Unforgettable Borderlands Locations That Must Make a Comeback in BL4

Gearbox has various options for creating the settings for the next group of Vault Hunters in Borderlands 4. One option is to focus on completely new planets, leaving behind Pandora and moving away from the new locations introduced in Borderlands 3, such as Eden-6 and Promethea. Another option is for Gearbox to revisit the established planets and add new locations, expanding them similar to the original planet that started it all. If this second path is chosen, Gearbox should also allow Borderlands players to revisit familiar and beloved areas.

While the idea of exploring new planets is certainly appealing, especially with the possibility of unique locations like an underwater Borderlands planet, there is still potential for further development within the existing locations. Aside from Pandora, gamers have only witnessed small portions of the franchise's main destinations. A handful of maps can only provide a glimpse into a much larger world. Therefore, there is justification for returning to established locations and creating entirely new maps to explore. Nostalgic players would also appreciate the expansion or transformation of classic areas, similar to the way the Arid Badlands changed in Borderlands 2.

Sanctuary 3 and The Lodge: The Ultimate Borderlands Hub Areas

Borderlands 2's beloved floating city may no longer be available due to its destruction in the Commander Lilith DLC. However, there are still a few hub areas that Borderlands can reintroduce. Instead of introducing a completely new hub, an upgraded version of Sanctuary 3, known as Sanctuary 4, could be a wise choice for the main game. This upgrade would address the original design's maze-like layout while preserving its successful elements, providing players with a ship to navigate outer space.

In addition to Sanctuary, Borderlands 4 could potentially bring back the spooky Lodge from the Guns, Love, and Tentacles expansion. This DLC stood out for its exceptional writing, and the mysterious Lodge and its owner, Mancubus, added to its charm. The Lodge's ability to magically move around offers great potential for it to be a hub once again in future eerie post-launch content. Regardless of whether players are facing off against ghosts, demons, werewolves, or other frightening enemies, The Lodge can and should serve as their resting place.

Caustic Caverns and Lectra City: Borderlands’ Stellar Side Locations

Pandora, the heavily explored planet, may be deemed skippable in Borderlands 4, but its significance to the franchise and the nostalgia associated with this desert world ensure its enduring presence. If it were to make a comeback, revisiting one of its visually distinctive maps, such as Caustic Caverns, could prove enjoyable. Caustic Caverns stands out due to its compelling storytelling involving Dahl, diverse enemy encounters, concealed boss battles, and unforgettable Minecraft Easter egg. Returning to this location would demonstrate how it has evolved since Dahl's operations while granting fans another opportunity to revel in the Minecraft Easter egg.

Another optional locale in Borderlands 3, Lectra City, showcased the pinnacle of Promethea's urban setting. Unlike the main maps with their extensive roads and highways, this area fully captured the desired city aesthetic of Promethea. Its narrow streets teeming with enemies provided ample combat opportunities for farming kills, and traversing rooftops added a refreshing change of pace to the franchise. Additionally, the highly entertaining quest line featuring Mad Moxxi, who runs a business in this area, could result in another amusing and innuendo-filled adventure if revisited.

Gehenna and Nekrotafeyo: Borderlands Planets With More to Give

The Gehenna DLC location stands out as the most memorable, adding depth to Borderlands 3's Bounty of Blood expansion. This fusion of Japanese and Wild West architecture creates a truly remarkable planet, and players only scratched the surface of what it had to offer in the DLC's runtime. Returning to Gehenna to assist Wainwright Jakobs in uncovering his company's history would make for an engaging side story, while also allowing players to find a crucial item for the main narrative.

On the other hand, Nekrotafeyo, despite its narrative importance, doesn't receive as much exploration time as expected. While a few locations can be explored, players only return to the destroyed Eridian homeworld for Ava's murder mystery missions. Unfortunately, Nekrotafeyo lacks the vast range of maps found in Borderlands 3's version of Pandora. With its unique alien wildlife and potential undiscovered enemies, revisiting Nekrotafeyo to unlock more areas for exploration would be ideal. This could also tie in seamlessly with the search for Lilith, just like two other locations.

Athenas and Elpis: Major Locations That Fit Borderlands 4’s Narrative

Athenas, despite its potential as one of the greatest Borderlands planets, falls short as a disappointment. While the area players explore in Borderlands 3 is impressive, offering stunning vistas as they navigate through mountain villages, its limited exploration options are a letdown. Athenas deserves a return with multiple maps to venture through, especially considering its significance as a Siren homeworld, which would make sense in the search for Lilith.

Another consideration is Elpis, the moon that players explore in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. With Borderlands 3 ending with Lilith leaving her mark on Elpis, it seems likely that a visit to the moon is in the cards. Perhaps Lilith's crash into the moon could justify the removal of Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel's cumbersome Oz kits, as the collision may have created a breathable atmosphere. This would allow for the visually stunning areas of Elpis to be reimagined without the tedious mechanic of constantly refilling air supplies.

Borderlands 4 could potentially introduce a wide array of locations, considering the numerous memorable places visited throughout the series. The snowy landscapes of Three Horns - Divide in Pandora and the thrilling Anvil Prison on Eden-6 could evoke a strong sense of nostalgia for fans. It is crucial for Gearbox to find the right balance between new, unexplored maps and beloved classics, as harnessing nostalgia in moderation can greatly enhance the gaming experience.