Borderlands 3 Sets the Stage for an Epic Battle Royale Extravaganza

The introduction of the Arms Race game mode in Borderlands 3's Designer's Cut expansion brings a strong battle royale experience to the franchise. Although it lacks PvP, the game mode excels in capturing the essence of a battle royale with its gunplay and signature Borderlands features. However, the franchise would greatly benefit from dedicated PvP, especially considering the groundwork laid by the Arms Race game mode. Peer-to-peer duels currently serve as the only form of PvP in Borderlands games, but there is potential for PvP to evolve and shine in future Borderlands games.

Borderlands 3's Call to Arms Paves the Way For PvP in Future Borderlands Games

The game mode in the Designer's Cut Borderlands 3 expansion serves as a strong foundation for a battle royale mode in the Borderlands franchise. However, there is still room for improvement. While Arms Race lacks PvP, it still incorporates recognizable battle royale elements that fans of the genre will appreciate. Arms Race is a survival mode where players begin with no gear or abilities and must navigate an expanding storm to escape, all while collecting loot. This game mode brings a significant change to the franchise and could potentially be expanded upon in future Borderlands games, or even developed into a standalone game.

The Borderlands franchise has a wealth of weapon variety and diverse Vault Hunters that could greatly contribute to the Battle Royale genre. Although Arms Race currently does not allow players to utilize their Vault Hunter's abilities, this aspect could be reconsidered, especially in a dedicated PvP game. Vault Hunters are integral to the Borderlands experience, so the inability to use their unique abilities in Arms Race leaves something to be desired. Additionally, the Mayhem levels, loot tiers, weapon anoints, and vast array of weaponry in Borderlands 3 offer numerous possibilities to create an enjoyable PvP experience in the Borderlands universe.

The Borderlands Franchise Should Explore PvP in Future Games

A dedicated PvP Borderlands battle royale could be developed as its own standalone title or as a companion to a future mainline Borderlands game. For instance, Arms Race, which is part of an expansion requiring the Borderlands 3 base game, sets a precedent for incorporating a battle royale mode into future Borderlands games without compromising any unique aspects it brings. On the other hand, considering the untapped potential for PvP content in the vast Borderlands universe, a battle royale and other PvP offerings could also be explored as a spin-off. In any case, it is high time for the Borderlands franchise to venture into dedicated PvP content in various forms.

A dedicated PvP game within the Borderlands franchise offers a multitude of opportunities for exploration, particularly following the introduction of the battle royale foundations in the Arms Race game mode of Borderlands 3. One of the appealing aspects of playing Arms Race is the ability for players to obtain valuable loot and utilize it in other parts of the game. Even if a potential standalone Borderlands PvP game is developed in the future, it should still prioritize the incorporation of extracted loot and other rewards into the mainline Borderlands experience. The existing Borderlands games already possess matchmaking capabilities, although they primarily cater to PvE activities such as the circle of slaughter and Takedown endgame content. Borderlands 3 is currently accessible on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.