Tiny Tina’s Wonderlandslooks like a dream come true for fans of theBorderlands 2DLC Assault on Dragon Keep. Not only is the fantasy theme making a comeback, but so too is the style of storytelling being used and Tiny Tina herself. While the game willfeature plenty of guns like the mainlineBorderlandstitles, there is also lot that sets it apart.
For those that have not kept up with all theTiny Tina’s Wonderlandstrailers and livestreams, there is a lot of information to take in before the game releases on March 25. From new characters to major features that help the spin-off forge its own identity, fans can learn a good bit about whatTiny Tina’s Wonderlandswill have to offer.
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Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ Setting and Characters
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ place in theBorderlandstimelinesees it being set shortly afterBorderlands 2and long before the events ofBorderlands 3. This means that Tina is still Tiny, guaranteeing that she’ll have her signature high-pitched voice and that she’ll be as over-the-top as ever. While fans have only seen a few of the returning characters, like Torgue and Brick, some new additions have also been confirmed.
Frette is a robot played by Wanda Sykes, and she is obsessed with the rules of Bunkers and Badasses - meaning that she could get very upset whenTina Tinacontinuously goes out of their way to break them. As for Andy Samberg’s Valentine, another new character playing the game alongside Tina, he apparently hates patience. This headstrong nature could see him messing up a lot of Tina’s long-term plans, which should make for more hilarious interactions with the demolitions expert.
As for the villain, the Dragon Lord will be played by Will Arnett. While he has some big shoes to fill since the main series has featuredthe likes of Handsome Jack,Tiny Tina’s Wonderlandsseems to be going all-in on telling a story that is more about humor than anything else. As such, he should be an entertaining villain that adds even more comedy to the game, ensuring that Gearbox is firing on all cylinders when it comes to its opportunities for jokes.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ Dungeons and Dragons Inspirations
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlandswears itsDungeons and Dragonsinspirations on its sleeve, something that has led to a number of interesting mechanics being introduced. One of these is theOverworld map, which will see players walking between areas with some big-headed versions of their characters. While traversing this map, random encounters with roaming enemies will see gamers thrown into fights to get some extra loot. These fights will see players transition into first person, exiting the arena and moving back to the Overworld once the fight is complete.
Alongside an Overworld map that perfectly suits the vibe the game is going for,Tiny Tina’s Wonderlandsfeatures a deep character creatorfor fans to engage with. Just like inDungeons and Dragons, gamers can make their protagonist whatever they would like, with human and non-human customization options available. Players can choose the size of both their body and their heads, decide where facial features like eyes are placed, and determine whether their character wears makeup.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlandsalso features spellsin place of grenades and proper melee weapons, two excellent additions that should shake up gameplay in a major way. With players now able to swing axes and swords several times in a row, mixing close quarters combat into their offense with ease, some more interesting melee builds could end up being seen. As for spells, these powerful additions provide a variety of attacks, and players will likely want to wield plenty of magic as they fire off their guns.
Gearbox truly drives home the fantasy theme throughTiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ redesigned HUD and characters. From different on-screen text and a redesigned map to a more wooden version of the talkative robot Claptrap, the fantasy spin-off has its own aesthetic that helps players separate it from the main series. Even if the core gameplay feels similar, there are enough changes that should help ensure this particular game feels like its own product, as everything shown thus far makes it seem like the game’s setting is being used to its full potential.
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Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ New Class System
Unlike previousBorderlandsgames, players will havesix classes to choose from inTiny Tina’s Wonderlands. These classes are all different from those seen in previousBorderlandstitles, with each having distinct abilities for players to make use of. These classes are as follows.
Unlike in otherBorderlandsgames, players will not be forced to choose just one of the available classes.Tiny Tina’s Wonderlandsfeatures a multi-class approachthat allows gamers to pick a second class. This should provide a lot of replayability, as Gearbox is giving gamers the opportunity to build a number of interesting character combinations through this system.
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Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ Endgame and Post-Launch Content
For those hoping for endgame content,Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ Chaos Chambersshould prove exciting. This endgame mode will see players fighting through six dungeons, with a mini boss and final boss seen at the middle and end of runs. There will be sixty different rooms that can feature in the Chaos Chambers, with random lineups ensuring that each attempt feels different.
The goal will be to collect as many crystals as possible during each of the 20-30 minutes runs, as having more crystals at the end ensures players get better loot from the rabbit statues. With players able to pick the exact type of loot they want from these rabbits, hunting down specific Legendaries should be a lot less tedious than grinding a specific boss fight for hours. Players can also purchase blessings and curses, which make things easier or add to the challenge. With optional objectives to complete for more crystals, a weekly Chaos Chamber that allows players to compete to be the best, and hiddenraid boss-level fights, the mode sounds exciting.
Lastly, for those planning to stick withTiny Tina’s Wonderlandsafter it launches, the post-launch content could prove enticing.Mirrors of Mysterywill see players entering a special arena to face a boss, and each time they return, the boss will get stronger. A special loot wheel can be spun, giving gamers another way to acquire better gear. These DLCs will be narrated by Vesper, a character that will tell stories about each Mirror’s boss. Four Mirrors will be released as part of the Season Pass, though all can be purchased separately.
With each boss added to the Chaos Chambers once beaten, and a newTiny Tina’s Wonderlandsclassdropping alongside the final Mirror of Mystery, the DLC could be a worthwhile investment for those that enjoy the base game. With the title just a few days away from launch, now is the time for gamers to decide if they want to experience Tina’s latest Bunkers and Badasses campaign.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlandslaunches March 25 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
