Gamescom 2024 got off to a bang with a highly anticipated announcement from Gearbox Games, with fans going crazy for the announcement of Borderlands 4. The first main entry in the Borderlands franchise since 2019’s Borderlands 3, Borderlands 4 is slated to release in 2025, with fans excited about what the fourth main entry has to offer. From its first entry, the Borderlands franchise has amazed players with its art style, wacky humor, and fun looter shooter gameplay.
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With all the excitement being built for Borderlands 4, it’s important to take into account some of the legendary characters that the games have introduced players to, from the villainous Handsome Jack to the energetic Tiny Tina. With so many incredible characters to explore in the Borderlands franchise, it’s important for players to remember the epic stories these characters have been a part of. With that being said, some characters have perhaps already their perfect ending and shouldn’t return for the fourth entry into the landmark first-person shooter series.
1
Lilith
One Of The Six Sirens Who Got A Heroic End
- Lilith was last seen risking her life to save Pandora and Elpis
- Not yet confirmed to be alive or dead
Lilith was introduced in the first game of the franchise as a playable character and returned in each entry thereafter and is a favorite for many fans. In Borderlands 2, the search and subsequent death of her lover, Roland, provides an emotional core to the game.
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In Borderlands 3, Lilith returned to provide missions to vault hunters and, ultimately upon the defeat of Tyreen, risked her life to save Pandora and Elpis by giving up her siren powers, with her fate not yet confirmed. With this sacrifice being made, it would be an appropriate ending to Lilith’s character arc, but with her mass popularity, it is unlikely that Lilith won’t feature in Borderlands 4.
2
BALEX
The Tediore AI NPC Got To Fulfill His Purpose In Borderlands 3
- BALEX got to fulfill the purpose he was made for in Borderlands 3
- Installed on a plush teddy, this AI was featured briefly but continued to broadcast announcements following his installation
BALEX was first introduced in Borderlands 3‘s mission “The Family Jewel” and his quick wit and plushie design made him a memorable addition to the game. Following a hostile takeover from GenIVIV of The Family Jewel ship, BALEX assists in taking back control and retrieving a vault key fragment.
Following the completion of this mission, BALEX is uploaded to The Family Jewel and restores the ship, completing his story arc along the way. Despite his popularity, this should be considered the perfect ending for BALEX, and he shouldn’t return in Borderlands 4.
3
Athena
The Legendary Assassin And Retired Bounty Hunter
- Athena was a playable character in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
- Most recently appeared in Tales from the Borderlands coming out of her retirement from bounty-hunting
Athena, a former lance assassin for the Crimson Lance and a bounty hunter, was featured as a playable character in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. After Lilith’s men were ordered to kill her, The Watcher saved her from a brutal death.
Since reappearing in Tales from the Borderlands, Athena has retired from bounty hunting before being thrust back into her old life, hired by Felix to kill both Fiona and Sasha. However, depending on the player’s choices, Athena and Janey are revealed to be getting married. With this ending in mind, Athena should happily retire and live a quiet life not featured in Borderlands 4.
4
Handsome Jack
The Big Bad Of The Franchise Had His Time In The Sun
- Handsome Jack was the iconic villain defeated in Borderlands 2
- Jack’s doppelganger Timothy Lawrence appeared in Borderlands 3
Handsome Jack was the villain that set the benchmark for the Borderlands franchise, always believing himself to be the story’s hero despite his devilish acts. Having tried to murder the vault hunters countless times, he was finally killed at the climax of Borderlands 2.
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While Handsome Jack is an unforgettable addition to the Borderlands franchise, it might be time to let the egotistical maniac go in Borderlands 4.
However, Jack is known to have doppelgangers, including Timothy Lawrence, and could create clones. This could potentially give Gearbox Studios the option to bring back Handsome Jack to play a key role in Borderlands 4. However, the satisfaction of finally defeating Jack would be undone if this were to happen, so it would serve everyone well for him not to return in Borderlands 4.
5
Janey Springs
The Junk Dealer On Elpis Has A Potential Happy Ending
- First appeared in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
- Her marriage to Athena should offer an ending to Janey’s story
Janey Springs played a supporting role in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel and Tales from the Borderlands, being a junk dealer on Pandora’s moon, Elpis. Throughout the story, Janey enlists the vault hunters to kill Deadlift and offers side missions from her shop in Concordia.
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For the same reason as Athena, Janey Springs shouldn’t return in Borderlands 4. In Tales from the Borderlands, Janey is revealed to be marrying Athena and therefore should be allowed the opportunity to be missing in Borderlands 4 unless their relationship or its potential undoing could provide a relevant addition to the story.
6
Sir Hammerlock
His Wedding To Wainwright Jakobs Provides A Perfect End To His Story
- Sir Hammerlock has been featured as an NPC in the Borderlands franchise
- The wedding of Hammerlock and Wainwright Jakobs was the conclusion of the Gun, Love, and Tentacles DLC
Sir Hammerlock is a memorable figure in the Borderlands franchise with his robotic arm and smashed glasses. Sir Hammerlock provided multiple side quests to players and was the title character of the DLC, Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt.
During the Gun, Love, and Tentacles DLC for Borderlands 3, players are invited to the wedding of Sir Hammerlock and Wainwright Jakobs, the heir to the Jakobs Corporation. The wedding provides a perfect closing chapter for Sir Hammerlock’s story and therefore should not return in Borderlands 4, although it will disappoint many fans of the bold and refined adventurer.
7
Krieg
The Playable Psycho Of Borderlands 2 Should Skip Borderlands 4
- Available as a playable character in Borderlands 2
- Last seen dealing with his psycho side of himself
Krieg is a complex character within the Borderlands franchise, a former bounty hunter who became a psycho, which split his personality in two. One-half of Krieg craves violence, while the other side of Krieg is relatively sane when compared to other psychos.
Here lies the reason why the version of Krieg fans know should not return. During the DLC, Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck players step into the mind of Krieg as he wrestles with the grief of losing Maya, providing closure for the character, for now. Krieg not being featured in Borderlands 4 would allow for the emotional pathos of the DLC to further resonate with the character and players alike and allow for a changed Krieg to potentially appear in a DLC.
