After experimenting with a couple of spin-offs, Gearbox Software is finally returning to the mainlineBorderlandsseries with the upcomingBorderlands 4. Despite the relative popularity of the franchise, the excitement for the nextBorderlandsgame has been somewhat muted compared to other high-profile AAA releases. A lot of fans have expressed skepticism towards the title, due in part to the mixed reception of the last three installments in the series, likeBorderlands 3. Controversial statements made by Gearbox’s CEO regarding the price ofBorderlands 4have also upset a large portion of the franchise’s fanbase.
From the outside looking in, though,Borderlands 4looks fairly promising.TheBorderlands 4State of Playthat Sony and Gearbox held a few weeks ago gave players a comprehensive look at the gameplay of the game, and it impressed many fans. Gearbox hasn’t shown anything egregiously bad about the title so far, and the company seems to be addressing fan feedback by dialing down the over-the-top humor ofBorderlands 3. Some of the new features inBorderlands 4, however, could become problematic in the game if they aren’t handled properly.
Borderlands 4 is Apparently Going to Have Some Massive Skill Trees
There Will Be More Skills Per Character in BL4 than in BL2 and 3 Combined
Two of Gearbox Software’s executives, Randy Pitchford and Randy Varnell, revealed during a recent fanfest event thatBorderlands 4would have larger skill trees than any of the other entries in the franchise. Like previousBorderlandsinstallments, the game will feature four playable Vault Hunters, each with their own distinct skill trees. The characters will also have three of their own action skills, which players can alternate between at any time. According to Pitchford, though, there are “more skills per character” inBorderlands 4(courtesy of PCGamesN) than there were inBorderlands 2and3combined.
While it’s great that Gearbox isn’t resting on its laurels withBorderlands 4, sometimes bigger isn’t always better. In many games, skill trees typically end up being bad if they’re too large in scope. The more unlockable skills a game has, the less interesting and unique those skills sometimes become. Instead of creating inventive abilities that players can obtain, some developers tend to fillbig skill treeswith simple stat modifiers. Earning points to slightly increase a character’s stealth attribute, for example, isn’t nearly as exciting as, say, a skill that makes enemies explode upon being killed.
The Borderlands Games are Known for Having Unique Skills, Which is Something Borderlands 4 Should Preserve
As the progenitors of the looter shooter genre, theBorderlandsgames are known for having unique and interchangeable skills. Players canpick aBorderlands 4Vault Hunterof their choosing and come up with tons of powerful builds and skill combinations to turn their character into the ultimate killing machine.Borderlands 2and3, in particular, have arguably some of the most interesting skills in the entire franchise.Borderlands 2had a skill called Money Shot, which gave players the last shot in their gun magazine a huge damage buff, whileBorderlands 3had a Tunnel Vision skill that increased a player’s accuracy and handling abilities the faster they moved.
Gearbox’s Randy Varnell claimed that a group of fourBorderlands 4players with the same Vault Hunter class and action skills could have completely different play styles from each other, depending on the abilities they unlocked in their respective skill trees. IfBorderlands 4is indeed able to maintainthe skill diversity of its predecessors, as Varnell has suggested, then the game may have the most customizable Vault Hunters in the entire series. However, it remains to be seen whether this will actually be the case.Borderlands 4having a high quantity of skills is great and all, but Gearbox needs to ensure that these skills are of a high quality before adding them to the game.
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.
