Comparing Borderlands 3's DLC to Borderlands 2's | Game Rant
Though the season pass content of Borderlands 3 has all been released, the game’s support is far from over. With a second Borderlands 3 season pass currently in progress, players can expect to be causing mayhem in the latest Gearbox looter-shooter for some time. This is good news considering how Borderlands fans have been treated to some excellent DLC over the series’ decade-long history, with fans seeing everything from Secret Armories to the inner workings of a Psycho’s mind.
While each Borderlands DLC is vastly different from the last in terms of the locations visited and enemies fought, some interesting parallels can be drawn between the expansions of Borderlands 2 and 3. Whether it be through a focus on the same character, the tackling of similar themes, or the expansion of the same area in the Borderlands universe, each Borderlands 3 expansion has a Borderlands 2 DLC that it can be compared to. By looking at the DLCs side-by-side, players can see just how similar and different the post-launch offerings are for the two Borderlands games.
Borderlands 3’s first DLC saw players getting another dose of Handsome Jack, with the character’s legacy living on in the DLC. While he may only be seen on holograms and videos hyping up the casino, Jack’s presence in Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot is felt throughout the DLC’s runtime. With Pre-Sequel character Timothy’s surprising return coming in the expansion as well, the DLC served as a great reminder of Handsome Jack’s effect on the Borderlands universe. Seeing players fighting Hyperion loaders once again, the DLC also proved that Jack will always be associated with the Hyperion brand, with the company unable to escape the charismatic monster.
Thematically, the best connection to the Handsome Jackpot DLC is Borderlands 2’s second expansion. Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage introduced players to the eccentric founder of the Torgue brand. Boasting an explosive and loud personality that matches the weapons his company makes, Torgue is the perfect representation of his own company. Not only did the DLC introduce another character that instantly won Borderlands fans over, but it provided a face for the Torgue brand. Like Rhys with Atlas, Katagawa with Maliwan, and Wainwright with Jakobs, Torgue’s addition helped give another manufacturer a voice in the growing Borderlands universe. Both Handsome Jackpot and Campaign of Carnage expanded on two of the game’s weapon makers, adding even more character to Hyperion and Torgue.
The second expansion of Borderlands 3 saw Wainwright Jakobs and Sir Hammerlock finally tying the knot, with Gaige stealing the show and providing many of the expansion’s most memorable moments. While it was certainly great to see the Mechromancer again, the choice of a Borderlands 2 DLC to compare with Guns, Love, and Tentacles is hardly difficult. With one of the grooms in the wedding previously getting a Borderlands 2 expansion where he was a major focus, it seems obvious that the two be looked at together.
Borderlands 2’s Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt DLC saw similar weapons added, as the titular character’s preference for Jakobs gear was made clear. With multiple great Jakobs weapons added via the Guns, Love, and Tentacles DLC as well, the expansions share a similar pool of legendary guns. Apart from a heavy push for the “one shot one kill” Jakobs brand and a focus on Hammerlock, however, the DLCs are very different. While the Borderlands 2 expansion focused on Professor Nakayama’s attempt to revive Handsome Jack, Borderlands 3’s Hammerlock DLC dealt with a Lovecraftian cult. Guns, Love, and Tentacles was also much longer than the brief Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt expansion, a major positive for fans wanting a meatier post-launch experience.
Borderlands 3's third DLC saw the game leaning into Western tropes, providing a great theme for an expansion. Taking players to the planet of Gehanna where a gorgeous mixture of Wild West and Japanese architecture can be seen, Bounty of Blood proves that cowboys and Borderlands were a natural fit. While some fans would have liked to see a Red Dead Redemption reference, the DLC still offered fans a fun romp full of fights with dinosaur-like “devils” and memorable locales to shoot through. Perhaps its best addition was its villain, however, as Rose stands out from the other post-launch threats. A brutal antagonist with a stylish outfit and weapon, the character makes her mark throughout the DLC — though she does not die in its finale.
Rose’s narrow escape mirrors Captain Scarlett’s disappearance in Borderlands 2’s excellent Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate’s Booty DLC. After the pirate and her pet Roscoe are defeated by the Vault Hunter, the double-crosser teleports away from players. Not appearing physically in other Borderlands 2 DLC or Borderlands 3, Scarlett has yet to keep her promise of clashing with the Vault Hunters again.
Intriguingly, the Borderlands story writers have left the two characters alive after their respective DLCs, and with both characters coming from a life of crime, an interesting opportunely for a team-up presents itself. While this is purely speculation, the pirate and cowboy pairing up in the future makes sense, as the two women share similar morals and goals. With each DLC introducing new vehicles and massive areas for players to explore, Bounty of Blood and Her Pirate’s Booty have similar gameplay loops as well.
Borderlands 3’s final expansion (so far) sees players entering the mind of Krieg, the playable psycho from Borderlands 2. Full of hidden details Borderlands 3 fans have have missed, the DLC is a great exploration of what makes Krieg tick. Aside from the duality of the tortured character, his relationship with Maya is highlighted wonderfully, allowing the few serious moments of the DLC to really shine. In an expansion focused on absurd moments like moon-shooting and boss battles with evil trains, the emotional beats of the DLC are ultimately its greatest strength.
The same can be said for Borderlands 2’s Assault on Dragon Keep. Aside from focusing on the fan-favorite Tiny Tina and featuring the great premise of a playable Dungeons and Dragons game (called Bunkers and Badasses in-universe), the expansion acknowledged Tina's grieving over Roland’s death. Getting over the loss in the only way a child can, Tina’s game saw Roland come back to life and get a heroic sendoff. Providing closure for Roland much like how Krieg’s DLC gives Maya a longer sendoff, Assault on Dragon Keep excels for more than its nerdy jokes and silly Game of Thrones references. Both DLCs balance character development and zany humor well, making them fitting conclusions to their respective season passes.
While Borderlands 2 featured a surprise fifth expansion, Commander Lilith and the Fight for Sanctuary, there is not a fifth Borderlands 3 expansion to compare it to as of now. While Borderlands 3’s upcoming Director’s Cut DLC could bring more story content to the game and function like another large DLC, Gearbox has said little about the expansion thus far. Fans will need to wait and see if another proper expansion comes, but even if it does not, there are plenty of interesting connections to be made between the post-launch offerings of Borderlands 2 and 3. While Borderlands 3 has expanded upon its four Vault Hunters as opposed to adding new ones, its other DLC packs resemble Borderlands 2 very closely.
Borderands 3 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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