Going into 2025, Border 4 One of my most anticipated games of the year. Echoing many other fans, I was a bit disappointed Border 3 When it was first released, and saw Border 4 As a chance to get the series back on track after that high Border 2. However, three months later and I have given up on everything Save limit 4And it has begun to me that my expectations for the series are very high.
until today, Border 2 The series is held up on a pedestal as a shining example of what could be. The most praise the game has received is for its writing, with Handsome Jack in particular as a regular contender for best video game villain of all time. What's more than that Border 2The gameplay loop and post-launch DLC have made it a game that is very replayable, even 13 years after its original release. With all the accolades that have been piled on Border 2I think it's easy to assume that it set the standard for the franchise, but looking at the entries that have been released since then proves that success. Border 2 May have been more of a one-off than a trend-setter.
Borderlands 4 proves that Borderlands 2 isn't the norm, it's the exception
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel attempted to replicate the success of Borderlands 2 to mixed results
Another entry was released later Border 2 An attempt was made to continue the success of Handsome Jack's story by telling a prequel story of how the villain players saw in the previous game came to be. While this aspect Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel While largely successful, frustrating mechanics like O2 meter management and the constant low gravity on Elpis made its gameplay distract from an otherwise solid story. These gameplay mechanics would be corrected in the future, but the story of Handsome Jack was essentially over at that point.
Borderlands 3's story was seen as a rare misstep since BL2
That's not a secret Border 3There is a dramatic drop in quality compared to the story of Border 2. While I don't find the Calypso Twins as irritating as other fans, Border 3The overuse of “tolliate humor” and its effective villain left something to be desired after Handsome Jack's subtle and engaging arc. Border 4 This feedback was taken into consideration, but could have been improved a lot, as I felt many of its new cast members were bland, by-the-numbers characters — and, ironically, I thought Zane and Amara were turning away. Border 3 The game had the most interesting arcs.
Borderlands 4's massive play count drop-off shows that this isn't what Saviors fans wanted.
Border 3 And now Border 4 Each has innovated and improved on the overall combat gameplay of the series, but still fails to hold the landing when it comes to longevity. Border 4 The game has seen a dramatic drop in players since launch, with just over 6,000 players currently sitting on Steam when the game peaked at over 300,000 a few months ago. This drop-off can largely be attributed to the game's pathetic post-launch support driving players away, but I think the reason to replay the main campaign with a new character is less because of how straightforward and forgettable it is.
I've replayed it Border 2 Many times over the years I have felt compelled to re-experience, and replay, that story Border 3 Many times too. with Border 4I feel like I've seen enough of the game that nothing keeps me coming back to it after finishing the main story. However, it can still change once the first major Border 4 DLC drops.
After three games and it is clear that the limit of 3 and 4 is more representative of the series than 2
OpenCritic score for the series after 2 frontiers
These numbers paint a picture of who border area Series that many fans are not willing to admit: Border 2 are outliers and not normal. No other game since has been able to match that accolade Border 2 Received, with both Border 3 and 4 being closer to each other than 2. What this tells me is that it is recent border area While the games are reflective of the series as a whole Border 2 There was only one-off exemplary entry that may have set expectations too high for others to live up to.
Another Borderlands 2 is unlikely, and fans may need to acknowledge the strength of the other entries
The lesson these numbers teach is not to jump into every new one border area Expecting the game to “fix” it is more like the franchise Border 2. I don't think the franchise is broken, and that's what I generally like Border 3 Done with the story, except for a few overused dialogue lines, and wished Border 4 It would have taken more risks with its story. each border area The game has its own strengths that make it worth playing: The pre-sequel Have fun building Vault Hunter, Border 3 Great gun play, and Border 4 There is a dense open world to explore.
However, none of these games have the same level of nuance and storytelling Border 2 It does, and that's okay. For me, being a fan of border area The series is about enjoying more than just the games Border 2And I can honestly say that every border area There are aspects of the game I've played that I've enjoyed and aspects that I've found frustrating. Many fans watch Border 2 With rose-colored glasses, and it hurts the rest of the franchise. Handsome Jack may be a once-in-a-lifetime character, but players shouldn't miss the forest with other characters for the trees. border area games simply because they don't have handsome jack-tear villains.
- issued
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September 12, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases, User Interaction
