The next Borderlands game taking on a multiverse could lead to a wild story, but it’s worth wondering if it would be best for the game.
The next Borderlands game could open a multiverse, but there are just as many advantages as disadvantages for such a plan. While the Borderlands series is certainly bizarre, it has yet to explore the idea of a multiverse. The end result of such a move could be the most intriguing installment yet, but it could also backfire if not handled well. This is especially true considering how frequently the idea of multiverses has been appearing in various media as of late. The question of whether the idea belongs in Borderlands is also worth debating for the future.
There’s no doubt that Gearbox will go all out with Borderlands 4. After all, Borderlands is Gearbox‘s most well-known property, and with the series continually growing in size, one would expect Borderlands 4 to be bigger and better than ever. That’s one reason to believe that an idea involving a multiverse could come to fruition. By expanding the scale of the story, it could generate several new plot ideas that wouldn’t have been available before. While it’s far from the only way to continue Borderlands‘ story, it’s certainly one to consider. Plus, with Borderlands‘ signature wackiness, it’s liable to have some ideas to work with the concept.
A Multiversal Focus in Borderlands Could Help or Hurt the Series
Pros: A Multiverse Offers Plenty of New Opportunities
There are some definite advantages to Borderlands 4 doing something new with a multiverse-themed plotline. Of course, the idea of characters meeting alternate versions of themselves, either as friend or foe, is an excellent concept worth exploring, as is exploring alternate versions of Pandora. This could even lead to colorful new characters like a good version of infamous villain Handsome Jack, as well as a crossover with the entirely fictional universe of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, since it featured several variants of Borderlands characters and a twist on its gameplay. The sheer number of possibilities that a multiverse could bring to Borderlands is difficult to ignore.
Cons: Introducing a Multiverse Could Derail Borderlands’ Existing Storyline
Despite a multiverse’s potential, it could provide a challenge that Borderlands 4 would have to overcome. Introducing multiple universes carries a significant risk of overcomplicating the game’s lore. While the Borderlands series has kept consistent continuity, its stories have refrained from being overly complex. The addition of several universes and character counterparts runs the risk of making the story too complicated for its own good. While the ideas may be fun, the writers would need to keep from overextending themselves, as indulging too much in multiversal shenanigans could risk causing the ongoing story to become more confusing than it needs to be.
Borderlands Should Ultimately Make the Decision That is Best For the Series
If Borderlands decides to take on a multiverse, it will need to be done carefully. Using it to explore unanswered questions about the Borderlands universe would be a good way to go about it, for instance. Perhaps the Vault Hunters need to jump between dimensions to defeat Borderlands 4‘s villain, or maybe the villain themselves draws the Vault Hunters into an alternate Pandora. The idea of revealing a Borderlands multiverse is not a bad one, but it is one that carries a fair number of risks. It’s not a full positive or negative, but Borderlands 4 would need to be careful if the series goes in that direction.
Since there’s still not an announced release date for Borderlands 4, fans may be speculating for quite a while. However, with everything set up for Borderlands 4 already, the real question may be whether there would be enough room for a multiverse. If it can be used as a springboard for the next phase of Borderlands‘ story, then it could be the wild new direction for the next installment to focus on. There are some definite strengths and weaknesses that a Borderlands multiverse could bring, but whether it will happen is up to the developers to decide.
