Highlights
- Borderlands is a standout in the first-person shooter genre due to its zany and ludicrous gameplay and characters.
- The NPC character Steve, despite having a minimal role and catchphrase, has become a cult favorite within the Borderlands community.
- Steve has made appearances in various Borderlands projects and even other games published by 2K, solidifying his status as a beloved figure in the franchise.
The first-person shooter genre is known for having some of the grittiest experiences in the video game industry. Grounded military shooters like Call of Duty and Battlefield brush up against ultra-violent shooting galleries like Doom and Wolfenstein, but wedged somewhere in the middle of all these self-serious titles is a franchise that has thrived on being as ludicrous as possible. That franchise is Borderlands, and its brand of looting and shooting through zany circumstances has made it a standout ever since the first game released over a decade ago.
One of the best things about Borderlands is its personality. Each of the series' characters is just a little bit deranged in their own way, whether it be a playable character or an NPC. From the hilariously greedy arms dealer Marcus to the psychopathic yet charming Handsome Jack, there is no shortage of memorable names for players to latch on to. This even applies to the most insignificant characters who don't factor into the story very much, but nonetheless leave a lasting impression. One such character is Steve, who has become one of Borderlands' silliest and most recognizable names over its long history.
Steve From Borderlands Explained
With how well-known Steve has become in the Borderlands community, a lot of gamers who have never explored the series would probably think he plays an essential role in the overall story, or that he's even one of Borderlands' protagonists. On the contrary, Steve is as plain of an NPC as there's ever been in a video game, except for his distinct catchphrase. Steve's one defining trait is that he only ever speaks by saying, "Heyooo!" It's a simple thing that could easily be forgotten about, but it's said in such an entertaining way that Steve has cemented himself as a cult favorite within the Borderlands fandom.
Steve's Appearances Through Borderlands Media
Adding to Steve's cult status, the less-is-more NPC has made numerous appearances across Borderlands projects. He was introduced in the Claptrap Web Series used to promote the first game, where he played an actor and stuntman. From there, Steve would appear as an NPC at various points in Borderlands and its subsequent DLC. Steve made another appearance in Borderlands 2, where players could find him and repeatedly trigger his catchphrase by speaking to him. Similar to Borderlands' Face McShooty, he easily could have been missed, but Steve created a distinct memory for those who found him.
Steve's legend has expanded to other games published by 2K as well. He played an essential role in Poker Night at the Inventory 2 as a sort of sidekick to Claptrap, arriving with the rambunctious robot during the opening cutscene. Much to Claptrap's displeasure, Steve will also shout out his catchphrase when Claptrap wins a hand. In the game's Borderlands setting, Steve plays a more direct role by shooting eliminated players with a confetti rocket. It's all in keeping with the silly nature of the Borderlands games, and few NPCs would be a better fit for such a role.
Borderlands has never taken itself too seriously, and it's largely been better for it. While antagonists like the Calypso twins from Borderlands 3 may not always land with fans, NPCs like Steve are always there to bring levity and a sense of familiarity. It's a testament to Gearbox's strength as a developer that it could take such a simple character and elevate him to a beloved figure. There's very little information out there on Borderlands 4, but one can hope that the next time Gearbox takes players vault hunting, Steve will be there to offer a comforting "Heyooo" when players need it.