Do I Need to Play Borderlands 1 and 2 to Understand Borderlands 3? The Ultimate Guide
The short answer is no, you don’t need to play Borderlands 1 and 2 before diving into Borderlands 3. While playing the previous installments will enrich your experience, it’s not strictly required to understand the core narrative of the third game. Borderlands 3 introduces a new main plot, new villains in the Calypso Twins, and centers around a fresh set of challenges for the Vault Hunters. However, like any long-running series, understanding the context of the previous games will certainly deepen your appreciation for the world, characters, and ongoing story threads. Let’s delve deeper into this topic, explore the benefits of playing the older games, and answer some frequently asked questions.
Why You Can Jump Straight Into Borderlands 3
Borderlands 3 is designed to be relatively newcomer-friendly. The developers at Gearbox Software understand that not everyone has the time or inclination to play through hundreds of hours of previous games. Here are a few reasons why you can start with Borderlands 3:
- Self-Contained Story: The main storyline of Borderlands 3 revolves around stopping the Calypso Twins from uniting the bandit clans and claiming the power of the Great Vaults. While past events are referenced, the game does a decent job of explaining the necessary context.
- New Protagonists (Mostly): While some familiar faces return, you’ll be playing as a new group of Vault Hunters with their own motivations and backstories.
- Recaps and References: The game makes references to past events and characters, but these are typically brief and don’t require extensive knowledge of the previous games. They act more as easter eggs or fan service for those who have played the older titles.
- Gameplay Improvements: Borderlands 3 boasts significantly improved gameplay mechanics compared to its predecessors. It’s more fluid, responsive, and visually impressive, potentially making it a more enjoyable entry point for new players.
Why Playing Borderlands 1 and 2 Will Enhance Your Experience
Despite the accessibility of Borderlands 3, playing the earlier games provides a richer and more rewarding experience. Here’s why:
- Character Development: You’ll have a much deeper understanding of the returning characters like Lilith, Maya, Brick, Mordecai, and Tiny Tina. Knowing their histories, relationships, and motivations will add emotional weight to their roles in Borderlands 3.
- World-Building: The Borderlands universe is filled with lore, history, and interconnected factions. Playing the previous games will give you a better grasp of this world and its complex dynamics.
- Recurring Themes and Jokes: The series is known for its humor and recurring gags. Many of these jokes will land better if you’ve experienced the earlier games.
- Appreciating the Evolution: Seeing how the gameplay and story have evolved from Borderlands 1 to Borderlands 3 provides a unique perspective on the series as a whole.
- Emotional Investment: You’ll likely form attachments to the characters and their struggles throughout the series. This emotional investment will make the events of Borderlands 3 more impactful.
The Pre-Sequel and Tales from the Borderlands
Beyond Borderlands 1 and 2, there are two other important entries: Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel! and Tales from the Borderlands.
- Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel! fills in the gaps between Borderlands 2 and 3, showing the rise of Handsome Jack. It provides crucial context for his character arc and the events leading up to Borderlands 2.
- Tales from the Borderlands is a narrative-driven adventure game set after Borderlands 2. While its gameplay is drastically different, it introduces memorable characters and expands the Borderlands universe. Certain characters and events from Tales reappear in Borderlands 3, although their roles aren’t essential to the main plot of the third game.
Release Order vs. Chronological Order
While release order (Borderlands > Borderlands 2 > The Pre-Sequel! > Tales from the Borderlands > Borderlands 3) is generally recommended for experiencing the series as intended, some prefer a chronological order. However, playing The Pre-Sequel! before Borderlands 2 can spoil some of the latter’s plot twists.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions regarding the Borderlands series and how its entries relate to each other:
1. Is Borderlands 1 necessary to play before Borderlands 2?
No, you don’t need to play Borderlands 1 before Borderlands 2. The second game introduces a new villain, new plot, and new challenges. However, Borderlands 2 features characters from the original game as non-playable characters, so playing Borderlands 1 will give you a better understanding of their backstories.
2. Can I skip straight to Borderlands 2?
Yes, you can. Many consider Borderlands 2 to be the stronger game overall, with a more compelling story and refined gameplay. Borderlands 1 is still fun, but the story is not as good and it is not as necessary as Borderlands 2.
3. Do I need to play Tales from the Borderlands before Borderlands 3?
No, you don’t need to play Tales from the Borderlands before Borderlands 3. While it takes place within a year after the events of Borderlands 2 and introduces characters that appear in Borderlands 3, the story is largely self-contained.
4. Is it okay to start with Borderlands 3?
Yes, it’s okay to start with Borderlands 3. You’ll miss out on the excitement of seeing familiar characters and understanding their history, but it won’t significantly detract from the main story itself.
5. Do I have to play all the Borderlands games in order?
Not necessarily, but it’s recommended. A good order would be: Borderlands, Borderlands 2, The Pre-Sequel!, Tales from the Borderlands, Commander Lilith DLC (for Borderlands 2), and then Borderlands 3. If Borderlands 1 feels too dated, you can move on to Borderlands 2 and return to it later.
6. Are all the Borderlands games connected?
Yes, the plots are connected, but you don’t need to have played the previous game to understand the next. Each game builds upon the established lore and character relationships.
7. Is Borderlands beginner-friendly?
Yes, it’s a relatively accessible entry point into the RPG genre. The skill trees and character customization aren’t overly complex, making it less overwhelming than some other RPGs like Skyrim or Fallout.
8. Is Borderlands 3 a sequel or a prequel?
Borderlands 3 is a sequel. It takes place seven years after the events of Borderlands 2 and Tales from the Borderlands.
9. Is Borderlands 3 worth it without the DLC?
Yes, Borderlands 3 is worth playing without the DLC, especially if you enjoy shooter RPGs with a vast array of weapons. If you can get it on sale, even better! The base game offers a substantial amount of content.
10. Is Borderlands 3 better than 2?
This is subjective. While Borderlands 3’s gameplay is more refined, some argue that Borderlands 2 has a better story, more memorable characters, and a more engaging overall experience. Many prefer the humor and villains in Borderlands 2 as well.
11. How much time passes between Borderlands 2 and 3?
Seven years pass between the events of Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 3.
12. Is Borderlands 2 repetitive?
Some players find Borderlands 2 repetitive, particularly in its enemy variety and mission structure. However, the engaging gameplay and rewarding loot system often outweigh this issue for many.
13. What is the best Borderlands game to start with?
Borderlands 2 is often considered the best starting point due to its stronger story, more polished gameplay, and overall accessibility. However, starting with Borderlands 1 provides context for the entire series.
14. How long is Borderlands 1?
The main story of Borderlands 1 takes around 22.5 hours to complete. Completionists can expect to spend around 62.5 hours to finish everything.
15. How much time is between Borderlands 1 and 2?
Borderlands 2 is set five years after the events of the first game.
Conclusion: Play What You Want, But Consider the Benefits
Ultimately, the decision of whether to play Borderlands 1 and 2 before Borderlands 3 is a personal one. If you’re eager to jump into the latest installment, go for it! You won’t be completely lost. However, if you have the time and are willing to invest in the series’ lore and characters, playing the previous games will undoubtedly enhance your experience. The deeper understanding of the universe will provide a richer and more rewarding playthrough of Borderlands 3.
To further understand how games can be used for learning and engagement, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. It’s a great resource to explore the educational power of gaming.