Summary
Borderlands 4has officially been announced, and its teaser trailer immediately sparked a conversation surrounding what this particular entry might bring to the table. The bulk of the conversation has been about the next game’s villain, as some have suspectedBorderlands 2’s Handsome Jackcould return. These suspicions were elevated when an image appeared at the end of theBorderlands 4teaser trailer showing the vault symbol over a face, seemingly positioned in the exact same place as the scar Lilith left on Handsome Jack’s true face. However, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford shot down those theories, sayingBorderlands 4’s villain is “something far more dangerous and sinister.”
WhileBorderlands 4’s villain may not be Handsome Jack, the hand shown picking up the Psycho mask in the trailer appears to be Eridian. If that is a true representation of the final game, andBorderlands 4’s villain is, in fact, Eridian, it might be a perfect time to bring back the first game’s arsenal of Eridian weapons.
Borderlands 4 Should Bring Back Eridian Weapons
Eridian Weapons Haven’t Been Around Since the First Borderlands Game
Even now that theBorderlandsfranchise is heading into its fourth mainline installment, Eridian weapons remain some of the most popular weapons in the series. Unfortunately, they haven’t been around since the firstBorderlandsgame, and their absence has been sorely felt. There was some speculation that Eridian weapons would be returning inBorderlands 3, but the only weapon with “Eridian” in the name is theEridian Fabricator— which some refer to as the “Gun Gun” for its ability to fire weapons instead of ammo. Apart from its name, the Eridian Fabricator is not Eridian in its appearance or its power.
One of the standout features of an Eridian weapon is its alien appearance, and whileBorderlands' weapons have taken on many interesting appearances since the first game, none have offered anything quite likeEridian weapons. Eridian weapons aren’t just known for their unique look, however, as they are also some of the most powerful weapons in the firstBorderlandsgame. Rather than using traditional bullets like most other guns, Eridian weapons fire energy blasts, adding to their sci-fi feel. Finally, they are some of the rarest weapons in the game, which simultaneously adds to their appeal and makes them all the more desirable.
If Borderlands 4’s Villain Is Eridian, Eridian Weapons Should Come Back
AssumingBorderlands 4’s villainis Eridian, it would also make sense for Eridian weapons to come back. The only question would be how to implement them, and whether they would come withBorderlands' weapon proficiency system that helped make them powerful enough to tackle some of the toughest enemies in the game. Of course, Eridian weapons in a modernBorderlandsgame might not need the weapon proficiency system per se, as they could be redesigned to function much differently than they did before.
However, it might upset longtime fans of the series for these beloved weapons to follow a different set of rules this time around.
It would also be interesting forBorderlands 4to introduce some brand-new Eridian weapons to the collective arsenal. Alongside weapons like the Eridian Lightning and the Eridian Mega Cannon,Borderlands 4could include weapons never before seen in the series to bring them back in style. Finally, judging by the look of theteaser trailer forBorderlands 4, this particular entry could have much more detailed graphics than the series has had in the past, which would complement the alien designs of Eridian weapons well and emphasize their best features in a way the first game wasn’t able to. All in all, there are more than enough reasons to bring back Eridian weapons inBorderlands 4, assuming its villain is indeed Eridian.
WHERE TO PLAY
Borderlands 4 brings intense action, badass Vault Hunters, and billions of wild and deadly weapons to an all-new planet ruled by a ruthless tyrant.Crash into Kairos as one of four new Vault Hunters seeking wealth and glory. Wield powerful Action Skills, customize your build with deep skill trees, and dominate enemies with dynamic movement abilities.Break free from the oppressive Timekeeper, a ruthless dictator who dominates the masses from on high. Now a world-altering catastrophe threatens his perfect Order, unleashing mayhem across the planet.Ignite a resistance and blast your way through mechanical monstrosities, bloodthirsty bandits, and vicious beasts. Amass an arsenal of death-dealing firepower to wreak havoc as you tear your way across Kairos.Fight solo or in co-op with up to three other players in this immense sci-fi adventure, packed with free-form combat and exploration, pulse-pounding boss fights, infinitely varied loot drops, and an eclectic cast of unforgettable characters new and old.
