Borderlands 3 has many strengths, ranging from a satisfying loot system to a replayable Mayhem mode. The game is full of diverse locations to fight through, and the core gameplay is widely regarded as the best that the series has ever seen. With a noticeable step up in the graphics department as well, there is plenty to love about Borderlands 3. However, one aspect that was panned by fans was the story, with gamers taking issue with several rushed moments and character arcs.
Borderlands 3’s new Director’s Cut DLC includes a cut moment from the game, and fans have been quick to share their confusion as to why the scene never made it into the game. While it is unfinished and made using storyboard drawings as opposed to in-game character models, the animatic still shows a beautiful moment that needed to be in the main game. While it would not fix the flawed Calypso Twins, just about every other problem with the narrative would have been solved had the scene been included.
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Borderlands 3’s huge cut moment is titled “Maya’s Funeral,” and it is exactly what it sounds like. The scene would have taken place after Troy kills the Siren, and its opening minutes are essentially a longer version of the sendoff she got inside the actual game. The scene begins with Ava telling Lilith and the rest of the Crimson Raiders that Maya is dead, with Lilith blaming herself for the loss of her fellow Siren. Ava goes into more detail about why Maya’s death hit her so hard, and instead of blaming Lilith, she says that there is nothing she could have done due to her lack of powers.
Ava goes on to hold Maya’s book close to her chest, saying how it is “all I have left” as her pet Hermes goes to comfort her. The usually stiff and uncaring Tannis also gestures to Lilith to go talk to Ava, giving her a bigger role in the scene beyond comedic relief. While Lilith attempts to be there for her, Ava snaps at her much like she does in the main story. However, this is not the last talk between the two, as the second half of the scene shows another meaningful bit of dialogue. Before it begins, text flashes that tells players there was also a mission cut from the game.
The mission would have supposedly been brief, but it would have entailed players going back to Athenas to help set up a proper funeral for Maya. Once done, a second cinematic would play. In the scene, Crimson Raider leader Lilith gives an excellent speech where she talks about the six Sirens, with the opening line adding weight to her loss of powers inside the game. She then details why Maya was such a great person, and a statue of the Vault Hunter can be seen nearby. Lilith also uses some blue embers to light a flame of the same color, with all of Maya’s friends seen paying their respects at the funeral. Lilith then heads up to have a private chat with Ava, a moment that is undoubtedly the highlight of this cut content.
For those that love the character and were let down by how Maya’s death was downplayed, this scene solves that issue completely. Not only would there have had been two lengthy cutscenes dedicated to her loss, but a somber mission would have only made the death more devastating. Whether it be Ava, Lilith, or anyone else in the Crimson Raiders, the moment shows how impactful Maya’s loss truly was. The whole cast shows more emotion, with the overall vibe being much slower and more thoughtful.
In the scene itself, there are key touches that show a deep level of respect for the character. Like Roland, she gets a statue to herself, while the concept of a huge blue fire being lit up in her honor instantly makes for a more beautiful moment. A small touch sees former ally and fellow Vault Hunter Zer0 adding more embers to the fire, silently showing that the character is grieving for his friend as well. The Calypsos are not instantly poking fun at the death here and ruining the moment, with Gearbox instead spending the time needed for a strong farewell.
The best moment regarding the sendoff for Maya is a subtle flash of Krieg, seemingly confirming that the character was cut from the main game. When Lilith mentions that Maya “saw the best in everyone,” he is shown standing in the crowd, building off of the close relationship that the two Vault Hunters had. While it is truly mind-boggling that this scene was not left in the game, as it does justice to Maya and the characters that loved her, the work that the scene does to add depth to Ava only makes its removal more of a headscratcher.
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While Maya’s death being rushed angered fans, her being killed to protect Ava only added fuel to the fire. Bratty before and after the moment, Ava has been despised by the community ever since. For starters, her treatment of Lilith was seen as cruel and unnecessary, with the character’s statement of “figure it out, Lilith” infuriating fans. However, this scene shows a bond between Ava and Lilith that was never seen in the original version of the Borderlands 3 storyline.
The quiet conversation between the two is full of great lines, such as Ava admitting she needs to talk and adding that she feels like Maya’s death was her fault. With fans never getting this acknowledgement in-game, as the Siren-in-training never showed proper guilt, this is an excellent change. Ava also echoes fans by saying that she was not worth Maya dying for, with Lilith saying that she saw what Ava would become one day. Lilith also mentions how her own failures led to Roland dying, giving Ava a new perspective and expanding on their bond. The moment even sees Ava promising to work on herself so that she can be what Maya wanted her to be, claiming that she wants to “learn and fight and be a Vault Hunter.” Had this been in the game, the hatred for Ava would likely not exist at all.
Though there are still issues to be had with Borderlands 3’s story, some of the biggest problems are solved by this one animatic. The follow-up to Maya’s death is meaningful and emotional, Krieg is seen at her funeral, and Lilith feels more like a leader than ever before. Most importantly, Ava is redeemed by this moment, with the character feeling more well-rounded and likable. As such, Ava being handed the keys to Sanctuary makes more sense, as Lilith has seen her passion firsthand and knows how motivated she is to become a hero. While this scene may not have been in the game, at least Gearbox has used the Director’s Cut to show fans what could (and should) have been.
Borderlands 3 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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