-shooter problem, andBorderlands 4having a trillion gunswould only exacerbate it. While this is part of the series' identity at this point, games likeBorderlandshave struggled with itemization, and the series itself has too in modern entries. As such, the fact thatDiablo 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 forBorderlandsto 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 lootare 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. WithBorderlands 3’s builds, for example, some guns were just the best-in-slot, and they became chase items.Borderlands 4shouldn’t move away from this philosophy, but it should be more earnest with it.
So, instead of the potential “on trillion guns” inBorderlands 4, Gearbox could still increase its weapon number compared toBorderlands 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 systemis 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 4can maybe add new weapon archetypes or more meaningful perks to its loot pool 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
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.
