Summary
Deep, philosophical questions don’t always accompanyBorderlands 3. However, intentional or not, a plot hole in one of its amusing DLC expansions has sparked speculation over the possible return of one of the franchise’s beloved characters.
The Ship of Theseus is an age-old quandary. If a plank of wood on Theseus’s ship is replaced, it’s probable to assume that it’s the same entity. Now imagine that all of its planks, sails, and masts are replaced. The certainty that it’s the same ship becomes shakier. TheBorderlands 3DLC Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck contains a similar theoretical problem with implications for the game’s Siren Maya.
Maya and Krieg in Borderlands 3
Maya’s death inBorderlands 3is particularly bad news for her not-so-secret admirer, Krieg. A mutated mercenary with a split personality between his “Sane” self and his “Psycho” self, Krieg fell in love with Maya on the planet Pandora after saving her from a flurry of flesh-eating rats. Though unable to fully communicate his love for her as his “Psycho” self dominates his speech, Krieg forms a bond with Maya that lasts through her passage to Promethea and her death.
Borderlands 3 Fantastic Fustercluck DLC
While Maya’s death is certainly disheartening for her quixotic devotee, Krieg gets a unique chance at reunion in the BL3 content pack Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck. In this mission, Vault expert Patricia Tannis attempts to conduct an experiment in order to analyzethe minds of Pandora’s Psychos. Krieg volunteers to be a part of this mission, and the Crimson Raiders use a portal to enter Krieg’s fractured consciousness and discover the origins of his madness. It’s within this realm that the player discovers multiple clues to Maya’s enduring existence.
Within Krieg’s mind, Maya appears at several moments in apparition form, stressing that Sirens live on after death through bonding their emotions with certain objects. The stronger the emotion, Maya contends, the stronger the immortal bond. Perhaps not so coincidentally, one of the most haunting macguffins in Fustercluck isMaya’s final Echo Log to Krieg, in which she explains that she’ll continue to communicate with Krieg even in the event that she dies.
Maya’s final Echo Log to Krieg - “So if I go, just know that I’ll see you in the stars, Big Guy. I promise.”
One of the most intriguing elements ofthe Fustercluck DLCis its hazy distinctions between Krieg’s world and reality. At certain points in the gameplay, the Vault Hunters scavenging Krieg’s mind are greeted by psychologically fabricated and malevolent versions of Krieg’s friends (how “Psycho Krieg” initially perceived them.) This expressionist landscape makes the presence and nature of Maya all the more bewildering. It’s not clear if this truly is Maya’s ghost, or simply Krieg’s projection of Maya, but it’s quite telling that this Maya stresses the abilities of Sirens to impart themselves onto objects and to live on after death.
Borderlands Characters Resurrected
The Maya in Krieg’s mind isn’t strictly the Maya that passed away inBorderlands 3. This Ship of Theseus-like conundrum has precedent in theBorderlandsuniverse.Handsome Jack’s reappearanceinTales From The Borderlandsshows Jack returning through the form of an AI duplicate of his consciousness, merging into corporate upstart Rhys’ mind. This new Jack isn’t the real Jack per se, but rather an alternate version that holds the same personality traits.
Regardless of the implications, the iteration of Maya that lives in Krieg’s mind poses aBorderlandsquandary. If the Crimson Raiders can enter and exit Krieg’s mind, it should follow that an entity inside could leave as well. Tannis also implies that purely psychic entities can be transplanted from Krieg’s brain, telling “Sane Krieg” at some point that his Sane self could be extracted and placed elsewhere. It would make sense that the same could be done with Maya. Hopefully, Krieg’s memory-basedMaya will appear inBorderlands 4, perhaps freed from her metaphysical world in Fustercluck.
Borderlands 3
WHERE TO PLAY
The original shooter-looter returns, packing bazillions of guns and an all-new mayhem-fueled adventure! Blast through new worlds and enemies as one of four brand new Vault Hunters – the ultimate treasure-seeking badasses of the Borderlands, each with deep skill trees, abilities, and customization. Play solo or join with friends to take on insane enemies, score loads of loot and save your home from the most ruthless cult leaders in the galaxy.A MAYHEM-FUELED THRILL RIDEStop the fanatical Calypso Twins from uniting the bandit clans and claiming the galaxy’s ultimate power. Only you, a thrill-seeking Vault Hunter, have the arsenal and allies to take them down.YOUR VAULT HUNTER, YOUR PLAYSTYLEBecome one of four extraordinary Vault Hunters, each with unique abilities, playstyles, deep skill trees, and tons of personalization options. All Vault Hunters are capable of awesome mayhem alone, but together they are unstoppable.LOCK, LOAD, AND LOOTWith bazillions of guns and gadgets, every fight is an opportunity to score new gear. Firearms with self-propelling bullet shields? Check. Rifles that spawn fire-spewing volcanoes? Obviously. Guns that grow legs and chase down enemies while hurling verbal insults? Yeah, got that too.NEW BORDERLANDSDiscover new worlds beyond Pandora, each featuring unique environments to explore and enemies to destroy. Tear through hostile deserts, battle your way across war-torn cityscapes, navigate deadly bayous, and more! QUICK & SEAMLESS CO-OP ACTIONPlay with anyone at any time online or in split-screen co-op, regardless of your level or mission progress. Take down enemies and challenges as a team, but reap rewards that are yours alone – no one misses out on loot.
