The next major Borderlands game is likely a fair bit away, but fans are already thinking about the features that it could include. From custom Circles of Slaughter to potential Vault Hunters, it will be interesting to see what the next game brings to the table. While it is anyone’s guess as to what will be featured, Gearbox should consider pulling from Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands when it comes to traversal.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands boasts a fantasy setting, meaning it would make little sense for vehicles to be featured, though this logical exclusion ended up being to the game’s benefit as well. Areas feel tighter and more fun to explore, with less empty space seen throughout. Further, the lack of vehicles allowed the Overworld to be introduced, something that should be expanded upon in the main Borderlands games.
Vehicles Have Never Been One of Borderlands’ Strengths
Despite Borderlands vehicles like the Outrunner being iconic, and having been around since the series’ inception, they are usually one of the weakest aspects of the game. The overwhelming focus on vehicles was the one big downside of the Secret Armory of General Knoxx DLC, for example, as players had to drive on highways for long periods of time. In Borderlands 2 and beyond, some areas were built entirely for vehicles, putting the clunky driving mechanics on full display.
Vehicles in the Borderlands games only became more problematic in True Vault Hunter Mode and Mayhem Mode, as they were not properly balanced for these difficulties. Needing to run enemies over for a mission when a vehicle explodes after just a few shots proved incredibly frustrating, and combat within vehicles was unenjoyable due to how little damage they dished out. Regardless of the game, Borderlands vehicles have never been fun to use outside the initial playthrough on normal difficulty, and even then they do not control nearly as well as the regular FPS gameplay.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands removing vehicles means that there is no empty space where players are meant to drive around. Massive areas that require lots of driving like The Dust from Borderlands 2 or Skittermaw Basin from Borderlands 3 are nowhere to be seen. Instead, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is full of areas like Tangledrift that feel more focused and allow players to experience the main gameplay loop the entire time. A lack of vehicles limits any frustration that came from using them in higher difficulties, and with such a good example, Borderlands 4 should consider moving away from vehicles.
Making Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ Overworld Fit a Borderlands Setting
In place of vehicles, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands introduced the Overworld map, an enjoyable way to get around that provided unique quests and mechanics. While this makes sense for Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands specifically, as it fits the fantasy setting, it could absolutely be adapted for the next Borderlands game. In fact, this could be a way for Gearbox to keep the classic vehicles around but without their usual clunkiness.
If players are on Borderlands’ Pandora, they could access an Overworld map full of desert areas and use Outrunners to get around. A Promethea Overworld could see players using a Cyclone to traverse the Overworld, while an Overworld map set in space could allow players to pilot Sanctuary 3. Adding multiple, unique Overworlds would not only make the next Borderlands game feel massive, but it would provide a way to simulate travel without forcing players to engage with the series’ lackluster vehicle mechanics. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ complete focus on FPS gameplay shows the series at its best, as one of the weakest elements of Borderlands is left on the cutting room floor. Borderlands 4 should follow in its footsteps, cutting out vehicles in favor of the charming Overworld.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.