Exploring the Chaos: A Deep Dive into the Borderlands Universe

The Borderlands games have always presented fans with the opportunity to experience lots and lots of intense FPS action, combined with the humongous variety of weaponry it has to offer, so that you could shoot your way throughout the storyline the way you like to! The Borderlands series is created by Gearbox and has managed to garner quite the faithful fan-following over the time it has existed and now with the upcoming new Borderlands 4 release date set for September this year, we decided to give the franchise a bit more attention and revise what we got up to now in the previous installments, some of the interactive spin-offs, as well as the latest things surrounding this beloved title.

Even though it would be quite the difficult feat to completely cover the whole timeline, in chronological and in-game order, of this notorious action shooter, mostly because it heavily gets inspired by both science-fiction and fantasy at the same time, we are determined to give it a fair effort and do our best to present you with all the games and let you know how to best play them currently in the special Borderlands Steam packs around. When we add to the mix the Borderlands movie things become even more convoluted, but we would try to cover that one as well, so here are the main events in the life of the popular franchise.

BORDERLANDS

Release date: 20.10.2009

Supported platforms: Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Mac 

The original and initial plot sets the scene on the devastated world of Pandora with the search of a mysterious vault that is said to store incredible tech and weapons, so naturally there are multiple parties seeking it, in order to seize control over the legendary finds located in it, but nobody is really certain if it is actually true or just a myth and not real at all.

During the events of the first game a group of vault hunters get a piece of the Vault key and they get determined to discover the rest of it with the help of a mysterious guardian angel that assists them on the journey. The adventure becomes much tougher when they have to go against different rival factions such as the psychos, skags and mercenary soldiers that are also interested (for their own benefits, of course) in the same legend. There is no lack of (enormous) monster creatures either, with some of them getting towards the bigger and highly-aggressive end of the enemy scale.

Just when the Vault hunters were able to piece the key together it got stolen by the Crimson Lance, which acts as the private army of the Atlas Corporation. Not much later the Vault gets discovered and opened with the key, so all the mysterious tech and heavy-hitting weapons inside did not seem as a major threat, compared to what else was lurking inside.

The game had a very innovative (for its time) content generation system, with an intriguing weapons system that had potential for seemingly unlimited weapon modifications and item drops. It also introduced players to multiple main characters in the Borderlands franchise namely; Mordecai (The Hunter), Roland (The Soldier), Lilith (The Siren), and Brick (as Himself…), all of them having a different set of RPG-like skills, equipment and role in the original Borderlands gameplay storyline.

This title was also able to captivate fans with its unique humor, artistic style (that kind of had a glossy comic layer) on top of everything else and the awesome options to take part in the four-player co-op online or try out the two-player split-screen mode that you could play locally, turning it into a direct hit in the gaming FPS world from the very start. Currently the best way to experience this maniacal title is the Borderlands Game of the Year Edition with all the possible goodies included in 4k HD graphics that got released a couple of years ago in 2023 or in the other setbox packs available. It also comes with the following extras:

• * THE ZOMBIE ISLAND OF DOCTOR NED: You would need to enter the small town known as Jakobs Cove and put an end to the walking “undead” that have infested the place. 
• * MAD MOXXI’S UNDERDOME RIOT: Join the grand opening of Marcus Bank by going through hundreds of opponents in the only competitive arena around where you either become incredibly famous... or not alive at all anymore.
• * THE SECRET ARMORY OF GENERAL KNOXX: Need to get more of the Borderlands story and obtain unique types of loot to possibly use or figure out what to do with? Even though there is plenty already, there is always room for more guns you know…
• * CLAPTRAP’S NEW ROBOT REVOLUTION: This adventure of destruction challenges you to fight against a very vicious new threat! Take down the ongoing massive uprising of your former robotic friends: the Claptraps.

THE BORDER LANDS

Release date: 23.08.2012

Supported platforms: Browser-based online mini game

The Border Lands acted as a sort of a prequel to the release of the then still upcoming Borderlands 2 game. This entry in the franchise had an intentionally implemented retro look and feel and actually tried to pretend that the Border Lands had originally come out in the 1980s for the consoles of the period.

Even though the title had a more defined top-down retro shooter look, players would still get the cast of four intended playable characters for Borderlands 2, each coming with a variety of unique abilities.

You start the game with just a pistol that could then be enhanced with items you discover in the dropped chests that appear on screen when you defeat certain foes. The goal is to manage and survive as long as possible and to upgrade your arsenal with the collected drops in order to carve your highest possible score in the charts!

Even though it was more of a marketing campaign, the game did quite well in raising the interest for the Borderlands 2 release, speaking of...

BORDERLANDS 2

Release date: 18.09.2012

Supported platforms: PlayStation3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android

Next on the list is of course Borderlands 2, which retained much of the same aesthetics, dark comedy and vibe from the original open-world first-person shooter hit game but came out with lots of various improvements and intriguing action. The game featured a gigantic variety of new additions, rides, even more weapons and many more cool upgrades from the first entry in the Borderland series, but the difference here was the introduction to a brand new storyline with just several returning characters. 

The storyline in Borderlands 2 is set to develop five years after the original game and this time the main villain of the game is Handsome Jack (the CEO of Hyperion), who wants nothing else but to rule over the world of Pandora. This time the cast consists of Salvador, Maya, Axton and Zer0 as the hired mercenary Vault Hunters that get double-crossed by their employer and seek revenge on him. They also have their special skills and stats, so you could have fun with any of them in battle!

The game allows you to test skills and if you do not like them to reassign the invested skill points over and over until you are happy with your loadout. The combat has a bit of a different feel but manages to keep its tricky balance accordingly and the new in-game ranking system gives you a vast plethora of ways to customize everything even further, since once again of the more intriguing features in the title are the additional loot types and even more guns and accessories to experiment with.

Not only did the established tradition of Borderlands multiplayer options such as the 4-player co-op and split screen features continue on, but the added hours and hours of Borderlands gameplay modes such as Captain Scarlet and her Pirate’s Booty, Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage, Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt and Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep are going to keep you glued to the screen for very, very long and with the two extra Borderlands Vault Hunter characters (Gaige the Mechromancer and Kreig the Psycho) added to the mix the destructive rage potential becomes even greater!

BORDERLANDS LEGENDS

Release date: 31.10.2012

Supported platforms: iPhone, iPad

Just a bit after the second mainline game in the franchise came Borderlands Legends as an interesting spin-off for the iOS platform. This game took great inspiration from the original Borderlands and has the original cast of characters from the titular hit game.  Just as it was in the initial entry of the Borderlands universe, each of the available heroes has their own preferred specialty, weapons and attack range abilities, within which they would be able to off enemies.

What differs though is the more strategic approach you would need to apply to the locations on the map so that you are able to manage with the constant waves of increasingly stronger deadlier enemies that are coming to your position all the time. There are also bits and pieces of the various missions that are randomly set or defined, making the experience much more unpredictable and with an element of surprise with each next attempt.

Even though there are no doubts about the inspirations of the title, it does actually do enough to make its own distinct interactive experience and immerse players and fans with iOS devices well-enough.

While on the topic of apps, there was another more augmented campaign on December 12, 2013, for which the devs added something special to their collection of games. This was namely the Borderlands LootTheWorld, which was not exactly a game on its own per se, but more like an Easter egg QR Code hunt in the form of a mobile app that was available for both iOS and Android, allowing players to scan barcodes and QR codes, that would then unlock loot boxes and items which could be transferred to the main games by using SHiFT accounts. However, the app lasted for almost two years and got discontinued on October 18, 2015, but during that time our next entry got its release, so let’s shift our focus to it!

BORDERLANDS: THE PRE-SEQUEL!

Release date: 14.10.2014

Supported platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, 

As you may have already guessed it from the title of the game itself, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is actually set in-between two other titles of the franchise. More specifically that would be, after the end of the story we got in the original Borderlands entry in the series, but still some time before Handsome Jack became the CEO of Hyperion in Borderlands 2. 

It is a clever wordplay in its title to properly position another entry among the already existing ones, since fans were really curious and wanted to know more about the events that occurred in the time that was not covered in either of the aforementioned games.

The game features new Vault Hunters such as Athena (The Gladiator), Wilhelm (The Enforcer), Nisha (The Lawbringer) and favorite vulgarly “drunk” robot Claptrap (The Fragtrap), all of whom get employed by a programmer named Jack, consequently they all help him on his dark quest and secretive interests to feed his hunger for ultimate power.

Apart from the missing (up to that moment) storyline, there were multiple other exciting things about Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel such as the fact that it was first game for which the lead developer was not actually Gearbox as they were in support role to 2K Australia. Another major difference was the setting, since the action took place on Elpis, which is Pandora’s moon, where the zero gravity allows for higher jumps and much better control while in the “air”, as well as some pretty cool slam attack moves. The evident lack of oxygen also had effect (and restrictions) on most of the characters apart from the robotic one, who did not feel any discomfort in that regard.

The Borderlands: Pre-Sequel plays relatively the same as Borderlands 2 as it shares features and the cooperative game modes of up to four players like it. As of 2015 they both are a part in the Handsome collection of Borderlands remakes, in which there is a lot of exclusive content and DLCs, so currently that may be the best way to play through them and enjoy the utter mayhem to its maximum levels, but we are however going to discuss the best Borderlands steam pack at the end in the article as well, so keep that in mind!

TALES FROM THE BORDERLANDS

Release date: 25.11.2014

Supported platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Mac, Android, iPad, iPhone

Tales from the Borderlands presented fans of the series with a story that has a bit of a different and more episodic approach, nonetheless it still managed to offer an interesting angle to the games that is worthy and captures the overall themes, humor and visuals that the rest of the titles have. This time around Gearbox looked for some assistance in the development process of the game and they got it from Telltale, who really did mane an outstanding amount of work on the release.

Greatly switching the formula to a more choice-based storyline, the game is split into a five-part Sci-Fi adventure that features a duo of somewhat untrained civilians, who are going to work together in order to try very hard and strike for gold riches in the unwelcoming world of Pandora, that we all cherish so much.

The whole set of scenarios in the game are happening in the same universe as the established mainline Borderlands series of FPS hits, but it comes with just two main protagonists: Rhys (The Company Man) and Fiona (The Con Artist). Each of the featured episodes gives us a better insight into the entertaining escapades of the two characters and their various encounters with other familiar to fans characters, and there are quite a few of them to cover:

EPISODE 1: ZER0 SUM 

(RELEASE DATE: 25.11.2014)

When a very dangerous and important deal goes horribly wrong, Rhys, a Hyperion employee at the time, needs to forge an alliance with Fiona, an infamous con artist. It is all up to them to somehow manage together despite their differences and track down the missing money they both believe is theirs (but not with the intention to share or split them fairly).

EPISODE 2: ATLAS MUGGED 

(RELEASE DATE: 14.03.2015)

As Rhys attempts to break free from the tight grip of Handsome Jack he tries to find out more information about the secretive Gortys Project (funded by Atlas corp before its bankruptcy) as it may contain details regarding the possible location(s) of various vaults on Pandora, while Hyperion is busy with other problems it needs to get sorted.

EPISODE 3: CATCH A RIDE 

(RELEASE DATE: 23.06.2015)

While navigating on a journey through an Atlas terraforming facility in desperate search for the next clue that is going to help them find the secret Vault more easily, Rhys and Fiona get face to face with Queenpin Vallory (the Criminal) in an ambush she set up, luckily they get rescued by Athena and she helps them solve some of their troubles.

EPISODE 4: ESCAPE PLAN BRAVO 

(RELEASE DATE: 18.08.2015)

In episode four Queenpin Vallory does manage to force Rhys and Fiona to travel to Helios to get the next Gortys upgrade from Handsome Jack’s office. There are numerous hurdles on their journey to Helios and even though they get there, there have been losses endured and the tough choices are just starting to unfold for our heroes.

EPISODE 5: THE VAULT OF THE TRAVELLER 

(RELEASE DATE: 20.10.2015)

In the fifth and final episode of the series the location of the Vault and the Stranger finally get revealed when Handsome Jack tries to take control of Hyperion through his evil machinations. It is all a series of both tragic and heroic events that capsulate the finale of the story in a grand manner, although we do not wish to give out any specific spoilers, just in case you have missed out on the series, after all it gets down to the choices you make in-game too.

BORDERLANDS 3

Release date: 13.11.2019

Supported platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox ONE, Google Stadia

As we are getting nearer and nearer to the present day times, it is turn to talk about Borderlands 3 which had a bit of a bumpier release cycle. During the build-up towards the release of this entry in the series there were a few more controversial moments such as forum rants and feuds and even disputes about how the game should be delivered to market as it required quite a big chunk of space (with so many skins and the gazillion number of gun variants) on hard drives.

The plot of the game keeps the very familiar at this point setting of in Pandora, but this time it is overrun by bandits (as if that is something new) and on the brink of imminent collapse. Our protagonists this time are Moze (The Gunner), Fl4k (The Beastmaster), Zane Flynt (The Operative) and Amara (The Siren) and they got mighty skilltrees to upgrade in order to achieve their full potential. They need to go against the dangerous antagonists Tyreen and Troy Calypso with more than 10 billion strong “Children of the Vault” psycho cult, all of them ready to perish in the name of their cause.

The major distinction we got on this wild ride comes as the inclusion of several other masterfully crafted planets that you are able to visit and explore as well. Just as in other Borderlands titles before it, each corner of the planets is full of chests and boxes overflowing with items, so even though you would probably not be able to get all of them, you may wish to keep roaming to find the best and most suitable ones to your play style. Actually, not only are you going to be able to shoot and loot, but in this game there is a gun that shoots other guns….so a new verb needed to be created for the occasion and that would be SHLOOT!

If you are a fan of guns in games, then you would certainly fall really hard for Borderlands 3, as the game is literally littered with them. The game is exceptionally crazy and action-packed; assuring that any gamer looking to shoot many different gun types would get their fix with ease!

With so many items and looting options however there were some expressed criticisms that the menu and inventory interface were a bit cramped and complicated, which could cause a bit of confusion, but hopefully the upcoming title would find a way to sort things neatly in that aspect.

Borderlands the Movie

Release date: 9.08.2024

Before we have a look at what the upcoming game title in the series has given us so far as information, we wanted to give a bit of attention the first official movie release that came out in the summer of last year. Even though it was not the most critically acclaimed game-based film historically, it still had an impact on the gaming scene and was able to boost interest on the Borderlands franchise as whole. 

The film tried to follow the storyline from the first game, it does seem however that films based on games are a tricky matter to tackle, since fans already have built up expectations of what the movie should look and feel like and that vision does not always translate well on the big screens as the ratings for this one were less than favorable on the whole and did not nearly reach its 110$ million budget costs, but now let’s dive back into the upcoming Borderland 4 experience, because probably the franchise is done with films….

BORDERLANDS 4

Release date: 23.09.2025

Supported platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows

The creators of the Borderlands series have had quite the smooth and mostly successful ride up to now, but with the latest installment “just around the summer” of this year, we are likely getting their best work to date since from the official Borderlands 4 trailers we got so far there seems to be a lot to unpack. 

Dashes, gore, grapples, even more unique skills, character builds and of course tons and tons of wacky guns to take down foes with, all awaiting us on the adventure. Even though the formula is probably the same as always, it is one that works greatly and has stood the test of time by refining itself over and over. The devs know that fans crave a wild FPS every now and then that would cause havoc in the industry, so we are ready for it Gearbox! Bring it! 

It looks fast, intense and with much more maneuverability than ever before, a recipe for delightful chaos, in the good sense of things of course! With the latest in the graphics department and Unreal 5 engine technology it definitely looks as polished as possible and quite gnarly to the eye even, which is great and we simply cannot wait for more specifics around it!

It is going to be interesting to see what the latest installment in the series has prepared for Borderlands lovers across the world. There will be new characters to try, a lot of new loot and possibly more than a few exciting technical features to astound us! But until the time for all of that comes you could enjoy the Borderlands Steam featured packs such as the Pandora’s box set to get yourself in shape with the latest versions of the games up to now (including all of the exclusives and add-ons) in one, while we are going to keep you posted about anything else interesting in the world of gaming!