It is no secret that the DLC forTiny Tina’s Wonderlandshas proven to be unpopular. While its content being added to theChaos Chamberis a good move, its price is questionable, with many upset that the $10 levels have replaced the proper expansions that are usually seen in theBorderlandsfranchise. However, while the Mirrors of Mystery are being criticized as shallow, parts of them do show potential.
Much like the main story ofTiny Tina’s Wonderlands, the Mirrors of Mystery feature some visually diverse and exciting locations that look nothing like those seen in the mainBorderlandsgames. Glutton’s Gamble in particular provides some unique rooms to fight through that were practically begging to be full maps instead of just small areas, and they should have been featured in a far larger capacity.
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The Wasted Potential of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ Mirrors of Mystery
Throughout Glutton’s Gamble, players traverse a few areas to take on the appropriately named Sand Witch, a food-obsessed goblin. During this quest, they pass through some rainy docks, an area unlike any other inTiny Tina’s Wonderlands. With storms and unpleasant weather not seen in the other parts of Tina’s colorful world, the room made for a welcome change in the usual aesthetic, and it would have been fun to see it as a larger area full ofLucky Diceto collect and side quests to complete.
Unfortunately, players are in and out, leaving these stormy docks as soon as they have killed some crabs and gathered the necessary ingredients. With the area being memorable and leaving a mark in the short time it has featured, it feels like a reminder of what could have been, as a full-sized stormy map released as part of a major expansion could have been far better. Unfortunately, this is not the onlyGlutton’s Gamblearea that was begging to be more fleshed out than it ultimately was.
Near the end of the second DLC inTiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ Season Pass, players will enter into a bone-filled graveyard with an orange and green aesthetic. Home to some trolls, the intentionally ugly area is another memorable location that differs from what the game normally offers. With Wyverns flying through the sky of this wasteland and making it feel more lively, it again feels like an area that could have been more expansive if Gearbox wanted, providing the side quests and side activities that the Mirrors of Mystery are missing.
It is easy to imagine other areas that would have suited Glutton’s Gamble, too, like a colorful dreamscape full of giant food that floats in the sky or doubles as cover. Enemies like the Gingerdead could have been the tip of the iceberg, with several specialTiny Tina’s Wonderlandsmobsbased on food items being introduced. From frosting-covered goblins to donut-shaped trolls, there was a ton of potential for more than just a single reskinned enemy type. The latest Mirror of Mystery shows a concept that was perfect for a full-on expansion, but instead feels like it was heavily trimmed down.
It is a shame that there is so muchnegativity aroundTiny Tina’s Wonderlands' DLC, though all the complaints are valid. Despite Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands being a major success due to its enjoyable main campaign, its post-launch content leaves much to be desired. While the Mirrors of Mystery could have worked as cheaper, minor DLCs, they also could have thrived as proper expansions, with Gearbox expanding the areas featured within each Mirror into full-on locations like Tangledrift or Sunfang Oasis.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlandsis available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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