While Borderlands 3 fans have been critical about the game’s narrative, most of the biggest criticisms revolve around the same three points. Maya’s fate was viewed as rushed and unnecessary, with her apprentice Ava being generally despised amongst the Borderlands fan base. Finally, most fans seem to agree that The Calypso Twins were a step down from Handsome Jack, failing to fill the shoes of the iconic villain.
However, one other issue that fans had with Borderlands 3 was rectified with the DLC. Gamers wanted to see what happened to several characters from past games, and Gearbox gave them this information through the two Season Passes. Gaige served as a wedding planner for Hammerlock and Wainwright, while players entered Krieg’s mind to help him grieve properly. Salvador and Axton returned in Arms Race, too, giving players time with several characters that missed out on the main story. However, several other characters did not appear, leaving players to question where they went. With Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands set before Borderlands 3, it could provide fans with some much-needed answers.
What Happened After The Watcher’s Warning In Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel?
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel ended with a major cliffhanger that teased a Vault Hunter-filled war. Mentioned by The Watcher, fans were not given much insight into what this war could entail. While Borderlands 3’s story does see players going to war with The Calypso Twins, this conflict does not seem to be of the same caliber as what was teased. With head of the Gearbox Story Group Randy Varnell teasing that this War will still come, too, players may get to experience it in the next mainline game.
While Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands will certainly not show this war, as the game focuses on a Fantasy-based campaign created by Tina, it could explain what The Watcher has been up to. Only referred to in a collectible recorded long before the events of Borderlands 3, this intriguing Guardian does not play any part in the main story. Still, with Guardians coming back into focus through the Director’s Cut, it may not be long before The Watcher returns. With Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands place in the Borderlands timeline seeing it occur shortly after Borderlands 2, the spinoff could explain where The Watcher went after it delivered its message. The reaction of Lilith and the other Vault Hunters could also be shown, briefly teasing something that could be picked up in Borderlands 4.
What Happened To Athena, Fiona, And Gortys?
While Borderlands 3’s DLC content was strong, as it did a terrific job of bringing back fan favorite characters, there were still some surprising omissions. One of the biggest was Athena, a character that has been around since the original game’s Secret Armory of General Knoxx DLC. Players get no updates on Athena in Borderlands 3, with no further insight given on her relationship with Springs or what she has been doing since fans last saw her. Once again, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands could provide an answer, either making Athena playable or having her talk to Tina as the game progresses.
Outside of Athena, two popular characters from Telltale’s Tales From The Borderlands were left out of Borderlands 3. While fans were pleased to see Rhys get such a large role, the game’s other lead character Fiona was left unmentioned. Given the huge cliffhanger ending of Tales From the Borderlands, which saw Fiona whisked away to some unknown location, it would be great to get some insight on where she went. Given that she aspired to become a Vault Hunter, and wielded a neat hidden pistol that would be a great action skill, she could make a fine playable character one day. While this likely will not happen in Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, the game could at least explain where Fiona went after opening the Vault of the Traveler. Even if Tina jokingly works it into her game as a direct nod to fans, an update on Fiona would be nice.
Finally, there is Tales From The Borderlands’ Gortys, a lovable little bot with a knack for fighting Vault Monsters. While the character proved to be incredibly popular with fans, she has not appeared since the spinoff game. However, she could easily be worked into Tina’s new adventure. Unlike Fiona, there is no baggage with Gortys, and she could add a lot to Tina’s new story with her cheerful sense of humor. Whether she plays a part in the game or watches from the sidelines, she is another character that deserves something more. While further explanation of The Watcher’s Warning would be big from a story standpoint, seeing some of the characters that were left out of Borderlands 3 could be just as exciting.
Borderlands 3 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.