Summary
- Borderlands 2 is usually hailed as the best in the series, surpassing its predecessor in many ways.
- Fans gearing up for Borderlands 4 should revisit BL2 for its memorable characters and DLCs and potentially explore alternate builds.
- Restarting Borderlands 2 in 2025 is ideal to prepare for BL4’s release and how it seeks to bring the series into the future.
Borderlands 2 was originally released in 2012, and even well after that and subsequent entries since, the second main title is still largely thought of as the strongest in the series. Borderlands 2 consistently tops critical and fans’ rankings for the best of the Borderlands games’ bunch so far, with its legacy remaining the most enduring. Gearbox Software’s sophomore outing is hailed as a looter-shooter opus, often credited with truly putting the franchise and genre at large on the gaming map. While Borderlands has continued with major new entries and various spin-offs, many would be hard-pressed to argue that any have managed to surpass BL2 overall.
After the third and most recent numbered entry in 2019 received more muted reactions, fans were left wondering and waiting to see what the developer was planning next for Borderlands. Following a period of mostly silence, 2024 saw fans get some welcome news, first receiving a brief teaser for Borderlands 4 at the Summer Gamescom, followed by a more detailed trailer during The Game Awards in December. And as players ramp up for the fourth installment, this year is a great time to give the series’ most highly-acclaimed entry a playthrough from the start.
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Borderlands 2 Is Considered the Pinnacle of the Franchise
Though the first title set the template and tone for Borderlands, the sequel expanded and improved upon every element. From storytelling and characters to co-op and the all-important loot pool, each fundamental aspect was more finely-tuned and integrated into BL2‘s experience. This resulted in a followup that notably superseded its predecessor and set the bar high for the franchise, with Gearbox at times struggling to meet the expectations it had created. Borderlands 2 also marked the introduction of one of gaming’s greatest villains, Handsome Jack, and on top of everything else, is one of the biggest reasons it attained its reputation as the most memorable and enjoyable title.
In addition to the excellent base campaign, Borderlands 2 also features some of the series’ best and most popular DLCs, including the beloved Dungeons & Dragons-inspired Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep, which later led to an entire spin-off series based on it. All in all, Borderlands 2 has lost very little of its luster in 13 years, and is still a blast to play.
A Fresh Playthrough of Borderlands 2 in 2025 Is the Perfect Appetizer for Borderlands 4
Borderlands 4 is set to push the series forward with some significant changes. The newest villain revealed, The Timekeeper, has been stated by Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford as “more sinister and dangerous than Handsome Jack.” This is certainly intriguing, and gives good reason for fans to dive back into BL2 from the beginning and refresh themselves with it in anticipation of how Borderlands‘ upcoming antagonist might compare with its previous most famous one.
In December 2024, publisher 2K provided an update on Borderlands 4‘s release window that placed it between the start of April 2025 and end of March 2026. If it sticks to previous patterns, fans will likely see BL4 drop during the Fall of 2025. The first three mainline games, as well as The Pre-Sequel, all launched in either September or October, and it’s likely Borderlands 4 will follow a similar schedule. If so, this would allow fans a good amount of time between now and then to complete a new playthrough of BL2 ahead of the fourth installment to prepare for the next chapter.
Borderlands 2 is also currently available in a couple of convenient packages. The Game of the Year, Legendary, and Handsome Collection editions include nearly all the DLCs and bonuses like skins, (with the Handsome Collection bundling The Pre-Sequel too) and are good choices for anyone looking to replay it with all the post-launch updates and content in a single go.
Although the above editions contain most of the extra content released, they omit the Commander Lilith and the Fight for Sanctuary DLC that served as a connecting story between BL2 and 3.
Even for those who may have already gone through it multiple times, restarting Borderlands 2 anew in 2025 has a few upsides. Doing so is a chance to revisit some of the familiar faces that are returning in Borderlands 4, and perhaps try out alternate builds with different or less-used Hunters. And given that the next release aims to move the franchise into the future, it’s also the perfect time for players who haven’t gotten around to it to see for themselves why Borderlands 2 is so well-liked and worth playing before considering Borderlands 4.
- Released
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September 18, 2012
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
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