At the end of Borderlands 2, Lilith and the Vault Hunters defeat Handsome Jack and retrieve the Vault key along with a map revealing numerous other Vaults on different planets. In the follow-up DLC, Commander Lilith and the Fight for Sanctuary, the heroes lose the key and Lilith. The leader of the Crimson Raiders instructs them to leave Pandora and gather information about the Vaults. In Borderlands 3, players can choose from four new classes: Zane the Operative, Moze the Gunner, Amara the Siren, and FL4K the Beastmaster. Lilith recruits the Vault Hunters to reach the Vaults before the Calypso Twins, Troy, and Tyreen, who are also Sirens. The twins have united all the bandits on Pandora into a single faction known as the Children of the Vault (COV) through streaming and portraying themselves as gods. Early on, it’s revealed that the Calypso Twins can steal the powers of other Sirens, which they demonstrate by taking Lilith’s abilities. With the Vault key in hand, the Crimson Raiders venture into space to locate the Vaults.
Borderlands 3: Loot, Bugs, and Sanctuary III
This allows players to receive loot designated specifically for them, although the option for shared loot from past titles is still available for those who prefer it. While co-op gameplay functions smoothly, playing solo may present technical issues. However, frame drops may occur, prompting some players to switch to Performance mode for smoother gameplay, albeit with slightly reduced visuals. Unfortunately, Borderlands 3 isn't devoid of bugs. Some missions may encounter checkpoint issues, and NPCs may become stuck, requiring restarts. Given the game's planetary space travel theme, the home base is the Sanctuary III spaceship, where players can engage in various activities and even find opportunities to buy Xbox games. The lost loot machine on Sanctuary provides items left behind during missions, prioritizing loot of purple rarity or higher due to limited inventory space. Players can purchase storage upgrades from Marcus Munitions using cash instead of Eridium, previously required for such upgrades. Crazy Earl's vending machine offers "anointed" weapons, providing buffs after using an action skill. However, players may find these purchases underwhelming. Crazy Earl also operates a customization-focused shop offering class skins and emotes.
Borderlands 3: Expanding Horizons
Sanctuary also houses the legendary Golden Chest, accessible using golden keys obtained through SHIFT codes provided by Gearbox. While the ship offers familiar features like Mad Moxxi's bar for gambling and receiving weapons or a spot to buy PS5 games, there isn't much new to explore compared to previous titles. Players often use the ship primarily for selling weapons, storing items, and little else, despite its spaciousness, leaving room for potential expansion of activities. Guns now have a noticeable kick with every shot, enhancing the shooting experience. Additionally, some guns feature alternate firing modes accessed by pressing down on the D-pad. These modes vary based on the gun's brand; for example, Atlas weapons can track enemies, while Maliwan weapons can switch between elemental types. Unlike previous titles where the map was confined to one level, Borderlands 3 allows players to view multiple levels of the map, although each section must be fully explored to reveal all points of interest. From Promethea's neon metropolis, the headquarters of the Atlas corporation, to Athenas' serene monk monastery, each planet retains the charm familiar to fans of the series.
Borderlands 3: Fractured Bonds
In Borderlands 2, the vault hunters rallied together with characters from the original title to confront Handsome Jack, fostering a sense of camaraderie and significance to the narrative. However, Borderlands 3 deviates from this formula, failing to bring the characters together despite facing a more dire threat. The lack of emotional resonance is further highlighted by the indifference shown towards the death of an important character, a stark contrast to the mourning and reflection seen after Roland's death in Borderlands 2. The story of Borderlands 3 attempts to introduce surprising moments, but due to its predictable plot and execution, these moments often fall flat. The Calypso Twins, while charismatic antagonists lack the depth and characterization of Handsome Jack. Throughout most of the game, they primarily taunt the vault hunter or engage in typical sibling squabbles, only revealing more about their background late in the story, by which point it's challenging to develop a significant emotional investment.
Borderlands 3: Proving Grounds Pursuit
After completing the main story, players can engage in trials called Proving Grounds to test their strengths. To access these trials, players must scan Eridium writings scattered across each planet. Each trial resembles a horde mode where players progress through rooms, defeating enemies until confronting a boss at the end. While these rewards are more costly than bonus stats, they apply to every character a player has.