Borderlands 4’s Ambitious Expansion Calls for Its Own Take on Eden-6 Classics

In the exciting realm of Borderlands 4, the planet of Kairos is set to be the game’s primary playground, promising to be the largest yet in the series. Although it won’t be a true open-world experience, Kairos edges closer to that style than any previous setting in the franchise. Considering the vast landscapes of planets like Pandora, the sheer scale of Kairos is bound to be impressive.

Even without the open-world tag, Borderlands 4 is tasked with overcoming a typical pitfall of such games—one that sees them sometimes feeling barren. The solution? Infusing Kairos with bustling activity and titanic beasts reminiscent of memorable creatures from past titles. This approach could not only add depth to the game world but also fling vehicles into the spotlight, making them integral to both exploration and endgame battles.

Switching gears to enemy diversity, Borderlands has always been bold in presenting varied foes. Yet, as the series expands into new territories, the demand for fresh adversaries grows. In Borderlands 4, with Kairos being an expansive canvas, there’s a prime opportunity to introduce new colossal enemies. Drawing inspiration from the massive dinosaurs of Borderlands 3’s Eden-6 could be the perfect move. These creatures offered thrilling moments, even if they only dropped basic loot. It’s a missed opportunity not to feature more grand-scale encounters. With Kairos, this could change, with the game offering either a return of these epic battles or entirely new enemy types. This strategy not only emphasizes quality but also ensures exciting, substantial challenges for players.

Vehicles, too, could greatly benefit from the introduction of these mammoth encounters. Historically, as the game’s difficulty increases, vehicles in Borderlands have often become less useful, sometimes almost irrelevant in combat. Their vulnerability to enemy attacks means they’re sidelined as the game progresses. It’s high time for Borderlands 4 to break this cycle and leverage vehicles as not just transport but as a key component of combat. Progressing beyond fleeting moments like the Carnivora boss battle in Borderlands 3, vehicles should be engaged in frequent and impactful battles against giant foes on Kairos. This represents a chance to truly innovate the vehicular gameplay, anchoring it as a core feature rather than a mere afterthought. The expansive world of Kairos could indeed be the setting where this transformation finally takes place.