The story of Borderlands 4 seems to be going in an interesting direction. Recent entries in the series attempted to outdo the last with over-the-top humor and a focus on spectacle, but Borderlands 4 appears to be going back to the franchise’s roots with a more serious tone and deeper consideration for the established lore.
The Borderlands series is no stranger to controversies, from the poorly reviewed New Tales from the Borderlands to Borderlands 3’s problematic newcomer characters. However, there is one Borderlands game that was more contentious than the rest, yet should prove essential to the story of the upcoming Borderlands 4: The Pre-Sequel. Despite effectively being ignored for years, it seems that the Pre-Sequel is going to be as integral as it once was controversial.
Borderlands 4 Would Be Wise to Leave One Question Unanswered After Its State of Play
While an upcoming State of Play is likely to reveal some substantial details about Borderlands 4, it should leave one big question unanswered.
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel Was a Controversial Title
Where Borderlands 2 aimed to expand on what the original game established, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel was much more experimental. The majority of the game is set on Elpis, the moon of Pandora. As such, players experience lower gravity than they are used to, and must manage their oxygen supply with their Oz Kit. Players can circumvent these controversial changes somewhat by playing as Claptrap, but since he is considered one of Borderlands’ most annoying characters, and his abilities are deliberately hard to use well, the trade-off isn’t worthwhile to those who dislike him.
In spite of its changes to the Borderlands formula, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is still an important game in the series from a narrative perspective. Acting as the mid-point between the first Borderlands game and Borderlands 2, the plot’s main focus was on filling the gaps between either title, showing how Handsome Jack rose to become the villain many loved and giving players the opportunity to play as a new range of Vault Hunters, some of which were based on bosses fans had defeated in Borderlands 2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is the odd one out in the series, but it is no less important to the overall story.
Borderlands 4: 6 Things Fans Want The Most
Borderlands 4 is on the horizon, and fans are hopeful for some fun new additions to come to the series with this next entry.
The Pre-Sequel’s Story Sets Up BL4
Elpis Is at the Center of Borderlands 4
The inciting incident in Borderlands 4 is a result of Borderlands 3’s ending. After regaining her Siren powers and assuming the role of the Firehawk once more, Lilith teleported Elpis away from Pandora before it could collide with the planet. For years, the whereabouts of the moon and the mystery of what happened to Lilith were left unanswered, and while players need to wait until Borderlands 4 releases to find out the Firehawk’s fate, players finally have some clarity about Elpis.
Borderlands 4 is set on Kairos, a prison planet that has remained hidden for thousands of years. Kairos’ veil was broken by Elpis, which Lilith teleported into the planet’s orbit, disrupting that planet’s oppressive order and acting as a beacon of hope for the inhabitants fighting for their freedom. Because it has remained concealed for such a long time, the world of Kairos is new to Borderlands fans, and Borderlands 4 will undoubtedly task players with exploring each corner of the planet, unraveling its mysteries, and helping its people to break free of The Timekeeper’s control. With the major role Elpis has already played in instigating the game’s story, the history of the moon explored in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel could have important consequences for Kairos.
Six years have passed since the events of Borderlands 3, meaning that the effects of Elpis entering Kairos’ orbit have already had an impact on the planet itself. This event introduced Eridium to the planet, an element introduced in Borderlands 2 that became much more relevant to the series’ lore in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. Throughout the series, it has been used as a power source, as well as an addictive substance for Sirens to enhance their powers. However, its uses will be explored further in Borderlands 4, as evidenced by Vile Lictor, an Auger who has been using Eridium to experiment on himself and locals.
BL4 Could Be Tied to the Eridians
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel expanded on the lore of the Eridians, the alien race in the Borderlands series responsible for the creation of the Vaults. Despite the planet being concealed for millennia, it is known that Kairos does contain Vaults, implying that the Eridians have been on this planet at some point. Toward the end of Borderlands 3, it was revealed that Pandora itself was the Great Vault and Elpis was its Vault Key, both of which were built by the Eridians. With the knowledge that Kairos may also be tied to the history of the Eridians, it’s possible that they and Elpis will be a significant part of Borderlands 4’s story.
There may already be a link between the Eridians and Borderlands 4’s primary villain, The Timekeeper. Though Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel was the first game in the series to explain to players who the Eridians are and their purpose throughout the story, their history was expanded upon more in Borderlands 3. Throughout the game, players can collect Eridian Slabs, the writings of Nyriad, a Siren who lived with the Eridians. Prior to his reveal as a major character in Borderlands 4, a passing reference was made to The Timekeeper in one of these slabs, listed alongside The Traveler and The Graveward, two Vault Monsters from past games in the series. It’s possible that the Eridians attempted to seal The Timekeeper in a Vault to prevent his reign of tyranny, but ultimately failed. If true, this makes the link between the Eridians introduced in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel and The Timekeeper that much stronger.
The premise of Borderlands 4 is already exciting, acting as a great introductory entry for newcomers without forgetting the fans who have stuck with the IP for years. Some of the games in the series’ past haven’t been as much of a hit with fans as others, but the stories that connect these Borderlands games seem to be the main focus moving forward. While Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel might not have been to the tastes of all players, its setting - and, by extension, its lore - are poised to play an important part in Borderlands 4’s plot, with it being a missing link that may finally be picked up and connected back to the wider chain of storytelling in the series.
Borderlands 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
- Released
- September 12, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
