Borderlands Games With the Best Stories

The Borderlands series shows no signs of slowing down, and as more Vault Hunters receive their own stories, it's up to the fans to decide which of them are the best. Each Borderlands game offers a unique tale of Vault Hunters and loot, and with 7 games on the market, it’s time to check in and see how every Borderlands game ranks in terms of its story content.

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By  Jake Fillery

Some games excel at characters, whereas others focus more on the humor and the mayhem that the games have to offer. Whether players are new or old, each Borderlands story has something to offer players, and they might just find themselves chuckling or cheering, depending on the title.

7 New Tales From The Borderlands

A Lackluster Story That Focuses On Jokes That Don't Always Land

The fates of four new characters are in players' hands as they navigate New Tales from the Borderlands with decisions that could have dire consequences. New Tales from the Borderlands follows the scientist Anu, her streetwise brother Octavio, the frogurt-business-owning Fran, and the debonaire assassin bot, LOU13, as they try to make names for themselves.

New Tales from the Borderlands might have a few distinct characterizations and concepts, but the narrative for the game really doesn’t serve it well. The characters are mostly unlikeable due to a reliance on humor that takes over from the plot, and even a few chuckle-worthy jokes don’t help this entry from being one of its most memorable.

6 Borderlands

The First Entry Into The Mayhem Of Pandora And The Myth Of Vaults

Enter into the world of Pandora, where mayhem and madness rule supreme. Pandora is a wasteland of desert and broken dreams, where those who do venture to Pandora do so for the whispers of loot found within the mythical Vaults. As the first entry in the Borderlands series, Borderlands excels at world-building with its corporations, bandits, and core Vault Hunters.

Yet, the story for Borderlands takes a backseat to its gameplay, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but there are some moments that lack the enthusiasm and tension that they deserve because the game is more focused on loot and killing things, which somewhat cheapens its third act with a not-so memorable villain.

5 Borderlands 3

The Humor Returns, Alongside Villains That Try To Compete With Handsome Jack

Borderlands 3 features somewhat of a time-skip, allowing players to flourish against new threats as the citizens and leaders of Sanctuary leave Pandora to escape the Children of the Vault, a fanatical cult that sees the leadership of the Calypso twins hunt down Sirens. Borderlands 3 is the biggest game in terms of scope and adventure.

Fans had waited years for another Borderlands title, and when it came to gameplay, Borderlands 3 did not disappoint. The story might be a different story, and there are a few aspects that some fans dislike. Yet, as a Borderlands title, Borderlands 3 still does a great job of blending the franchise’s humor and tone with topical satire and an abundance of mayhem.

4 Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

A Story Told On Pandora's Moon That Explains Handsome Jack's Origins

Leave the surface of Pandora behind for the moon, Elpis. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel embraces the weird and whacky of the Borderlands series, by combining both a prequel to Borderlands 2 and a sequel to Borderlands 2, in the same title. As a prelude to Borderlands 2, The Pre-Sequel works wonderfully with both its cast of characters, setting, and the origins of Handsome Jack, who goes from desperate hero to agonizing villain.

The Pre-Sequel exists in a weird spot, as it needs to mold its story to be faithful to the impending events of Borderlands 2, so there isn’t much room for creativity, but it doesn’t stop the game from excelling at a fun time. With expansive lore, The Pre-Sequel is great for more Athena and Jack alone.

3 Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands

Tiny Tina Tells A Humorous Fantasy Tale

Borderlands heads into the fantasy realms of Bunkers and Badasses, as Tiny Tina leads an epic adventure with whimsy and wonder. The quest is clear: stop the Dragon Lord, and amass an army of loot and crumpets, and whatever else the random Tina has up her sleeve to keep things entertaining and engaging.

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Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands embraces the fun side of the Borderlands series and takes one of Borderlands 2’s most iconic DLCs to create a fun spin-off adventure. The story of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is one that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that allows for a powerful fantasy trip with hilarity as the focus.

2 Tales From The Borderlands

A Five-Part Story Involving Misfits In The Borderlands World

Players must make their own decisions, whether justified or otherwise, to involve themselves in the fates of new characters in the Borderlands series. The game follows a Hyperion businessman, Rhys, and a tumbled involvement with Fiona, a con artist with dreams of a big score. With five episodes, and fates entwined, these characters won’t come out the same.

Telltale Games were at the top of their game when they brought Tales from the Borderlands to the scene. This title focused more on the expanding narrative of the series post-Borderlands 2 rather than the gameplay, and that’s more than okay. The characters involved are fleshed out, and the quests that they embark on are deeply personal, allowing for some new faces and classics to have their moments. Tales from the Borderlands focuses on friendships and betrayals, with that typical Borderlands charm.

1 Borderlands 2

Vault Hunters Join Forces To Battle Handsome Jack And The Armies Of Hyperion

Borderlands 2 immediately leaves a strong impression on the player after they are invited to Pandora as Vault Hunters, only to be left for dead in the frozen Arctic of Pandora’s wastes. The story once again follows Vault Hunters as they head to Pandora in search of loot and stories, only to discover how Hyperion and Handsome Jack are trying to genocide the planet to mold it under his own sadistic image.

Borderlands 2 is where the series matured, but also kept its fun side. The villain of Handsome Jack is hilarious and intense, creating one of gaming’s best villains of all time. The story was also a heavy mix of mayhem and serious themes, allowing for jokes and drama to hit at all the right moments, even if the pop culture references are a tad dated.

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Borderlands: 6 NPCs Who Should Be Playable In A Future Game

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