Summary
A game is only as good as its character cast, andBorderlandshas been hitting the nail on the head with this dynamic since its inception. The stream of character additions was a staple feature of post-launch eras of the series' installments, and it shocked fans when Gearbox broke tradition by announcingBorderlands 3wouldn’t feature a playable character DLC. As such, new faces haven’t been forthcoming, and withBorderlands 4on the horizon, Gearbox could look to shuffle its cards and bring back some fan-favorite characters that have been left behind in the franchise’s long journey.
Like many mainline series, the cast ofBorderlands' most recent edition and its debut differ significantly, with many important figures dropping by the wayside due to deaths in the storyline and other factors. However, a few such characters still hold value in the player base today, as fans reminisce about the odd joke or act of bravery displayed, and those that are still living but have just stepped out of the story could be seen again. As such,Borderlandsfaithful are holding out hope for the return of a few popularcharacters inBorderlands 4.
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Dr. Zed
One of themost iconic video game doctors, Dr. Zed was conspicuously absent fromBorderlands 3’s proceedings. The omission of the traveling doctor and his wily nature left a gaping hole, and there’s no in-game explanation for his absence. Speculation has it that the character’s voice actor couldn’t commit to recording new lines for the game due to personal issues, but with his heavy involvement in the series and the Dr. Ned conundrum, Dr. Zed’s return inBorderlands 4would be welcomed with open arms by the fan base.
Fiona
The mark of a good series is when a spin-off character can steal the hearts of its consumers, and Fiona did just that inTales From The Borderlands. Her dynamic duo relationship with her sister, Sasha, was considered one of the best parts of the spin-off, and the hints of a love triangle between her, Sasha, and Rhys were the talk of the town. Fiona is a paradoxical character in the true sense of the term - a con woman with a soft heart - and herdisappearance was never revisited inNew Tales From The Borderlandsdespite Fiona being shown in the final scene, which is an omission that should be corrected inBorderlands 4.
Springs
Appearing in thePre-SequelandTales From the Borderlands, Janey Springs is a multifaceted character with professions in junk dealing and writing children’s books. Once again, the paradoxical clash is a theme with Springs, and she holds a romantic interest in Athena. Apart from her flirtatious moments and an eventual relationship with Athena inTales from the Borderlands, her character wasn’t really expanded on, and she could use somedevelopment inBorderlands 4.
Butt Stallion
Just about everyBorderlandsfan loved Handsome Jack, and confirmation of his death dimmed the lights onBorderlands 3by quite a bit. Although he died inBorderlands 2, his character reappeared as an AI solely visible to Rhys inTales From the Borderlands. Butt Stallion fell into a deep depression afterHandsome Jack’s death, eventually coming under the guidance of Tiny Tina. The young explosives expert has since headlined a spin-off game where Butt Stallion featured prominently, though Butt Stallion hasn’t featured in the main franchise sinceBorderlands 2, and bringing her back would honor Handsome Jack’s memory.
Axton
After a stellar role as the Commando inBorderlands 2, Axton was an odds-on favorite to return inBorderlands 3, so his absence from the cast raised eyebrows in the fan base. He appears after a fashion in the Arms Race mode ofSeason Pass 2as a commentator and a risque model, but the reduced role hardly befits his character, especially considering his status as a Vault Hunter with a complex past inBorderlands 2.Borderlands 4is another chance for Gearbox to expand on Axton’s persona in a less comedic manner, and fans are looking forward to his return.
