Publisher Gearbox let players know during its E3 2021 Showcase Livestream that being familiar with the Borderlands plot isn't necessary to enjoy Tiny Tina's Wonderlands. The Borderlands spin-off title was officially announced at Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest Kickoff Live event on June 10, with a release window of early 2022.
Unlike the traditional sci-fi wasteland setting that mainline Borderlands games are known for, the Tiny Tina's Wonderlands spin-off is set in a high-fantasy world of dragons and spellcasters. The game is heavily inspired by the beloved Borderlands 2 DLC Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon's Keep, which itself is inspired by Dungeons and Dragons. Just like Assault on Dragon's Keep, players of Wonderlands will be guided through a campaign by Tiny Tina, the Bunker Master, in a D&D-style game played within the world of Borderlands. Tiny Tina is well-known as a gregarious, loud, and often violent side character, so her spontaneous storylines and dialogue can create hilarious moments for players.
During the Gearbox E3 2021 Showcase Livestream (via IGN) on June 12, players received more information about the nature of Tiny Tina's Wonderlands. Gearbox showed the announcement trailer once again before bringing on Kayla Belmore, the senior producer for the game, to talk about what Wonderlands is and what players can expect. In the clip, Belmore notes that the game is definitely inspired by Assault on Dragon's Keep, but that it's set in a new environment with a "stand-alone" plot. The game will bring in new characters while providing "some nods to the past." Finally, Belmore insists, "If you've never played a Borderlands game before, you can absolutely jump right in and enjoy it just as much." The clip from the showcase can be viewed below:
Players who know the history and backstory of Tiny Tina and the rest of the Borderlands cast will be able to build on their experiences when playing Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, but it's good to know that newcomers won't be left out in any significant way. The title is a true spin-off in that it has very little to do with the Borderlands games. Not only will many characters make first-time appearances, it also takes place in a fictional setting within the already fictional world of Borderlands. Belmore notes that enemies will also be different, with goblins and wyverns making up part of the new stable of foes players will shoot and loot along their journey.
Although Tiny Tina's Wonderlands isn't a mainline Borderlands entry, the game is set for a huge release. Borderlands is already a popular IP in the gaming space, but Gearbox aims to set this new entry apart with a blockbuster cast including Andy Samberg, Will Arnett, and Wanda Sykes. Both fans of the franchise and excited newcomers can expect more news about Tiny Tina's Wonderlands to drop in the coming weeks and months leading up to the game's 2022 release.
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands will release for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC in early 2022.
Source: IGN/Youtube
