Gearbox Software is gearing up for the next iteration ofBorderlands,with the fourth main entry having recently been officially confirmed. After years of rumors and sly teasers,Borderlandsfans thus have good reason to celebrate and look forward to the next installment of the popular looter-shooter series in the forthcomingBorderlands 4.With an ensemble of characters and longstanding related plot threads to address,BL4has a lot to juggle, and speculation about what, and how, it will do so, has been widespread.
In 2015, it was announced that the franchise would be receiving a big-screen version with an all-star cast attached. Though many fans are excited about it, theBorderlandsmovie also had its share of criticismsbased on what has been shown about it in marketing material so far, and it remains to be seen what reactions will be like to the full experience. But givenBorderlands' general sensibilities and especially its hallmark comic book-like cel-shaded art style, perhaps another avenue would have served it better for an expanded adaptation—that being an animated episodic structure.
An Animated Borderlands Adaptation Might Have Been a Much Better Fit for the Franchise
Other Gaming IPs Have Found Success in the Animated Medium
Film adaptations of videogameshave a long history of often being known for being lower quality, and subsequently not particularly well-received by either portions of the core audience or reflected in ticket sales and critical response. One issue that is usually mentioned as contributing to this when adapting game properties to the big screen is that often the format, by nature, doesn’t have enough time to properly establish all the existing components while telling a coherent story that audiences composed of both casual and longtime fans can understand and appreciate.
However, more recently, several gaming franchises were adapted into animated series, and it seems to be a place where they have been thriving, at least compared to previous film attempts. Some notable ones include:
Castlevaniawas praised for its nuanced character work along with its takes on what is already a darker fantasy setting. Similarly,Arcanewas an intricate exploration of the tragic backstories and relationships between some of its well-known figures, particularly Jinx, Vi, and Jayce.
Borderlands' Art Style and Sense of Humor Would Lend Themselves Extremely Well to an Animated Adaptation
Borderlandshas nearly 15 years of material to draw from, and almost any of it would be ripe for further fleshing out in an animated structure.Borderlands' extensive cast of characters, world-building, and complex lore, all already have numerous elements in place that seem like they would translate fairly seamlessly into an animated version. As mentioned, the longer format would provide more space for much of the groundwork to be built without perhaps feeling pressured into getting to the thick of the action immediately. That action too, though, could appear as flashy and colorful as the games' vibrant cel-shaded design.
Borderlandscontains many crass and crude elements, but beyond those, it also has narratively and emotionally engaging aspects, such as the mystery behind the Sirens, therise and fall of Handsome Jack, and much more. Seeing the world and characters brought to life in animated form and given the space it might need to properly explore them, might be just the trick that makes for an outstanding adaptation. Though theBorderlandsmovie looks poised to provide an enjoyable experience, so long as it adheres broadly to the tone and feel of the games, Gearbox might consider creating an animated version in the future, as it would likely be a great fit.
Borderlands 3
WHERE TO PLAY
The original shooter-looter returns, packing bazillions of guns and an all-new mayhem-fueled adventure! Blast through new worlds and enemies as one of four brand new Vault Hunters – the ultimate treasure-seeking badasses of the Borderlands, each with deep skill trees, abilities, and customization. Play solo or join with friends to take on insane enemies, score loads of loot and save your home from the most ruthless cult leaders in the galaxy.A MAYHEM-FUELED THRILL RIDEStop the fanatical Calypso Twins from uniting the bandit clans and claiming the galaxy’s ultimate power. Only you, a thrill-seeking Vault Hunter, have the arsenal and allies to take them down.YOUR VAULT HUNTER, YOUR PLAYSTYLEBecome one of four extraordinary Vault Hunters, each with unique abilities, playstyles, deep skill trees, and tons of personalization options. All Vault Hunters are capable of awesome mayhem alone, but together they are unstoppable.LOCK, LOAD, AND LOOTWith bazillions of guns and gadgets, every fight is an opportunity to score new gear. Firearms with self-propelling bullet shields? Check. Rifles that spawn fire-spewing volcanoes? Obviously. Guns that grow legs and chase down enemies while hurling verbal insults? Yeah, got that too.NEW BORDERLANDSDiscover new worlds beyond Pandora, each featuring unique environments to explore and enemies to destroy. Tear through hostile deserts, battle your way across war-torn cityscapes, navigate deadly bayous, and more! QUICK & SEAMLESS CO-OP ACTIONPlay with anyone at any time online or in split-screen co-op, regardless of your level or mission progress. Take down enemies and challenges as a team, but reap rewards that are yours alone – no one misses out on loot.
