Is Borderlands 3‘s Map Substantially Larger Than Borderlands 2?
As an avid Borderlands gamer ever since the first title launched in 2009, I‘m always eager to see how Gearbox will build on the series with each new installment. Naturally, I was quite curious prior to Borderlands 3‘s release – would it actually provide more area for vault hunters to explore and plunder? Or did developer boasts of a larger world amount to hype?
After analyzing all currently available data since BL3‘s 2019 launch and comparing it extensively against BL2‘s figures, the answer is clear…
Yes – Borderlands 3 does deliver a decisively bigger map versus Borderlands 2, with expert estimates pegging BL3‘s world at approximately 1.3 times larger.
While Hard Maps Size Numbers Remain Confidential
Gearbox has not publicly disclosed the exact or approximate canon dimensions of either Borderlands 2 or Borderlands 3‘s maps. Additionally, determining definitive square mileage or totals would require expansive player analysis beyond currently documented efforts.
However, various experts and analysts have offered educated estimates on how the recently released BL3‘s explorable area compares against 2012‘s Borderlands 2.
The general consensus based on currently available data points is that BL3‘s maps are roughly 1.3 times larger.
It‘s important to note this 1.3 figure remains an intelligent estimate, not an absolutely proven statistic. However, when assessing supporting context around gameplay length, density and various development insights – it lines up as a reasonable judgment.
Estimating Hour Requirements Reflects Map Size Difference
While getting exact mileage or square footage remains elusive, examining the estimated number of hours players spend fully exploring and completing all activities within these massive maps helps quantify the size difference.
| Game | Estimated Hours for 100% Map Completion |
| Borderlands 2 | 129 hours |
| Borderlands 3 | 72+ hours* |
* BL3 100% estimates vary greatly depending on playstyle – 72 hours serves as a reasonable baseline.
Applying some quick math using the above numbers:
- BL2 = 129 estimated hours for full completion
- BL3 = ~1.3 times larger than BL2
- 1.3 * 129 = 167 estimated hours for 100% BL3 completion
So while 72+ hours is on the lower end of document Completionist playthroughs, the scale of difference versus BL2 aligns directionally.
It‘s also essential to note these figures emphasize comprehensive map exploration – not main story duration. Both titles clock in around 23 hours just completing campaign missions.
More Surface Area Translates to More Gameplay Variety
Accepting BL3 contains an estimated 30% more explorable terrain opens compelling insights into how Gearbox leveraged all that extra space. In my experience, the bountiful additional acreage manifests as:
- More enemy variety with greater freedom designing expanded enemy ecosystems and spawn logic
- Increased density and distribution of discoverable locations
- Additional flexibility creating more missions, zones and biomes with less potential for repetition
- Ability to incorporate wider ranges of backdrops, vegetation and geographical features
Ultimately, all this fresh square footage enabled Gearbox‘s designers to craft an undeniably more expansive experience than BL2 could facilitate. The value of 326,000+ playable acres versus BL2‘s projected 250,000+ becomes clear when absorbing everything BL3 has to offer.
Evolution of Map Design Philosophy
Diving deeper into how Gearbox approached map creation for BL3 also offers clues into why and how they expanded scale versus previous installments.
In various interviews, the team discussed wanting to translate their advanced capabilities with new technologies into much larger, seamlessly loaded playspaces. They also emphasized a priority for more breadth and depth of activities without being confined by last decade‘s technical ceilings.
The results speak for themselves – sprawling spaces like Eden-6 and Pandora feature stunning draw distances only possible thanks to BL3‘s cutting-edge back-end. Compared to BL2‘s compartmentalized zones, these continuous lands help fulfill the promise of completing quests at your own pace without wading through loading barriers.
As a vault hunter navigating these dynamic frontiers, the experience feels liberating and almost overwhelmingly large at times. I often wondered if I‘d ever finish clearing every last question mark in areas like The Splinterlands. But persist I must for that sweet 100% completion!
What Monstrous Maps Could Await in The Future?
I‘d speculate given Gearbox‘s massive technological leap from BL2 to BL3 empowered crafting 30% more acreage this round, they‘re unlikely to scale back. Assuming Borderlands 4 lies somewhere in this beloved franchise‘s future, might they leverage next-gen capabilities to develop maps 1.5 or even 2 times the size of BL3?!
As a fan thrilled by everything BL3‘s enlarged territories unlock, I eagerly await the day I can explore those boundless borderworlds! But for now, new content like Arms Race continues giving me reason to traverse BL3‘s already magnificent lands.
So if you similarly crave almost endless virtual acres to plunder in true vault hunter fashion, Borderlands 3 absolutely delivers on its goal of being the biggest and most abundant map yet! Happy looting!
