MeinMMO author Robert spent hours and days in Borderlands 2 trying to relieve the one-armed bandit in Moxxi’s bar and other machines in the game world of their loot. Although he hardly ever received anything valuable, he wishes so much for the game and weapon machines to return in Borderlands 3.
That’s why I need machines: Gambling is a tricky thing. When it goes well, hormones of happiness are released that euphoria the affected. The consequence: You want more of it. It only gets silly when you run out of luck. Then you curse your bad luck, but continue anyway (you want to be lucky again).
In the case of Borderlands 2, however, bad luck meant that you got a grenade thrown at your feet, and that too in the middle of a bar. But what is normal in a world like Borderlands, where you can receive the bartender’s sex toy as a gift with enough tips?
What exactly compelled me to spend hour after hour with the machines in Borderlands 2? I do not know. One thing is clear: I want them back!
This is how the machines were in Borderlands 2
In fact, a large number of different machines could be found in Borderlands 2. All devices had a different purpose:
- The slot machines – Especially at the beginning of the game, a great source for better loot. By wagering money, weapons, grenades, mods, Eridium, and cash could be won. Those who were unlucky got a grenade in the face (yes, right in the face).
- The weapon machines – In the weapon machines, guns of all kinds could be found. Even legendary stuff was included, but extremely rare. These machines were only interesting until you reached the maximum level.
- The ammunition machines – Here you could buy ammunition. Since enemies rarely dropped enough ammunition, you always had to rely on these machines. The higher your level, the more expensive the ammunition became. Not that it mattered: It was absurdly easy to accumulate wealth in Borderlands 2.
- The medical machines – Here healing items, shields, and class mods could be acquired.
- The Torgue machines – This is where it got interesting. The weapon machines introduced with a DLC by Mr. Torgue, the head of the namesake weapon company, could spit out really cool stuff. Torgue weapons always came with the explosion element; the handgun Unkempt Harold is considered one of the best in Borderlands 2.
The slot machines were especially a good source for increasing various parameters in the game due to Eridium, such as ammunition reserves and inventory. Legendary weapons could also be earned in the slot machines.
The probability of finding legendary weapons was significantly higher in the special Torgue machines. In fact, I received a perfect version of the Double Penetrating Unkempt Harold in a Torgue machine that I felt I visited a thousand times.
That’s why the machines were so popular: Not only the slot machines caused thrills, but the weapon and medical machines could also contain extremely valuable stuff. For this reason, it was always worth visiting the machines on the roadside.
If you hadn’t reached the level cap yet, you could gain a decent boost in terms of combat power with a random legendary weapon from a machine. For this reason, I wish for the machines to return in Borderlands 3, but I want to have much more!
This is how machines should be in Borderlands 3
These machines must not be missing: All machines serve their purpose, except for the ammunition machine. Enemies in Borderlands 3 should drop enough ammunition without me having to take the annoying trip to the machine after every mission. Borderlands is a shooter; let me shoot without having to run to the machine every two minutes.
The principle of the Torgue machines could even be spun further. To get a weapon from these valuable machines, you had to collect a special currency. Why aren’t there machines like this for other weapon manufacturers? This way, there could be special machines for weapon manufacturers Tediore, Hyperion, and Mailwan.
To get a weapon, a specific currency dedicated to this purpose must be collected. However, not all weapons should be obtainable through machines. Boss-specific drops and event weapons should still be available separately. In this way, players like me do not linger in front of virtual machines for days.
This reminds me – I haven’t been to Moxxi’s bar in a long time. Maybe the one-armed bandit will drop a legendary weapon this time.
How did you like the machines in Borderlands 2? Do you wish for more of them in the new installment?
