For all its loot-based progression and frenetic first-person shooter gameplay, border areas has a surprising amount of knowledge and world building that satisfies even those who play games to enjoy a great story and immersive setting rather than a satisfying gameplay loop. Tales from the Borderlands was a shining example of a studio taking advantage of this, as Telltale created a story that used so many of Pandora’s unique visual and atmospheric quirks to carry a truly emotional and heartfelt story over five episodes. The first game was released in 2014 and drove the jacket tails of 2012 The living Dead as the company’s popularity was at its peak. New stories from the border countries is a sequel fans have been looking forward to, and will try to recapture the magic.
Now developed in-house by Gearbox Studios, New stories from the border countries presents a different cast of characters to follow, and will drop the episodic format Telltale has relied on all these years. In light of this, it’s important that the title retains at least some of the heart of the original. While Rhys and Fiona’s unwilling relationship was the main focus of the 2014 project, the best shot was the return of the devilish Handsome Jack. He is one of the best villains in gaming, and New stories from the border countries must deliver a strong antagonist to avoid feeling a disappointing follow-up.
Borderlands history with villains
2009’s border areas was a promising first step in a potentially fantastic franchise, but it wasn’t until three years later that the formula really became great. Borderlands 2 was more streamlined where it needed to be, catapulting Pandora to the highest level of video game settings. The best element, however, was Handsome Jack. The leader of Hyperion and the self-proclaimed dictator of Pandora, Jack is smug, arrogant, self-centered and a deeply rude character. His own interests are the only things that matter to him, and his favorite pastime always seems to mercilessly mock the vault hunters on their journey. He is a fantastic character, and the return in Tales from the Borderlands after his death in Borderlands 2 was equal parts surprising and satisfying.
Borderland 3‘s Calypso Twins made a valiant effort to create a new villain for the series, but eventually passed out because their influencer personalities and awkward dialogue were too cheesy to ever feel truly threatening. As such, the game did not reach the heights of its predecessor and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands has made quick work to help fans forget the disappointing story presented in Borderland 3. New stories from the border countries could further solve the problems of the past and remind fans that the series still has the ability to make great villains.
New stories from the Borderlands story focus
The story is not something that border areas is known for, which is why it was so puzzling when the storytelling Telltale Games took players into the harsh wilderness of Pandora. The characters of the series may be loved by fans, but the story being told often takes a back seat to the satisfying gameplay and funny, if shallow, dialogue that is scattered throughout. New stories from the border countries will place a heavy emphasis on storytelling, which means that the interactions between the characters will be properly explored. Heroes will be needed more than ever, and every major protagonist must be compensated by an equally captivating villain whose elaborate plans must be thwarted.
A compelling antagonist in New stories from the border countries would do well to balance the tone needed to propel the story to one of the best of the year. Making an overbearing threat, like Handsome Jack was in Borderlands 2, makes every move of the good guys feel like a rebellious feat, further adding to the tone as there is potential danger around every corner. border areas needs a good villain, as the third game proved for all the wrong reasons, and with New stories from the border countries because it is so narrative, the expectations of an evil presence will be expected now more than ever.
New stories from the border countries is available on October 21 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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