Ever since the release of the firstBorderlands, the Space Western series has added multiple entries, spin-offs, and DLC packs that have broadened the in-game universe in numerous ways. From its hectic action to its distinct comic book-like style, theBorderlandsfranchise has set itself apart from many other action-RPGs or sci-fi FPS titles, and fans are keen to see where it could go next. WhileBorderlands 4doesn’t have any official details or a confirmed release date just yet, there’s still been plenty of speculation about what the next chapter of the franchise could entail.
However, even though there’s been almost a decade and a half since the launch of thefirstBorderlandsgame and three subsequent mainline titles, there are a few things the series hasn’t managed to top since its first outing. When it comes to shaping the next installment, 2K would do well to look back to the originalBorderlandsfor inspiration for a handful of aspects at the very least. Some of its gameplay might not hold up, and there are a fair few elements that definitely improved over time as theBorderlandsseries progressed, but none of the games have quite managed to match up to the first entry’s presentation of Pandora.
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The Original Borderlands' Impact
Set in the far-off fictional future of 2864, the firstBorderlandsgame was an action-packed introduction to a unique world. The planet of Pandora, a hellscape of deadly wastelands and dangerous wildlife that became a battleground for corporate greed, is the perfect setting forBorderlands' anarchic action. The first also game manages to introduce the integral location in a memorable way. With its intro track, scene setting, and general vibe, the originalBorderlandssucceeds in capturing the magic of this otherwise fairly bleak setting and marries it so neatly with the rest of the game.
Although otherBorderlandsgames return to Pandora, including the Telltale Games episodic adventureTales from the Borderlands, it’s definitely hard to top players' first impression. The Pandora that gamers encounter in the originalBorderlandsfeels like a proper wasteland, with sporadic (and more often than not suitably psychotic) inhabitants, isolated locations, and a visual design that believably conveys the brutality of the desolate planet.
Some aspects ofBorderlands' gameplay may not hold up after this many years, but its location and the way it’s presented are certainly not among them. It remains to be seen how the nextBorderlandshandles its own settings, but it would do well to pay attention to how the firstBorderlandstreats Pandora.
How Borderlands Compares to Later Entries
TheBorderlandsseriesis known for its memorable openings, perfectly-pitched musical cues, and generally impeccable vibes when it comes to introducing its characters and the main crux of its stories. The firstBorderlandssets the tone for the entire franchise, and it’s hard to find a subsequent game that managed to live up to its standard in this regard. Its sense of humor and style were established immediately, and the first glimpse of the wasted expanse of Pandora and its surprisingly likable inhabitants couldn’t really be matched by any of its sequels.
With each entry following the first game, theBorderlandsfranchise made plenty of improvements and continued to build on what had been established by each predecessor. The visuals were elevated, the gameplay became more complex and enjoyable, and the characters and storylines became more involved and eccentric as the franchise settled into its grove.
Withspinoffs likeTiny Tina’s WonderlandstheBorderlandsIP has proved that it has mileage outside the mainline games, and there are so many exciting directions the series could go in next. Regardless, there’s still something special about the firstBorderlandsgame, and it will be hard for any future installments to measure up in the eyes of some fans.
Borderlandsis available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
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