How to play the Borderlands games in order

As a seasoned gamer and Borderlands enthusiast who has traversed Pandora since its inception back in 2009, I can confidently say that the Borderlands series is a wild ride that never fails to deliver a unique blend of humor, action, and chaos.

Ever since its debut in 2009, the Borderlands franchise has stood out as one of the craziest and most unconventional series within the gaming world.

Due to its widespread popularity, a Borderlands movie has been made featuring actors like Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Kevin Hart.

If you’ve just started playing the games because of the movie, you might be curious about the optimal sequence to experience them. With several main games and numerous DLC expansions available, here’s a possible arrangement:

Fortunately for you, we do have a recommended best order to play the Borderlands games in.

Based on my years of gaming experience, I’ve found that there are multiple ways to approach these games, but I personally prefer playing them in chronological order as it provides a more immersive and coherent storyline. The release order can sometimes feel disjointed due to certain plot points being spread across different games. However, the list of releases and their respective chronological order is provided below for those who wish to explore both options.

Borderlands games in order of release

How to play the Borderlands games in order

Borderlands

Back in 2009, Borderlands burst onto the gaming scene, swiftly winning over players with its unique aesthetic and frenetic, humorous gameplay. The game was a smash hit, as it should have been, and it continues to shine with its originality in subsequent releases. What’s more, thanks to a remaster, it has held up remarkably well over the years and is still just as enjoyable to play today as it was when first unveiled 12 years ago.

Borderlands 2

Three years after the initial release, Borderlands 2 arrived, quickly proving to players that this wasn’t going to be a letdown as a follow-up. While the first game was enjoyable, this one raised the bar significantly by building upon the original’s foundations and transforming it into a game that surpasses it in numerous aspects. It retained its quirky spirit with the same dose of insane gameplay and amusing moments scattered everywhere. Truly, Borderlands 2 lived up to being an excellent sequel.

Borderlands The Pre-Sequel

As a long-time fan of the Borderlands franchise, I must admit that Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is a unique and enjoyable addition to the series. Despite not being chronologically positioned between the first two games, it cleverly uses flashbacks as a framing device that makes sense within the context of the storyline.

Tales From the Borderlands

As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I must say that this game was a refreshing change of pace for me. Coming from Telltale, a studio renowned for their episodic point-and-click stories, it offered a unique blend of humor, action, and intrigue that kept me hooked from start to finish. The game delves deep into the world and lore of its universe, providing a captivating narrative that stands on its own merits.

Borderlands 3

In 2019, I got my hands on Borderlands 3, a sequel that introduced fresh planets to traverse but fell short of recapturing the enchantment found in the original two main series games. Don’t get me wrong; it was still jam-packed with the same goofy fun and occasional innovative elements we love. However, it seems that franchise fatigue has taken its toll, as longstanding problems like overly durable boss battles have become more prevalent than ever. Here’s hoping that when Borderlands 4 arrives, the developers will listen to our feedback and deliver a game that surpasses all expectations!

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, a standalone game based on Borderlands, follows directly from the DLC expansion, Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep (which was part of Borderlands 2). Unlike the main series, it takes place within a fantasy-style tabletop RPG setting. Upon its release in 2022, it received positive reviews overall.

New Tales from the Borderlands

The most recent installment in the series serves as a sequel to Tales from the Borderlands. Like its predecessor, New Tales from the Borderlands is an adventure game and was launched in October 2022, receiving a variety of opinions from critics.

Borderlands games in chronological order

How to play the Borderlands games in order

While this sequence might be a bit intricate, feel free to proceed at your own pace. However, if you prefer, let me guide you through playing the games in narrative order instead of release order. Here’s a general outline:

Borderlands
Borderlands 2
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
Tales from the Borderlands
Borderlands 3
New Tales from the Borderlands
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands

In essence, the challenge we’re dealing with pertains to Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. Although most of the gameplay occurs following the initial Borderlands and preceding the second, the narrative structure unfolds through flashbacks, with the current events being set after Borderlands 2.

Although you can progress linearly and follow the story sequentially, we recommend experiencing the chaotic cosmos of Borderlands by playing the games in their original release order. This approach offers the most immersive experience. Playing Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands doesn’t significantly affect this recommendation since it is a spin-off.

Is the Borderlands movie canon?

No, the Borderlands movie is not canon to the events of the game series.

In a post on X (previously known as Twitter) back in 2021, Randy Pitchford, head of Gearbox (the studio behind Borderlands games), clarified that the movie falls under the umbrella of its cinematic universe.

In this video game world, the stories told through these games are considered official or valid (canon). While there are similarities between them, they also have distinct differences. To help understand this better, think about how Marvel creates their movies differently than their comics.

In the movie world, that particular film fits into the storyline continuity we know as the cinematic universe. Similarly, in the gaming realm, those specific games belong to the narrative sequence we call the videogame universe. While there are similarities between them, they also have their unique differences. Just like how Marvel comics and movies each tell a distinct yet interconnected story.
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) April 6, 2021

2024-08-07 16:35