Summary
Borderlands Collection: Pandora’s Boxis a big release for fans of the series, but it could be unintentionally telling forBorderlands 4’s future. Those who are interested in theBorderlandsgames will undoubtedly be able to find good value in the collection. However, even with so much content at the player’s disposal, they could still be left wondering about the next game in the franchise. In fact, the existence of the collection itself could be telling regardingBorderlands 4’s eventual release. At least, one can make fair assumptions from the circumstances of its release.
Borderlands Collection: Pandora’s Boxincludesevery game in theBorderlandsseries, except for last year’s spin-offTiny Tina’s Wonderlandsand the mobile gameBorderlands Legends. That means that players can get the first three numbered games,Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, and both installments ofTales From the Borderlandsin one package. In addition, all the DLC and add-ons from these games is included as well, making it the most completeBorderlandscollection made available to date. With six full games altogether, players will have a lot of gameplay to look forward to, whether they’re revisiting the series or playing for the first time.
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Borderlands Collection: Pandora’s Box Could Hold Fans Over Until Borderlands 4
Pandora’s Boxisn’t the firstBorderlandscollection to be released, as2015’sBorderlands: The Handsome Collectionbeat it to the punch. However,The Handsome Collectionwas a far smaller package, only featuringBorderlands 2andThe Pre-Sequel. Since those were the two games that prominently featured the series' iconic villain Handsome Jack, that makes sense for the bundle’s title. That also explains the otherwise-puzzling decision to leave out the first game. Just likePandora’s Box, it was the best way at the time for players to getBorderlandsgames on the latest console, but the two could also share a second similarity as well.
The Handsome Collectioncame out three years afterBorderlands 2, and three years beforeBorderlands 3. Since thewait forBorderlands 4’s releaseis still ongoing, there’s a chance thatPandora’s Boxcould be playing a similar role to keep the series relevant during the wait for a new installment. By that logic, sinceBorderlands 3came out four years ago, that would mean that it could be another four years untilBorderlands 4, withPandora’s Boxmarking the halfway point between the two. While it’s not definitive proof of anything, it would make sense as a tactic to keep fans thinking about the series.
The fact thatBorderlands Collection: Pandora’s Boxhas so much to offer would make it effective for holding fans over untilBorderlands 4.Borderlands Collection: Pandora’s Box’s massive sizeis made up of several fairly long games, so there is more than enough to keep someone playing for quite a while. If Gearbox wanted to use it to fill the gap between the next two games, then there probably aren’t many more effective ways to do so. It’s highly likely that a player will be able to finish every game in the collection beforeBorderlands 4comes out, but that would only build more anticipation for the game.
Borderlands 4may be subject to much speculation, but its release date is still a complete mystery. Even with what littlefans may know aboutBorderlands 4, they still need something to do while they wait for it.Borderlands Collection: Pandora’s Boxmight be the best move that Gearbox has for the series at the moment in that sense. While it’s not reinventing past games, it is making them available again for players to enjoy in the meantime. IfPandora’s Boxfollows inThe Handsome Collection’s footsteps, thenBorderlands 4could very well be four years away.
Borderlands Collection: Pandora’s Boxis available now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
