Borderlands 4’s Approach to the Handsome Jack Dilemma Gives Me Goosebumps

I’m buzzing with excitement over the newest buzz—yep, that word again—around Borderlands 4. Everyone’s talking, and for a darn good reason too. Vex the Siren’s teaser? Freakin’ genius, got the humor spot-on, and the upcoming Vault Hunters? Let’s just say they’ve got variety in spades. But hey, I guess I’m on this hype train with a little pit in my stomach because something just doesn’t sit right with me about the villain.

Ah, Handsome Jack. What a name. Love or hate him, you can’t deny the guy casts a long shadow. He might’ve been too good because every villain after him? Yeah, they just couldn’t light up the stage like he did. Take the Calypso Twins, for instance; their snark was a miss rather than a hit. Now, there’s talk of the next bad guy, the Timekeeper — he’s apparently nothing like Jack. But is that the answer? I’m really not sure.

Jack’s like that favorite pair of shoes you can’t let go of. And because of that, any new villain has big… uh, shoes to fill. I was all eyes and ears when Jack showed up in Pre-Sequel. Sure, there were bumps in the road, but didn’t you love seeing his backstory unfold? His transformation from… well, not-so-bad to all-out villainy? And those moments with Rhys in “Tales from the Borderlands” — classic. Jack was a villain who walked the tightrope between humor and menace, and I’m not convinced the Timekeeper’s heading down the same path. Could be wrong, though. Often am.

So, the Timekeeper, what’s his deal? Sounds like he’s running the sci-fi villain playbook — regal looks, all-seeing eyes, the whole shebang. Keeps people under his thumb with this thing called a Bolt. Fun times, right? Not exactly giggling over here. He might strike fear, sure, but does he fit the quirky chaos that makes Borderlands tick? Color me skeptical.

Um, if he’s just there shrugging off jokester Vex or Claptrap’s antics, he might end up as dull as yesterday’s leftovers. Commandant Steele, anyone? Cue shudder. We don’t need a rerun of that yawn-fest.

Jack was really two characters in one — a comic genius with a dark side that sneaks up and kicks you in the guts. Depth, growth, complexity — that’s what made his presence pop. If the Timekeeper’s just a one-note dictator, well, back to the drawing board, I guess. But fingers crossed, there’s more beneath the surface. A guy can dream, right?

Oh, but wait, the Ripper Queen’s on deck! Imagine a wild card, a live wire in contrast to the Timekeeper’s cool demeanor. Maybe she’s just what we need to break the monotony. A tale of two villains, battling it out, giving us that sweet, sweet unpredictability.

All’s said and done, am I concerned? Yeah, a smidge. Borderlands has this flair—humor meets havoc—and I’m just really hoping the Timekeeper doesn’t, y’know, put a damper on that. Jack raised the bar high, and while trying something new isn’t a crime, wandering too far off and losing the charm? Could be risky. But hey, maybe Gearbox has this sly ace up its sleeve. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

So here’s to surprises (and hoping my concerns are just me being a worrywart). Crossing fingers that the Timekeeper’s more than a mask and a frown. Or maybe he’ll just be Jack-less. Here’s hopin’!