The Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands gameplay trailer gave fans a lot to be excited about, as there was plenty to see during its two-minute runtime. Melee weapons and spellcasting were seen in action, as were some special bows that look extremely powerful. A ton of enemy diversity was on display, from monstrous sharks to a huge boss. Two mysterious Borderlands characters were showcased as well, giving fans something to theorize about until the game releases next March.
However, while many may be excited about Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands and all the new things that it seems to be bringing to the table, some may be a bit confused by its use of guns. While the game goes all-in on its fantasy setting through colorful locations, character designs, and the new mechanics, the use of traditional guns stands out a bit. However, Tina herself has the perfect answer for those concerned with the high-tech weapons breaking the immersion of a fantasy setting.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ Answer To The Use Of Guns
While Borderlands has some somber moments, the series has always put comedy first - and that is not changing with Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. After some of the guns are shown off in the new Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ trailer, Tina breaks the fourth wall and directly addresses the viewers that may be confused by the use of guns in a fantasy world. Shouting “shut your face and get shooting,” Tina makes it very clear that she does not have an actual answer to the question, as it is not worth answering at all.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is prioritizing fun over everything else, and this moment shows that clearly. The game is set in a make-believe world that Tina has created, with players living out her Bunkers and Badasses campaign. With the world being fictional, the answer can simply be that guns are in the world because Tina wants them to be. As for the real reason they are there, it is because they are a blast to use. While it may be a spin-off, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is part of a looter shooter franchise. As such, removing the “shooter” aspect of its gameplay loop makes little sense.
How Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Prioritizing Fun May Impact The Rest Of The Game
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands does not waste time answering a question that does not really matter, as the focus seems to be on delivering an entertaining experience that does not get too serious. As such, players expecting answers on the Zer0 and FL4K mystery or hoping for more Siren lore will likely need to wait until Borderlands 4. However, there is nothing wrong with that, as it should prove just as interesting to experience a story where there are no rules and anything can happen.
While it is unclear if there will be a heartbreaking twist like what was seen in Assault on Dragon Keep, Tina’s explanation (or lack thereof) for the game’s use of guns should assure fans what this game is aiming to do. It seems to be taking Borderlands’ humor and dialing it up to eleven, which could be exactly what the franchise needs following the divisive story of Borderlands 3. While Borderlands has never taken itself too seriously, that playful tone has never been clearer than it is in Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. Given who the main character is, that is undoubtedly the right move.
Players should expect tons of goofy side quests where Tina comes up with random objectives, and much like at the start of Assault on Dragon Keep, she may even adjust entire environments on the fly. From a story perspective, Will Arnett’s Dragon Lord will likely be on the funny side, as it will actually be Tina speaking through the villain. The narrative she constructs will surely have no significant impact on the “real” Borderlands universe, and that is perfectly fine. While Gearbox has several questions it needs to answer in the series’ next numbered entry, giving fans an isolated story that focuses purely on making players laugh is hardly a bad thing. In fact, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ close focus on the series’ strengths could end up making make it one of the best Borderlands games yet.
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands releases on March 25, 2022, on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.