Quite a lot has transpired since the initial release ofBorderlands 3back in September of last year. With multiple online events, a cacophony of Shift codes, and four full length DLC campaigns already released,Borderlands 3has witnessed its fair share of success. Although, this new and upcoming online mode will feature the return of two very familiar characters.
The idea to add a battle royale/roguelike style online mode toBorderlands 3in the form ofArms Racewas a rather unexpected, yet interesting move. It’s somewhat of a departure from the RPG style gameplay most fans ofBorderlandshave come to expect from the series. However, a surprising key detail of the new online mode is the choice of commentators.
RELATED:Borderlands 3: 10 Things It Should Bring Back From Previous Games
WhenArms Racelaunches on November 10th, the events within the mode will feature commentary from two returning vault hunters:Salvador and AxtonfromBorderlands 2. Many were curious why the two vault hunters weren’t seen inBorderlands 3, but now it seems that both characters will finally be returning in some capacity.
It will be hard to know if either one will really contribute anything in terms of the overarching story or if their momentary departure from the series will receive any kind of explanation. Maya andZeroreceived a decent amount of attention and backstory in terms of what the characters did after the events of the previous game. Now that both Salvador and Axton have just showed up in this new gameplay mode, it’s difficult to say if fans of the series will receive any further plot details.
While references are made to what Axton did between games is alluded to throughoutBorderlands 3,such as his modeling career, not much is known about what Salvador did after the events ofBorderlands 2,other than an old wanted poster hanging on a wall in The Lodge. On top of all of this,Arms Raceisn’t a story campaign; it’s an online multiplayer mode separate from the main game with a central focus on gameplay. Therefore, it’s not trying to tell a story.
In any case, it will be interesting to see what ultimately becomes of both characters and how Gearbox will choose to utilize them in this mode. While for many fans this is a very nice return,Borderlands 3is still missing quite a number of characters introduced in previous installments. The fact that characters like Dr. Zed and Athena or most of theTales from the Borderlandscast isn’t present inBorderlands 3is still very confusing for some.
Borderlands 3is available now for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Stadia with PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions on the way.
