Borderlands 4is right around the corner, and it could wind up being a pivotal entry for the franchise. Not in terms of gameplay—everything aboutBorderlands 4suggests that it will be a worthwhile continuation of the series' iconic, frenetic looter shooter gameplay formula—but rather with respect to dialog and overall tone.
It’s no great secret that theBorderlandsseries has been heavily criticized for its at-times painfully awkward and cringe-inducing dialog and humor. Popular opinion seems to indicate that the first two entries in the series were tolerable, andTales from the Borderlandshas received particularly high praisefor its writing chops, but thatBorderlands 3is where things went south. Indeed,Borderlands 3’s dialog is often an insufferable blend of juvenile gross-out humor and overly enthusiastic jokes delivered with a sense of desperation; the game comes across like it’s trying too hard to be funny. Luckily,Borderlands 4’s narrative director Sam Winkler has indicated that the sequel will cut down on the “toilet humor” of its predecessor, which will be imperative to its success.
Winkler also specifically addressedBorderlands’ pop culture nods, joking that he would “cry real tears” if the word Skibidi appeared in the game, referencing the Skibidi Toilet meme that’s become so popular with younger demographics.
Why Borderlands 4’s Reworked Tone Is Doubly Important
Borderlands 3’s Humor Was Rough, but the Borderlands Movie Was Cataclysmic
Though not enough to completely save the game’s reputation, manyBorderlands 3players have suggested a solution for those frustrated with its dialog: simply ignore it. PlayingBorderlands 3muted, with music or a podcast playing in the background, has been prescribed as a popular cure for players fed up with its cringe-worthy writing, and this seems to work for many—Borderlands 3’s gameplay is quite great, after all. But while this band-aid fix might work for a video game, no such remedy is available for a film, although many of those who went to see Eli Roth’sBorderlandsadaptation last year likely wish there were.
Bad video game movies are a dime a dozen, and have been for decades, but theBorderlandsadaptation received a level of widespread criticismreserved for only the most despised projects. Detractors cited the film’s messy and derivative story, bad action, and awkward acting as reasons for moviegoers to steer clear, but the signature “Borderlands 3” comedy was in full force as well. The film’s renditions of characters like Tiny Tina and Claptrap drew particular ire from audiences, as their attempts at humor were especially forced and uncomfortable. One thing’s for sure: theBorderlandsmovie did not help uplift the franchise’s reputation in the wake ofBorderlands 3.
Borderlands 4 Will Have to Toe the Line Between Annoying and Boring
While it’s not for everyone, the irreverentcomedy of previousBorderlandsgamesis a big part of the series' identity. Since its first entry,Borderlandshas never taken itself too seriously, always injecting its world with a healthy dose of lightheartedness, so while it will be important forBorderlands 4to avoid the ham-fisted pop-culture references and bizarre, unwieldy humorous stylings ofBL3and the movie, it may be equally important for it to retain its childlike comedy chops.
This is easier said than done, but there’s reason to believe that Gearbox will at least attempt to thread the needle when it comes toBorderlands 4’s tone. WhileSam Winkler has said thatBL4will have less toilet humorand awkward pop culture references, he also said that he “can’t promise there will be no toilets,” suggesting that he understands the importance of juvenile humor inBorderlands. Audiences will simply have to wait and see how this next chapter moldsBorderlands' identity moving forward.
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.
