Though the season pass content ofBorderlands 3has all been released, the game’s support is far from over. With asecondBorderlands 3season passcurrently in progress, players can expect to be causing mayhem in the latest Gearbox looter-shooter for some time. This is good news considering howBorderlandsfans 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 eachBorderlandsDLC is vastly different from the last in terms of the locations visited and enemies fought, some interesting parallels can be drawn between the expansions ofBorderlands 2and3. Whether it be through a focus on the same character, the tackling of similar themes, or the expansion of the same area in theBorderlandsuniverse, eachBorderlands 3expansion has aBorderlands 2DLC 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 twoBorderlandsgames.
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Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot vs. Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage
Borderlands 3’s first DLC saw players gettinganother 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. WithPre-Sequelcharacter Timothy’s surprising return coming in the expansion as well, the DLC served as a great reminder of Handsome Jack’s effect on theBorderlandsuniverse. 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 isBorderlands 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 wonBorderlandsfans 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 growingBorderlandsuniverse. Both Handsome Jackpot and Campaign of Carnage expanded on two of the game’s weapon makers, adding even more character to Hyperion and Torgue.
Guns, Love, and Tentacles vs. Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt
The second expansion ofBorderlands 3saw Wainwright Jakobs and Sir Hammerlock finally tying the knot, withGaige stealing the showand providing many of the expansion’s most memorable moments. While it was certainly great to see the Mechromancer again, the choice of aBorderlands 2DLC to compare with Guns, Love, and Tentacles is hardly difficult. With one of the grooms in the wedding previously getting aBorderlands 2expansion where he was a major focus, it seems obvious that the two be looked at together.
Borderlands 2’sSir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt DLCsaw 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 theBorderlands 2expansion 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.
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Bounty of Blood vs. Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate’s Booty
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 andBorderlandswere a natural fit. While some fans would have liked tosee aRed Dead Redemptionreference, 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 inBorderlands 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 otherBorderlands 2DLC orBorderlands 3, Scarlett has yet to keep her promise of clashing with the Vault Hunters again.
Intriguingly, theBorderlandsstory 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 introducingnew vehicles and massive areasfor players to explore, Bounty of Blood and Her Pirate’s Booty have similar gameplay loops as well.
Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck vs. Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep
Borderlands 3’s final expansion (so far) sees players entering the mind of Krieg, the playable psycho fromBorderlands 2.Full of hidden detailsBorderlands 3fans 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 forBorderlands 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 sillyGame of Thrones references. Both DLCs balance character development and zany humor well, making them fitting conclusions to their respective season passes.
WhileBorderlands 2featured a surprise fifth expansion,Commander Lilith and the Fight for Sanctuary, there is not a fifthBorderlands 3expansion to compare it to as of now. WhileBorderlands 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 ofBorderlands 2and3. WhileBorderlands 3has expanded upon its four Vault Hunters as opposed to adding new ones, its other DLC packs resembleBorderlands 2very closely.
Borderands 3is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
