One of the highlights of the Borderlands series is its array of pop-culture references and hidden surprises, and the highly anticipated Borderlands 4 has the chance to push these boundaries further. With each new installment expanding the open world for exploration, developer Gearbox Software has incorporated increasingly elaborate and intricate secrets for players to discover. Among these, Borderlands 2 stands out for featuring an elaborate easter egg inspired by a legendary fantasy tale. As the next chapter in the series, Borderlands 4 could build on this concept, making the already complex easter egg even more enticing and rewarding.
While details about Borderlands 4 remain scarce, fans have been speculating about its potential features since the release of Borderlands 3. Despite the mixed reception of the third installment, subsequent DLCs and the launch of New Tales from the Borderlands have opened up a host of new narrative possibilities. With numerous directions available for Borderlands 4 to explore, the game has the chance to address past issues and enhance its use of lore and pop-culture references.
Unveiling the Extensive Lord of the Rings Easter Egg in Borderlands 2
Borderlands 2 remains a fan favorite in the series for good reason. Introducing the iconic villain Handsome Jack and diverse landscapes on Pandora, the game also boasts one of the most intricate easter eggs in the series. After acquiring a hidden item in the game's initial area, players embark on a journey across the entire map of Borderlands 2, mirroring the epic quest of The Lord of the Rings.
The LOTR easter egg in Borderlands 2 begins at Claptrap's Place, where players discover The Gear in the fireplace after reaching Eridium Blight in True Vault Hunter mode. This gear symbolizes the One Ring, initiating the elaborate easter egg. Similar to the adventures of the Hobbits in The Lord of the Rings, players must trek on foot to the peak of Eridium Blight's volcano. At the summit, they encounter Geary, a character resembling Gollum from the LOTR saga. Any deviation from the journey's rules, such as using fast travel or vehicles, requires restarting the entire process. Successfully completing the quest results in a unique loot drop from Rakks released by Geary. Failure leads to an endless cycle of being slapped by Geary and restarting from the beginning.
Enhancing The Gear Easter Egg in Borderlands 4
Although the LOTR easter egg in Borderlands 2 is a standout feature, Borderlands 4 has the opportunity to elevate and refine this concept in a fresh iteration. While the original journey was expansive, it leaned more towards being tedious than engaging. A revamped The Quest of the Ring easter egg in Borderlands 4 could incorporate mini easter eggs along the path, recreating pivotal moments from the Lord of the Rings series. These additions would not only increase the number of unique easter eggs in Borderlands 4 but also serve as indicators of correct progression for players.
In addition to these checkpoint easter eggs, Borderlands 4 could introduce combat encounters inspired by significant battles from the LOTR lore. Players might face parodies of Helm's Deep, Shelob's Lair, The Black Gate, and other iconic events as they journey towards the final destination. Each successful checkpoint could reward players with additional loot, culminating in the discovery of exclusive weapons inspired by key artifacts from the LOTR universe, reminiscent of Borderlands 3's Burning Chomper shotgun. While the specifics of Borderlands 4 are yet to be unveiled officially, fans are eager for the game to continue its tradition of intricate and elaborate easter eggs, with an enhanced version of BL2's The Quest of the Ring being just one promising concept.