Summary
Now that developer Gearbox Software has officially announced and confirmed that the long-suspected fourth major entry forBorderlandsis in the works, hype and fan speculation is once again picking up. It’s been five years and counting since players last saw the Crimson Raiders and the scrappy Vault Hunter crew deal with the Calypso Twins' attempts to usurp power and destroy the planet of Pandora in the process. The nextBorderlandswill thus have a lot to cover, from advancing the narrative and characters to the core framework of its looter-shooter designs.
One of the main loops is, of course, the search for better andrarer loot inBorderlands, whether it be in the form of weapons, shields, or related mods. Alongside the standardized tier of conveniently color-coded loot that the franchise helped codify,Borderlandsalso contains a sort of subclass commonly known as red text items. Equipment that drops with these descriptions has various special effects beyond normal ones. However, they can also be opaque about what the true gameplay impact may be.Borderlands 4could take the opportunity to tweak red text gear to make it easier to understand, while simultaneously iterating on its functionality.
Borderlands 4 Could Do Better With Red Text Weapons
Borderlands' Red Text Items Have Been a Double-Edged Sword
While not technically part of the highest legendary tier, and the actual percentage rates aren’t exactly known,loot of any level inBorderlandshas a chance of dropping with red text and its related effects. The descriptions are often quite humorous, usually a play on a phrase or referencing other pop culture properties and memes:
As amusing and clever as some of these may be, the issue is that none provide any indication as to what the attached effects actually are. And these effects themselves can range from incredibly overpowered and perfectly complementary to a givenBorderlandsclass and build, to being nigh completely useless with heavy disadvantageous drawbacks, rendering them relegated to gimmicky, novelty effects that can clash with a player’s specific setup and dissuade their use.
How Borderlands 4 Can Streamline and Improve Red Text Gear
ThenextBorderlandsinstallmentwill almost certainly see red text gear return in some form, and the basic idea of it is sturdy and fitting to the franchise philosophy. It provides another avenue for fun experimentation and rewarding surprises when everything clicks into place. To assist with this, though, perhapsBorderlands 4could include a simple “expand” or “more info” option when looking at a particular item’s description, which then breaks down the mechanical bonuses and other effects so that players have an idea of if, and how, they want to integrate them into their arsenals. This would also have the side effect of keeping them hidden at first for those who do want to discover the properties on their own.
Another way to vastly improve upon the existing framework would be for Gearbox to allow for players to swap the text, and thus the effects, from one weapon to another, in a sort of hybrid version of crafting of transmogrifying; two elements that would also be excellent to see generally in the next entry. This would provide yet another method to maximize efficiency while keeping the uniqueness inherent in red text items intact. Hopefully,Borderlands 4will advance its structurein this area and elsewhere for a satisfying modern experience.
Borderlands 3
WHERE TO PLAY
The original shooter-looter returns, packing bazillions of guns and an all-new mayhem-fueled adventure! Blast through new worlds and enemies as one of four brand new Vault Hunters – the ultimate treasure-seeking badasses of the Borderlands, each with deep skill trees, abilities, and customization. Play solo or join with friends to take on insane enemies, score loads of loot and save your home from the most ruthless cult leaders in the galaxy.A MAYHEM-FUELED THRILL RIDEStop the fanatical Calypso Twins from uniting the bandit clans and claiming the galaxy’s ultimate power. Only you, a thrill-seeking Vault Hunter, have the arsenal and allies to take them down.YOUR VAULT HUNTER, YOUR PLAYSTYLEBecome one of four extraordinary Vault Hunters, each with unique abilities, playstyles, deep skill trees, and tons of personalization options. All Vault Hunters are capable of awesome mayhem alone, but together they are unstoppable.LOCK, LOAD, AND LOOTWith bazillions of guns and gadgets, every fight is an opportunity to score new gear. Firearms with self-propelling bullet shields? Check. Rifles that spawn fire-spewing volcanoes? Obviously. Guns that grow legs and chase down enemies while hurling verbal insults? Yeah, got that too.NEW BORDERLANDSDiscover new worlds beyond Pandora, each featuring unique environments to explore and enemies to destroy. Tear through hostile deserts, battle your way across war-torn cityscapes, navigate deadly bayous, and more! QUICK & SEAMLESS CO-OP ACTIONPlay with anyone at any time online or in split-screen co-op, regardless of your level or mission progress. Take down enemies and challenges as a team, but reap rewards that are yours alone – no one misses out on loot.
