Tales From the Borderlands remains an oddity, as it is the only entry in the Borderlands series to not take on the usual style of gameplay. Instead of looter shooter co-op action, gamers get a single-player adventure with none of the usual mechanics. Taking on the signature style of developer Telltale Games, gamers make meaningful choices as they shape the heroes of the story. While this drastic change of pace saw many Borderlands fans skipping over the game, it remains a cult classic that is loved by those who played it.
While Tales From the Borderlands features cameos from the likes of Zer0, as well as larger roles for Handsome Jack and Athena, its original characters steal the show. While Gearbox has made use of Rhys and Vaughn, giving the dynamic duo a major role in Borderlands 3, the rest of the characters remain noticeably absent. Among these forgotten figures is Gortys, the adorable Atlas robot that serves as a tool to help open to the Vault of The Traveler. Despite every interaction with Gortys being priceless, and her personality being a great change of pace from the usual Borderlands characters, she is nowhere to be seen in Borderlands 3. Hopefully, this changes going forward, as Gortys is deserving of more time in the spotlight.
What Makes Gortys Such A Great Borderlands Character
While the Borderlands universe is full of over-the-top figures like Tiny Tina and powerful, stone-faces Sirens, few characters are genuinely cheerful. While Claptrap has his moments, these are balanced out with his intentional annoyingness. Likewise, Scooter’s death in Tales From the Borderlands removed him from the fold, leaving a void that his sister Ellie does her best to fill. However, Gortys stands as one of the few living characters in Borderlands that still maintains her cheerful attitude.
Simply being happy to help Rhys and Fiona, she has a cheerful response to every conversation. This sees her bouncing off characters like Loaderbot in a great way, with every joke hitting its mark due to how unique Gortys is. On top of being adorable, she transforms into a massive mech in the final episode, beating down a Vault monster in a phenomenal action sequence. Alongside an adorable design that is fitting of such a pure character, Gortys is voiced by the excellent Ashley Johnson. Best known for her role as Ellie in The Last of Us, Johnson shows her range in the role. With great comedic timing, character design, and a neat transformation ability, she is a well-rounded character that fans have missed since Tales from the Borderlands ended.
Why Gortys Being Left Out Of Borderlands 3 Is Part Of A Bigger Problem
With Gortys being so incredible, it is genuinely saddening that she has not been seen since the spinoff game’s episodic run concluded. Considering that Borderlands 3’s main story featured a number of Vaults, including one on Promethea, it would have been great to see Rhys call upon his robotic ally once again. He could have sent Gortys with the Vault Hunters to help open the vault, leading to an awesome sequence where players can fight alongside a transformed Gortys. Even a brief cameo where gamers can see and hear Gortys would have been a pleasant surprise. Instead, she goes completely unmentioned in the third game. While this would be sad enough on its own, it is part of a larger issue.
While seeing Rhys and Vaughn again was great, Borderlands 3 brushes over a lot of other elements from the Telltale game. For example, it is never explained where Rhys and Fiona went at the end of the finale, with the Vault of the Traveler going completely unexplained to this day. Considering how big of a cliffhanger this was, it ranks with The Watcher’s War as one of the things that fans are most desperate to have answered. On top of this, the third game leaves out Fiona and Sasha entirely, with Rhys never bringing up the con artists. The same can be said for Athena, as she does not play a role in Borderlands 3, either. Strangely, these characters have been brushed to the side just like Gortys, with questions fans have about them going unanswered.
Considering that Rhys was brought back, and that there are Tales From the Borderlands easter eggs in Borderlands 3, it is clear that Gearbox has not forgotten the game. While the Borderlands universe is only growing larger, making it harder to give every character time to shine, Gearbox needs to find a way to work the other Tales characters into the main series. With Athena crucial to The Watcher’s War and Fiona having potential as a playable Vault Hunter, both characters should come back. The same can absolutely be said for Gortys, too, as she could add a lot to any Borderlands game. Perfectly cast and completely lovable, her debut in the main games is long overdue.
Tales from the Borderlands is available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.