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Why Borderlands 4 Should Be On Unreal Engine 5

Why Borderlands 4 Should Be On Unreal Engine 5

F
FinalBossJanuary 17, 2024
5 min read

Exploring the necessity of Unreal Engine 5 for “Borderlands 4,” this article argues for a transformative visual upgrade to redefine the franchise’s aesthetic standards.

Key Takeaways

  • The visual similarities between “Borderlands 2” and “Borderlands 3” highlight the need for significant graphical advancements in “Borderlands 4.”
  • Unreal Engine 5 offers revolutionary capabilities that could address the stagnation in the series’ visual development.
  • Leveraging Unreal Engine 5 for “Borderlands 4” could set a new benchmark for video game graphics, ensuring the franchise remains a visual trailblazer.

As we eagerly anticipate the release of Borderlands 4, a pivotal question arises : Should Borderlands 4 leverage the groundbreaking capabilities of Unreal Engine 5?

Playing Borderlands 3 for hours on end gave me a sense of fulfillment, but a sense of déjà vu washed over me, transporting me back to 2012, when Borderlands 2 was released. As I continued to play, gunning down psychopaths with my shotgun, I realized something surprising.

While Borderlands 3 has a solid narrative and its world and dialogue are as quirky as they were when I first played it, the graphics of Borderlands 3 reminded me of its 2012 predecessor. 

Placing Borderlands 2 and 3 side-by-side in a random mission, it’s a Herculean feat to tell them apart graphically. If not for the improved gameplay and firearms, in most other respects the two games look similar to me.

And it’s not just my observation; many members of the community, while loving Borderlands 3, haven’t seen the significant graphical advances made in the eight years between the two titles. 

I get it, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it“, but Gearbox may have taken that adage a little too literally.

Aside from minor tweaks like Lilith’s outfit, new character designs and evolving weapon skins, most of the game, from bandits to psychopaths, feels like a rehash of already-existing elements.

No one would have batted an eyelid if Borderlands 3 was part of an annual saga like Assassin’s Creed, but with almost a decade gone by, this lack of evolution is perplexing.

Gearbox Studio needs to change that and bring a revolution to Borderlands 4‘s graphics, elevating it beyond a single level and a DLC pack packed with an arsenal of weapons. 

While old habits die hard, and confirmation will have to wait, we’re confident that the new Borderlands will be developed using the Unreal Engine 5.

Borderlands 4 Will Run On Unreal Engine 5

With Unreal Engine 5 at its disposal, Gearbox Software has the opportunity to revolutionize the aesthetics of the series. 

The new engine, known for its cutting-edge features, could bring a much-needed visual overhaul to the Borderlands universe. 

The potential of the Unreal Engine 5 in Borderlands 4 is more than just a graphical update; it’s an opportunity for the series to redefine what gamers expect from a visual perspective. 

As we’ve seen previously, Borderlands 3’s graphics were met with mild criticism, with many feeling that they hadn’t evolved significantly from their predecessor. The bar is set very high for Borderlands 4, and Gearbox Studios knows it. 

We’re expecting not just minor improvements, but a major transformation that justifies the long wait since the last installment. 

While Borderlands 3 used the Unreal Engine 4, it makes sense that Gearbox is already hard at work harnessing the power of the Unreal Engine 5 for Borderlands 4.

The use of the Unreal Engine 5 for Borderlands 4 will not only allow the title to reclaim its place as a visual trailblazer in the world of video games, but will also hopefully set a new standard.

It’s not just about keeping up with the times, it’s about Gearbox paving the way for a new era in video game aesthetics.