Unveiling the Truly Unbeatable Villain in Borderlands 4: Say Goodbye to Handsome Jack!

Handsome Jack’s impact on the Borderlands franchise is undeniable, having earned the top spot on numerous best video game villains lists. The enduring repercussions of his crimes continue to haunt the other characters of the Borderlands franchise to this day. In addition to his terrifying nature, Handsome Jack's unparalleled humor provided moments of levity throughout the games. One such instance resulted in the creation of Butt Stallion, a direct result of his self-centered wit. Furthermore, the tragic undertones of his story, as explored in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel and Tales From the Borderlands, add depth to his character. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that surpassing the villainy of Handsome Jack will not be the primary challenge for Borderlands 4.

While it is true that any villain introduced by Gearbox will inevitably face comparison to the iconic Handsome Jack, it is essential to avoid simply replicating his character. Developing a fresh and innovative antagonist concept poses a significant challenge. Borderlands has often relied on portraying gun corporations as adversaries, but revisiting this approach in Borderlands 4 may result in a repetitive storyline that fails to captivate players. Unfortunately, alternative approaches also come with their own drawbacks.

Borderlands 4 is Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place With Its Villain

Handsome Jack, a beloved character in Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 3's Handsome Jackpot DLC, was closely associated with Hyperion. As a result, the company and its loaders had a significant presence in these games. However, Hyperion is not the only weapon manufacturer to serve as an antagonist in the Borderlands series. Dahl's military was a challenging opponent in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel and the Commander Lilith DLC for Borderlands 2, and last year, Tediore emerged as the primary threat in New Tales From the Borderlands.

It is understandable why Gearbox has repeatedly employed this storytelling formula. Similar to the presence of Maliwan in Borderlands 3, weapon manufacturers with their private armies provide a diverse range of regular enemies for players to face between boss encounters. This is crucial in a game like Borderlands, where battling large groups of enemies is a significant gameplay element. Therefore, pitting Vault Hunters against a dangerous CEO is a reliable choice. However, with Borderlands consistently using this approach, selecting another corrupt company as the antagonist in Borderlands 4 may feel too predictable.

Looking for a villain in Borderlands has become repetitive, especially with the Calypso Twins utilizing an army of psychos from the Cult of the Vault. Therefore, in Borderlands 4, psychos should take a secondary role. A more likely scenario for the next game would be a faction of Guardians from The Watcher's War. Battling these Eridian creations in Vaults is always fun due to their unique abilities and shield-focused health bars, but it remains uncertain if Guardians would work as the primary antagonist. They may be better suited for smaller appearances. As otherworldly alien beings, they are harder to relate to, and while intriguing, they lack the charisma of previous villains like Handsome Jack or the Calypsos.

Regrettably, unless Gearbox can introduce a completely new faction of villains, Borderlands 4 may face challenges in presenting an antagonist that is satisfying in all aspects. The concept of Handsome Jack and Hyperion was innovative at the time, but the repetitive use of the villainous gun corporation theme has become dull. The excessive reliance on Psychos in recent times and the absence of the exaggerated personality that Borderlands is renowned for in Guardians also contribute to the difficulty. It is our hope that Gearbox can astonish players with a remarkable antagonist in the upcoming game, as the predictable choices would likely disappoint.