Thus far,Borderlands 4seems to be the game that fans have been hoping for. A more serious villain, the Timekeeper, should allow for a stronger narrative, as will the lack of “toilet humor” that fans consider a weakness ofBorderlands 3. Beyond that, players will be seeing certain improvements to core gameplay mechanics, with better movement teased forBorderlands 4alongside vehicles that can be summoned from anywhere. With significant graphical improvements expected, and an upcomingBorderlandsState of Play sure to bring more info, the future is bright for fans of the franchise.
While the State of Play will likely be the next big info dump the game receives ahead of its September 23 release, that does not mean that little teasers will not slip through the cracks before then. For example,Gearbox’s Randy Pitchfordrecently took to social media to mention how much he is enjoying his time with the newly releasedAssassin’s Creed Shadows, highlighting the hideout building feature in particular. After comparing the mechanic toNintendo’s hitAnimal Crossingfranchise, Pitchford states that he can’t say he hasn’t had “the instinct” to have proper hideout customization in “some of [his] games…” With Pitchford’s next game right around the corner, and the ellipsis implying that this is a hint instead of a throwaway comment,Borderlandsfans might just be in for a similar feature inBL4. And when looking at the series’ most recent mainline game, it really wouldn’t be that out of the ordinary.
Borderlands 3’s Limited Room Customization May Have Been a Stepping Stone
Fans ofBorderlands 3who spent a significant amount of time aboard Sanctuary 3 will likely remember having the option to customize theirVault Hunter’s room. While some players only ever entered their character’s abode to stash guns in their vault, others loved making a few changes to the area. Each room had a base theme that could not be changed, which reflected the personality of the associated Vault Hunter, but players could display their favorite weapons on a large wall and fill three decoration spots with items that they acquired on their adventures. Decoration options include:
While this form of room customization was obviously very limited, as there were only a handful of slots to fill with a few dozen decoration options, it was still a nice touch that made Sanctuary 3 feel just a bit more homey. Players could display the items they were most proud of, too, showing off to their fellow Vault Hunters and motivating players to chase after the same nick-nacks.Borderlands 4would not have to work hard to iterate upon this feature, as it could simply add a few more decoration slots alongside fresh collectibles to display, such asVaultlanders. However, it has a long way to go if it wants to offer something truly expansive like what can be found in the latest iteration ofAssassin’s Creed.
How Could Deep Borderlands 4 Hideout Customization Work?
While there is a chance for this tease to result in something likeStarfield’s ship-building, where players build and decorate their own version of Sanctuary,Borderlands 4shifting the series' focus to the new planet of Kairos means that this is probably off the table. Instead, something that is more akin toAssassin’s Creed Shadows’ hideout customization- or theAnimal Crossingstyle of gameplay specifically referenced by Pitchford - could be delivered.
PerhapsBorderlands 4could feature Crew Challengeslike its predecessor, with one of these being an enemy outpost or two located on each large map. Clearing an outpost could be a difficult, wave-based activity, and once completed, players could customize the area that they have liberated. This could give players a decently-sized canvas to play with, allowing them to place certain building types and paths within a pre-determined area. From there, they could customize interiors and colors, with wall decorations once again used as rewards for quests and being purchasable via currency like Eridium. Alternatively, Gearbox could just let players give the main hub of Kairos a makeover, as opposed to just one room like inBorderlands 3. So long as too much customization is not allowed, as unrestrained freedom could see players accidentally blocking off some ofBorderlands’ typical grindable areas, this feature could be a terrific change of pace. Regardless of the approach taken, hopefully Pitchford’s tease leadsBorderlands 4to “put someAnimal Crossing” into its formula.
