From the moment of its first reveal, it’s clear thatBorderlands 4has been doing its best to create some space between itself and its predecessors by exploring different avenues of innovation in its gameplay and narrative. At the same time, the blood ofBorderlandsstill very much runs in its veins, which means it can be expected to follow familiar patterns the series has established over its 15-year lifespan. Unfortunately, these patterns aren’t always the easiest to digest, andBorderlands 4is already showing some signs of heading in that very direction if its returning characters are any indication.
While there are likely even more that have yet to be revealed,Borderlands 4’s returning characterroster includes some of its most memorable personalities, for better or worse. From the iconic Claptrap to everyone’s favorite bar owner Moxxi, the upcoming sequel is poised to not only do a little bit of fan service but also keep itself grounded in theBorderlandsuniverse. However, while it might be nice to see some of these faces return to the fray, one or both of them could be doomed from the start, if the series' history has anything to say about it.
Borderlands 4’s Returning Vault Hunters Set Up a Familiar but Painful Pattern
Zane and Amara Are Returning Vault Hunters From Borderlands 3
While their roles inBorderlands 4’s narrative are still unknown,Borderlands 3’s Zaneand Amara are both slated to return in the next entry. TheBorderlandsseries has always featured at least one returning Vault Hunter in each new installment, often as a familiar face to help bridge the gap between generations. But that familiarity has also come at a cost, as returning Vault Hunters haven’t always made it out alive, and this might especially be the case withBorderlands 4, given its darker, more serious tone.
Of course, not all returning characters carry the same level of risk. Claptrap and Moxxi, while important, have generally remained out of harm’s way in past entries, largely serving as comic relief or side mission staples.Vault Hunters, on the other hand, tend to be at the heart of the action, which puts them in a far more vulnerable position. That distinction matters, because if Borderlands 4 wants to make a serious statement with its darker tone, then it makes more sense for it to target characters who players have had firsthand experience with.
Zane, Amara, or Both of Them Could Be on the Chopping Block
Historically, theBorderlandsseries has killed off one returning Vault Hunter in each installment, which doesn’t bode well for Zane and Amara inBorderlands 4. For example, Roland, a playable Vault Hunter from the originalBorderlands, was slain inBorderlands 2, and Maya, the playableSiren fromBorderlands 2, was killed inBorderlands 3. While this pattern has only been established through two instances, there is enough reason to expect it could continue inBorderlands 4with Zane, Amara, or both of them.
Returning Vault Hunters haven’t always made it out alive, and this might especially be the case withBorderlands 4, given its darker, more serious tone.
In some way,Borderlands 4needs to increase the stakes if it hopes to sell its darker tone, and doing so would also make the Timekeeper a more sinister threat. As such, it’s clear that one way it could accomplish this is by continuing its tradition of killing off a returning Vault Hunter, and in the case ofBorderlands 4, that Vault Hunter is either Zane or Amara. If it wanted to go the extra mile, however, it might just decide to slay both of them. Either way, players should keep an eye on these two characters in particular asBorderlands 4nears its release date.
