The Borderlands games are connected through an overarching narrative that links characters and events across the series, but each title also offers a self-contained story. Players can enjoy any game without needing to have played the previous ones, yet understanding the sequence enhances appreciation of character development and plot details. The games build on one another to create a shared universe with recurring themes and characters, providing a richer experience when played in order.
The timeline is not strictly linear by release date; for example, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel takes place between the first two main games. This layered storytelling allows new players to jump into different points of the series while longtime fans follow evolving story arcs. The continuity respects both newcomers and veterans of the franchise.
The connections between games extend beyond plot to the world and gameplay mechanics. While each entry maintains its individuality, elements like characters, lore, and the search for Vaults maintain a consistent thread throughout the series, tying all the games together within a cohesive Borderlands universe.
Key Takeways
- Each Borderlands game has its own standalone story but shares an interconnected universe.
- The story timeline includes prequels and sequels beyond release order.
- Recurring characters and lore create continuity across all games.
How the Borderlands Games Are Connected
The Borderlands series is linked by a consistent narrative flow, shared characters, and related spin-offs. Each game builds on previous events while maintaining distinct stories. This connection forms a coherent universe centered on recurring themes and characters.
Main Story Continuity Across the Series
The Borderlands games unfold a continuous storyline, taking place on the planet Pandora and beyond. The original Borderlands introduces Vault Hunters seeking a mysterious Vault. Borderlands 2 expands on this by featuring the Vault Hunters battling Handsome Jack.
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is set between the first two games, exploring events leading to Handsome Jack’s rise. Borderlands 3 occurs seven years after the second game, continuing the threat of alien forces and evolving Vault Hunters’ missions.
Tales from the Borderlands presents a narrative bridge between Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 3, focusing on new characters but maintaining the timeline continuity. Together, these games create a layered storyline with clear chronological progression.
Recurring Characters and Vault Hunters
Several Vault Hunters and supporting characters reappear throughout the series, providing familiarity and continuity. For example, Lilith, a Siren, appears from the first game through Borderlands 3, serving as a key narrative anchor.
Handsome Jack is a major antagonist introduced in Borderlands 2 and featured in The Pre-Sequel, highlighting character-driven arcs. Vault Hunters such as Claptrap and other fan favorites also return, sometimes with new roles or backstories that deepen the lore.
These recurring figures connect the individual stories, allowing players to follow character development across games. The continuity of characters strengthens the shared universe and ties gameplay experiences together.
Spin-Offs and Their Place in the Universe
Spin-offs like Tales from the Borderlands and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel hold official canonical status, filling narrative gaps within the main series. Tales from the Borderlands offers a story-focused adventure that complements the core games by exploring secondary characters and events.
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel enriches the storyline by showing what happened between the first two games, focusing on Jack’s transformation. These titles deepen the understanding of the Borderlands world.
Non-canon spin-offs like Borderlands: Vault Hunter Pinball exist but do not influence the overarching narrative. Canon spin-offs contribute to a fuller experience of the Borderlands universe without being mandatory for following the main story.
Borderlands Games Order and Timeline
The Borderlands series has a complex structure that mixes the release order of its games with an in-universe chronological timeline. Understanding both can help players experience the story as intended or follow the franchise from its origins through to the latest developments. This structure also influences how the storylines connect and develop across titles.
Release Order vs Chronological Timeline
The Borderlands games were not released strictly in narrative order. The first game, Borderlands (2009), was followed by Borderlands 2 (2012) and then Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014), which takes place between the first two games.
The full release order is:
- Borderlands (2009)
- Borderlands Legends (2012, non-canon spin-off)
- Borderlands 2 (2012)
- Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014)
- Tales From The Borderlands (2014-2015)
- Borderlands 3 (2019)
- Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands (2022)
- New Tales From The Borderlands (2022)
- Borderlands: Vault Hunter Pinball (2023, non-canon)
- Borderlands 4 (2025)
Chronologically, the timeline starts with Borderlands (2009), followed by The Pre-Sequel, then Borderlands 2. Tales From The Borderlands and Borderlands 3 continue the story, with New Tales From The Borderlands and Borderlands 4 as the most recent entries.
Impact on Future Titles, Including Borderlands 4
The chronology of the series shapes the story arcs of future installations like Borderlands 4, which takes place immediately after the events of Borderlands 3 on a new planet named Kairos. Connections to previous games, particularly the continuation of ongoing story threads and character arcs, are clearer when players follow the timeline.
Borderlands Legends and Vault Hunter Pinball are smaller, non-canon spin-offs, so they do not impact main story continuity. However, the mainline games and narrative spin-offs like Tales From The Borderlands heavily influence character development and lore.
Take-Two’s recent acquisition of Gearbox indicates ongoing investment in expanding the narrative and gameplay in future releases, with Borderlands 4 serving as a key step linking past storylines with new directions for the franchise.
