Gearbox has a few options when it comes to crafting the locations forBorderlands 4’s next batch of Vault Hunters. One option would be to focus on entirely new planets, leaving Pandora behind while also moving away fromBorderlands 3’s new introductions likeEden-6and Promethea. Alternatively, Gearbox could return to all the established planets once again to add new locations, fleshing them out like the planet that started it all. If this second path is taken, Gearbox should also letBorderlandsplayers revisit some spots they know and love.
While the concept of new planets is obviously appealing, especially since bold new locales like an underwaterBorderlandsplanet can be delivered, more can be done with the existing locations. Outside of Pandora, gamers have only seen small chunks of the franchise’s major destinations, as a handful of maps can only show just a small piece of a much larger world. As such, there could be a reason to return to established locations, as they can be given entirely new maps to explore. For nostalgic players, though, seeing classic spots expanded or changed like the Arid Badlands inBorderlands 2would be just as enjoyable.
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Sanctuary 3 and The Lodge: The Ultimate Borderlands Hub Areas
While many fans will understandably have a soft spot forBorderlands 2’s floating city, its destruction in theCommander Lilith DLCmeans that it is off the table. However, that does not mean there are not a few hub areas thatBorderlandscan bring back. For the main game, sticking with Sanctuary 3 could be a wise idea, as players will surely still need a ship to move through outer space. Instead of adding an entirely new hub, Gearbox could upgrade the ship to a Sanctuary 4 model, fixing what players did not like about the original design - that being its maze-like layout - and keeping everything it did well.
While a cleaner version of Sanctuary could return inBorderlands 4, so too could the spooky Lodge from the Guns, Love, and Tentacles expansion. This DLC was a standout for its great writing, and a lot of its charm came about thanks to themysterious Lodge and its proprietor Mancubus. Plenty is said about how The Lodge can magically move around, meaning it has a lot of potential to be a hub once again in another spooky piece of post-launch content. Regardless of whether players are battling ghosts, demons, werewolves, or any other scary foe, The Lodge can and should be their place to rest.
Caustic Caverns and Lectra City: Borderlands’ Stellar Side Locations
While Pandora has been explored heavily, and is arguably the one planet that can be skipped over inBorderlands 4, its importance to the franchise and the nostalgia tied to this desert world means it will never go away. Still, if it does return, going back to one of its more visually distinct maps could be enjoyable. Caustic Caverns is a standout location because of its strong storytelling involving Dahl, solid enemy variety, hidden bosses, and unforgettableMinecraftEaster egg. A return to this area could show players how it has changed in the years since Dahl’s operation while also giving fans anotherMinecraftEaster egg to enjoy.
Lectra City is another location that was entirely optional inBorderlands 3, yet it served as the very best Promethea had to offer. This area did an excellent job of capturing the city aesthetic Promethea was going for, something that did not land as well in the main maps that were covered in large roads and highways. The cramped streets full of enemies gave players a lot of fighting to do if they ever wanted to farm kills, while platforming across rooftops was a change of pace for the franchise.Mad Moxxi’s quest line was also hugely entertaining, and returning to this area where she runs a business could result in another fun, innuendo-filled affair.
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Gehenna and Nekrotafeyo: Borderlands Planets With More to Give
Without a doubt the most memorable DLC location, Gehenna was full of character, and it did a lot to elevateBorderlands 3’s Bounty of Blood expansion. A combination of Japanese and Wild West architecture, this planet was remarkable, and it feels as if players only got a taste of what it had to offer during the DLC’s runtime. Returning to Gehenna to help Wainwright Jakobs learn more about his company’s history could make for an engaging side story, and in the process gamers could pick up some kind of item they need for the main narrative.
As for Nekrotafeyo, despite its narrative significance, players do not spend as much time here as one would expect. There are a few locations to explore, and players do return to the destroyed Eridian homeworld during Ava’s murder mystery missions, but there are not nearly as many maps on offer asBorderlands 3’s version of Pandora. With Nekrotafeyo boasting some unique alien wildlife, and with the planet surely hiding some mobs that have not yet been seen, a return here that opens up more areas to explore would be ideal. It could also fit nicely intothe search for Lilith, something that can also be said for two other locations.
Athenas and Elpis: Major Locations That Fit Borderlands 4’s Narrative
Despite being set up for some time, and having all the necessary pieces to be one of the bestBorderlandsplanetsof all time, Athenas was a bit of a disappointment. To be clear, the area players do explore inBorderlands 3is terrific, with gorgeous vistas to look at as players run and gun their way through mountain villages. The issue is that Athenas offers just one map to explore, which is a far cry from the game’s other planets. Athenas deserves to return with several more maps to fight through, and with its place as a Siren homeworld, it makes sense to revisit it during the search for Lilith.
Lastly, there is Elpis, the moon playersexplored inBorderlands: The Pre-Sequel. Considering thatBorderlands 3ends with Lilith “Firehawking Elpis,” and emblazoning her symbol across the entirety of the moon, a visit to Elpis seems like it is on the cards. Perhaps Lilith crashing into the moon could justify the removal ofBorderlands: The Pre-Sequel’s Oz kits, as the collision may have created a breathable atmosphere. This way, the visually appealing areas from Elpis could be brought back without the tedious mechanic where players need to refill their air.
Borderlands 4obviously could feature more than these locations, as plenty of memorable places have been visited over the years. Many will likely be nostalgic for the snowy portions of Pandora like Three Horns - Divide, and Eden-6’s Anvil Prison could be fun to see again. Hopefully,Gearboxis able to strike a balance between never-before-seenBorderlandsmaps and old favorites, as nostalgia can be an excellent tool when used in moderation.
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