Summary
In some ways, the third game was a significant departure from its predecessors in theBorderlandsseries, but in other ways it stuck to convention. The gameplay is tremendously similar, and the loot-based progression system remains largely the same, but there are some stark differences in thecharacters and locations inBorderlands 3that make it feel like a new game.Borderlands 4will likely want to shake things up once again, and one of the ways to do this is to shift the characters around even more, potentially finding interesting ways to bring some familiar faces back into the fold.
Dr. Zed inBorderlandsis one such personality. The characters that litter Pandora are essential to the success of each release, no matter how seemingly inconsequential. While Dr. Zed doesn’t have as much of an impact as the likes of Lilith or Handsome Jack, seeing him return inBorderlands 4would be a good way to make the series feel even more connected, and would also serve to bring back a character who has a lot of potential for more development. How he is implemented will also be key, however, and fortunately, seeing him return could correct a big issue with the franchise.
How Zed Could Return to Borderlands 4
One way that players could recover from damage in the olderBorderlandsgames is by way of the Insta-Health items that were left lying around Pandora. They are instantly recognizable from other loot because of their specific shade of red, and are often a welcome sight, but they were not present inBorderlands 3apart from the sparely-used Nasty Meals.Borderlandsis a series that doesn’t take meticulous storytelling too seriously, so it’s easy to suspend disbelief that they’re just present in every area, but bringingDr. Zed back toBorderlandsalongside these health items could see Gearbox killing two birds with one stone. Like Petruccio’s feathers inAssassin’s Creed 2, having collectibles and items associated with a specific character helps give them context, and just a shred more narrative weight.
Dr. Zed is a resident of Fyrestone, later relocating to New Haven, and appears in bothBorderlandsandBorderlands 2, but is absent from the third game.
There are more conventional ways that Dr. Zed could return inBorderlands 4, like being the on-site doctor at Sanctuary or as a consistent quest-giver like he is in previous games, but ifBorderlands 4wants to take a step up in quality, making returns more meaningful through seamless integration, as opposed to a haphazard cameo for the sake of a cheap chuckle, would be a big help.
Borderlands 4 Could Use a Doctor’s Touch
It could be a compelling narrative choice to see the Vault Hunters experience some kind of injury or battle scar early in the game, adding to the sense of urgency and potentially bringing some new presentational flourishes. Like Atreus inGod of War, orJoel inThe Last of Us, it shows that the protagonist isn’t unbeatable or impervious to harm. Like players met Zed early on in the original Borderlands, they could go to him near the start ofBorderlands 4to get patched up, owing him a debt that they pay up on later in the story or through side quests.
Even if he admittedly isn’t actually a real doctor, having him return to provide medical attention to the new Vault Hunters would do well to justify his existence instead of just shoehorning him into the plot with little reason for him to be there, or leaving him out of the game completely likeGearboxdid inBorderlands 3. He’s a character that is a shining example of Pandora’s mad inhabitants, and would be a welcome addition toBorderlands 4, asBorderlands 3lacked the presence of a doctor throughout its narrative. Plus, Dr. Zed returning would open the door to a comeback for Dr. Ned, a character who would be a perfect fit for a new Bloody Harvest event inBorderlands 4.
