Summary
Throughout its lifespan of over 15 years, theBorderlandsseries has included exciting introductory sequences in each installment as a way of introducing the world and characters that players will be getting to know when they begin playing the game. Not only are these intros often action-packed, humorous, and gruesome, they are always backed up by a song specifically chosen to reflect the mood and setting for each game.The intro for the firstBorderlands, for instance, featured “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” by Cage the Elephant as its background music, whileBorderlands 2utilized “Short Change Hero” by The Heavy.Borderlands 4is now primed to keep this tradition going with its intro, but it will need to choose its music track carefully.
When it comes to choosing the perfect song forBorderlands 4, the game’s themes, setting, and narrative need to be considered first. SinceBorderlands 4’s intro will set the tone for its Vault Hunters and the rest of its story, the background track needs to be appropriate. For that, there are a couple of great choices.
Which Song Would Be Perfect for Borderlands 4’s Intro?
Borderlands 4 Could Feature ‘Starburster’ as Its Intro Song
When it comes to which songsBorderlands 4’s intro should feature, there may not be a better choice than “Starburster” by Fontaines D.C. In a sense, it feels like a given, as “Starburster” is the song featured in the last minute and a half ofBorderlands 4’s official first look trailerthat premiered at the 2024 Game Awards. However, even if this particular track was never chosen for aBorderlands 4trailer, it would make for a perfect musical backdrop to the game’s intro for several reasons — many of which are likely why it was chosen for the trailer in the first place.
Borderlands 4aims to maintain the core aspects that have maintained the series' popularity up to this point, but it will simultaneously be introducing a much darker, more serious tone than recent entries likeBorderlands 3andTiny Tina’s Wonderlandshave had. As such,Borderlands 4’s intro will need a song that fits that approach, which is largely what makes Fontaines D.C.’s “Starbuster” the ideal choice. Firstly, “Starburster” has a raw, post-punk energy that complements said tone, along with a grittiness and intensity that matches the looming threat ofBorderlands 4’s totalitarian villain, the Timekeeper.
When it comes to which songsBorderlands 4’s intro should feature, there may not be a better choice than “Starburster” by Fontaines D.C.
The overall tone of “Starburster” is a bit of a roller coaster, going from disjointed to energetic, appearing to be chaotic, and yet simultaneously deliberate. That energy alone aligns with theBorderlandsseries' love for irreverent intensity, but it especially fits what has been shown ofBorderlands 4so far, as it leans more into cataclysmic themes that are fully expected to be somewhat undercut by the franchise’s knack for humor. The song’s lyrics are a mixture of contradictions, speaking of someone who longs for salvation in a corrupt world. Given the state ofBorderlands 4’s Kairosbecause of the Timekeeper’s oppressive control, even the lyrics of “Starburster” make it an excellent candidate for the game’s intro song.
Borderlands 4’s Intro Could Be Backed by ‘No One Knows’
Apart from “Starburster,” “No One Knows” by Queens of the Stone Age would serveBorderlands 4’s intro exceptionally well, on account of its hypnotic rhythm, which persists throughout the song, and the darker, almost foreboding atmosphere crafted by its cryptic lyrics and moody chord progressions. AsBorderlands 4shifts toward a more mature narrative, the movement and progression of “No One Knows,” alongside its darker tone, would be a great way forBorderlands 4to bridge the gap between the series' past and what will be its new present.
The lyrics of “No One Knows” also hint at the allure of power and the cost of pursuing it, which have always been key themes in theBorderlandsseries.
While it would make sense forBorderlands 4to use Fontaines D.C.’s “Starburster” as the background track for its intro, considering it was used in the first full-length trailer for the game, “No One Knows” by Queens of the Stone Age would be an excellent choice as well. There are countless other options out there, but no matter which trackBorderlands 4ends up choosing, it’s more than likely going to complement the game’s willingness to embrace darker, more serious themes. If nothing else,fans can expectBorderlands 4to deliver on its intro, just as the series has been known to do many times before.
WHERE TO PLAY
Borderlands 4 brings intense action, badass Vault Hunters, and billions of wild and deadly weapons to an all-new planet ruled by a ruthless tyrant.Crash into Kairos as one of four new Vault Hunters seeking wealth and glory. Wield powerful Action Skills, customize your build with deep skill trees, and dominate enemies with dynamic movement abilities.Break free from the oppressive Timekeeper, a ruthless dictator who dominates the masses from on high. Now a world-altering catastrophe threatens his perfect Order, unleashing mayhem across the planet.Ignite a resistance and blast your way through mechanical monstrosities, bloodthirsty bandits, and vicious beasts. Amass an arsenal of death-dealing firepower to wreak havoc as you tear your way across Kairos.Fight solo or in co-op with up to three other players in this immense sci-fi adventure, packed with free-form combat and exploration, pulse-pounding boss fights, infinitely varied loot drops, and an eclectic cast of unforgettable characters new and old.
