Don’t worry, though. In this article, we’re going to talk all about Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands so you can stay updated for its release.
What Is Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands?
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is an upcoming first-person shooter (FPS) game that combines abilities, magic, and tabletop mechanics. Created by Gearbox and published by 2K Games, it’s sort of a spiritual successor to the Borderlands franchise. The game has a lot of similarities with Borderlands 3, but as always with Borderlands games, we can expect a twist. Beloved Borderlands 3 characters like Tiny Tina, Brick, and Claptrap are all coming back as well. If you loved the Borderlands games, chances are, you’re going to love Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands as well.
What Kind of Game Is It?
Considering that Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is going to branch off the Borderlands franchise, it’s probably going to be similar to it. It will feature a lot of the things that Borderlands fans love and more. But unlike the Borderlands games, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands won’t have you explore planets in a spaceship. Instead, this new title thrusts you into a fantasy world ripe with magic and wizardry. You also won’t be going to any places that you’ve already gone to in the Borderlands universe, though you will be meeting Borderlands characters. You could say that Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is going to be a Borderlands game but, at the same time, not a Borderlands game. It’ll have more Borderlands gameplay, but it’s not confined to the Borderlands lore. That means that the development team can do a lot more with it and let their imaginations run wild. It may seem like a bad thing, a lot of people seem to disagree. There’s substantial hype behind Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands since Borderlands is such a loved franchise. It might even be one of the most beloved game franchises ever.
When Is the Release Date of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands?
According to Gearbox, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands has been in development for around a decade — ever since they realized the success of the Tiny Tina DLC in Borderlands 2. And ever since they announced it in June 2021, it has received quite a bit of hype. The question is, do we have to wait long for it or not? Well, we don’t have to wait much longer. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands release date is slated for March 25, 2022. This is roughly 10 months after the game’s initial announcement. Although some games delay their releases for consoles, PS5 and Xbox Series X owners do not need to be concerned. The PS5 copy will be out the same day as the PC one does. If you’re excited about Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, you can pre-purchase it from the Epic Games Store. For $42.85, you can get the base game. And for about $60, you can get the Chaotic Great pack. This pack gives you the base game, the season pass for future DLC, as well as other exclusive items.
Playable Consoles and Systems
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is available for PC and consoles alike. On PC, you can purchase it from the Epic Games Store or Steam, but pre-ordering through Steam is currently unavailable. This might mean that 2K Games is favoring the Epic Games Store more than Steam. Do you need a high-end PC to run Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands? Well, as of right now, the system requirements are not out yet. However, we do expect the system requirements to be quite similar to that of Borderlands 3 that released in mid-2019. On consoles, you can play the game on both Xbox and PlayStation. And don’t worry, you don’t need to have a PS5 or an Xbox Series X or S to play it. It’s available on PS4 and Xbox One as well.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands: Connection to Borderlands
The connection between the upcoming game and the Borderlands dates back to Borderlands 2. One of Borderlands 2’s DLCs was called “Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep.” In it, you play a D&D-inspired game called “Bunkers & Badasses” with Tiny Tina. In Dragon Keep, the queen of the kingdom is captured by a “Handsome Sorcerer.” Of course, this is Handsome Jack. Your mission in the Dragon Keep is to save the queen and defeat the Handsome Sorcerer. The DLC featured a lot of the things that Wonderlands is going to show, including things like golems and living trees. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands takes place in the same tabletop world that Dragon Keep is in. Although, it’ll have a different story with new locations to explore. Just like in Dragon Keep, the kingdom is in danger.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Preview
Now that we’ve given you an introduction, it’s time to delve into Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands gameplay. In this section, we give a rundown on the various aspects of the game from the gameplay to sound design.
Story and Setting
While there are Borderlands characters involved, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands won’t feature any Borderlands locations. It’s going to feature a completely new story with a new world. You’re going to be thrust into a fantasy world of Tiny Tina’s making. Unlike Dragon Keep, Wonderlands instead makes you fight an evil Dragon Lord who has been trying to conquer the wonderland for centuries. Once again, the kingdom is in danger, and you are the only one standing in his path. You have to once more save Buttstallion and free her kingdom from the horrible Dragon Lord. There are also some new lovable characters. So far, we know of two new characters– Valentine and Frette. Valentine is a headstrong and straightforward person who faces everything head-on. Meanwhile, Frette is obsessed with the rules and is quite strict but can also be comical.
Graphics
In terms of graphics, there isn’t a sizeable difference between Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands and Borderlands 3. Wonderlands is probably going to only have a small graphical upgrade. However, if you’re going to play the game on new-gen consoles, the graphics should have a noticeable difference. The theme of Wonderlands is also going to be different from Borderlands. Imagine Borderlands-style art in a fantasy setting. It’s going to look similar, but it’s also going to feel different.
Combat
Like the graphics, the combat in Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is largely going to be the same as Borderlands. You’re going to shoot things and get loot. There are going to be the same old guns from previous games, but also new guns with novel features. As always, the gun manufacturers of previous games play a key role in providing you with weapons. The majority of the game is based around killing mobs to get the best loot. Legendaries are coming back as well, but it’s unknown if something rarer like Pearlescent weapons from Borderlands 2 is coming back. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands might just be a Borderlands 4 for some people. However, there are some key differences. For example, in Wonderlands, you won’t be getting any grenades. Instead of grenades, you will be bestowed with things like spells. Plus, stealth is now a thing thanks to one of the classes. Wonderlands make enough changes to give you a reason to think it’s not your average looter shooter.
Classes
Similar to Borderlands games, there are different classes you can choose from. These classes are varied enough to make you want to play them all. They range from your typical mage to a full-on Viking. There are six distinct classes in Wonderlands, each with its abilities. These are Spellshot, Clawbringer, Stabbomancer, Brr-zerker, Graveborn, and Spore Warden. The Spellshot is the wizard of the group, able to cast fire and ice spells and even morph enemies into harmless creatures. Meanwhile, the Clawbringer has a huge hammer and is equipped with skills to take out groups of enemies. Think of the Clawbringer as Thor– you can bash your hammer to the ground and even throw your hammer for it to come back. The Stabbomancer, on the other hand, is a class based on stealth and maximizing opportunities. It’s an assassin-type class that can throw swords at enemies and even sneak up to them. If you play as Brr-zerker you can swing around your ax and hit numerous enemies at the same time. You carry around a huge ax, and you can smash it to the ground and slow enemies for a short period. Not much is currently known about the Graveborn and the Spore Warden. But what we do know is Graveborn can use dark magic like a necromancer and the Spore Warden can create an ice tornado and summon a bow.
Controls
While there isn’t much information on controls, the controls are likely going to be similar to Borderlands. There are buttons to cycle through your missions, aim down sights, and use abilities. It wouldn’t be surprising if these turned out to be the same buttons as the Borderlands games. The only question mark here is grenades. Since they’re going to be replaced by spells, nobody knows if their controls are going to be similar to grenades. Who knows, their mechanics might be entirely new.
Sound Design
In terms of sound design, there are probably also going to be similarities to Borderlands. But since it’s a fantasy game, there are going to be a few medieval soundtracks. Knowing Borderlands, the music will probably make you feel like you’re in a tavern. The trailer also brought in some Japanese representation by bringing in Babymetal, one of the most famous metal bands in Japan. While it’s unknown if they’re going to do anything else for the game, they’ve certainly riled up JPOP fans around the world.
Game Modes
Wonderlands having a normal story mode is a given. However, we currently have no information on if they’re adding in something similar to a True Vault Hunter Mode from Borderlands 3. But judging by what we’ve seen from previous Gearbox games, there’s probably going to be one. Casual players can enjoy the story and fun gameplay while veterans embark on a journey for the apex of loot.
Multiplayer and Online Modes
Aside from singleplayer mode, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands will allow you to play multiplayer as well. You can play co-op with a party of up to four players. What’s nice about co-op is that your friends can help you do a quest even if they’ve already done it. It won’t hinder them or waste their time either since enemies scale to their level and they gain experience. There is no information on if Gearbox is planning to spice things up by creating a player VS player mode. But it’s alright because playing co-op with your friends can be equally as fun.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands vs Similar Games
How will Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands compare to other looter shooters? Compared to the likes of Destiny 2, Warframe, Risk of Rain 2, and others, what does it have to offer? Well, the main selling point of Wonderlands is going to be the characters and world. Unlike other studios, Gearbox is known for sliding in snarky remarks or straight-up funny comments into voice lines. Where the Borderlands franchise excels is its execution of comedy and unique art style. That’s only the tip of the iceberg, too, because gun and class variety is something that Borderlands takes to new heights.
Is Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Worth Waiting For?
Beginners and veterans of looter shooters alike will find joy in Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. There’s enough variety to keep longtime fans of Borderlands entertained without being too alien in its core gameplay. The recent controversy with Borderlands 3’s Season Pass 2 requiring you to pay more for content has many fans angry. Whether the studio decides to do create a Season Pass 2 with Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is still up for debate. For now, let’s hope that there won’t be any controversy regarding Wonderlands. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is probably a game worth waiting for. But if you’re skeptical, you can always wait for feedback from friends after the game’s release. There’s no harm in waiting a bit before getting the game.
