While Hyperion-branded weapons were once some of the best guns you could get in a Borderlands game, the once-dominant manufacturer barely appears in Borderlands 4. Hyperion hasn’t just been forgotten by Gearbox, it’s been pushed out for multiple reasons both narrative and gameplay related.
In an interview with Restart, creative associate director Grant Kao explained that it just didn’t make sense to keep Hyperion weapons in for Borderlands 4–though the brand name does still turn up as a licensed part.
“Part of the reason why the Hyperion manufacturer does not fully return … is because the behavior that was connected with the Hyperion manufacturer was that you would start very inaccurate,” Kao explained. “But as you held down the fire button for, like, an assault rifle or SMG or whatnot, it would become extremely accurate, the most accurate gun, but it would have to require you to unload at least the beginning or half of the mag to get there.” While the end result was high accuracy, this kind of mechanic just didn’t feel good in Borderlands gameplay, Kao says.
The second reason for Hyperion’s exclusion is firmly rooted in Borderlands’ story. Other than contributing to the game’s weaponry, Hyperion and its CEO Handsome Jack have also appeared as major antagonists through the Borderlands series. Since Jack’s fall from power, it doesn’t make sense for Hyperion to continue to be a dominant force in the manufacturing game, so instead Gearbox is making way for the rise of other manufacturers including Maliwan and the now plot-relevant Order.
Borderlands 4 releases on September 12 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, while the Nintendo Switch 2 version launches October 3. Check out our guide to Borderlands 4 preorders to unlock exclusive preorder bonuses ahead of Friday’s launch.
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