The Thrilling & Complex Fate of Fiona and Sasha in Borderlands
Tales from the Borderlands presents an intriguing storyline for Fiona and Sasha, but its transition into a novel format raises both exciting possibilities and potential challenges
Highlights
In Tales from the Borderlands, the primary focus shifted towards character development and storytelling, deviating from the main series' predominant emphasis on combat and loot-driven progression. Notably, this installment introduced Fiona and Sasha, two cherished characters.
The news of a new novel featuring Sasha and Fiona from Tales from the Borderlands is thrilling for fans of the Tales' cast. It opens up the possibility of fresh adventures and the chance to delve deeper into these beloved characters.
However, it seems peculiar to continue Fiona's story in a novel considering how long video game fans have been eagerly anticipating a continuation. Although a novel does provide a compelling narrative, it might not reach as many gamers who do not typically read books. Consequently, there is a risk that they may miss out on the story.
Borderlands is a renowned series known for its exhilarating combat and the addictive progression system based on finding loot. It has gained a reputation for offering a highly enjoyable cooperative experience. The second installment in 2012 built upon the success of the first game, while the third game, although taking a few steps back, remained true to the overarching principles of its predecessors. However, Borderlands has never been afraid to innovate, as seen with the introduction of Borderlands: The Pre Sequel, which delved deeper into the backstory of the popular villain, Handsome Jack. Nonetheless, the most notable departure in the franchise came in 2014 with the release of Tales from the Borderlands.
Developed by Telltale Games prior to its collapse and subsequent return, Tales from the Borderlands places a stronger emphasis on character development, world-building, and storytelling, aspects that were somewhat neglected in the main first-person shooter series. Familiar faces make a return alongside fresh and likable new characters, who quickly carve their place in the established Borderlands lore. Recently, the exciting news of a novel centered around Sasha and Fiona, two beloved characters, being published by Titan Books has been announced. While this development is welcomed, some concerns have risen that this signifies the end of their gaming adventures.
Sasha and Fiona Get a New Chapter
With New Tales from the Borderlands choosing to focus on different characters this time, specifically those tied to the weapons manufacturer Tediore, it seemed unlikely that the original game's cast would receive any substantial storylines. While Rhys does get his time to shine in Borderlands 3, it was a missed opportunity to explore the other characters from Tales from the Borderlands. However, the announcement of a novel centered around Fiona and her sister Sasha is promising, as it means that there is more in store for the original game's cast.
Fiona and Sasha are the perfect duo for a book, considering their transient nature due to Fiona's life of crime and their humble origins on Pandora. This opens up the possibilities for them to encounter a variety of intriguing situations. They have already had an exciting beginning to their lives and an epic adventure in Tales from the Borderlands, so the prospect of a novel building upon their potential is great news for fans. It's certainly better than having nothing, and the project even hints at the chance of a future gaming return for the characters. If the book achieves success or sets up additional adventures for these two leads, perhaps we might even see Fiona and Sasha make an appearance in Borderlands 4.
Borderlands in Novel Form is Risky Territory
However, it cannot be denied that the book adaptation of the game may disappoint some gaming enthusiasts. Pandora's immersive experience is largely due to its visual portrayal on screen, and while novels have successfully told stories for centuries, Borderlands has proven to excel as a game. Additionally, continuing Sasha and Fiona's story in a book creates a disconnect between mediums, potentially causing gamers to be unaware of the novel and its content, as it exists in a different sphere altogether. Although the narrative may be compelling, its lack of accessibility to the target audience puts it at risk of quickly fading into obscurity.
The New Tales from the Borderlands received criticism for its lack of endearing characters and an uninspired cast. Having Fiona and Sasha take the lead in their own game could have potentially resolved this issue. However, it seems unlikely that more story-driven games in the Borderlands franchise will be developed, as a film is currently in production and the loot-focused games have proven to be more successful. It would have been more logical to present the story of New Tales from the Borderlands in book form, given its largely new basis, and have Fiona as the protagonist in the 2022 project. While it is encouraging to know that the sisters' adventures will continue, the decision to continue them in a novel format is bold and potentially risky.
Tales from the Borderlands is available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
