Since its debut in 2009, the Borderlands series has held a unique spot in the gaming landscape, largely credited with pioneering the looter shooter genre. Defined by its chaotic, action-packed gunplay, an endless supply of outrageous weapons, and signature crass humor, it’s a franchise beloved by many. However, as the genre evolved with more RPG-infused multiplayer experiences, Borderlands found itself facing increased competition.
With Borderlands 4, developer Gearbox Software is clearly making a concerted effort to revitalize the series and potentially reclaim its status at the forefront of the looter shooter space. Based on a recent hands-on preview, it appears they are taking some significant steps, introducing ambitious changes aimed at evolving the core formula while retaining the chaotic fun fans expect.
My initial hours with Borderlands 4 left me optimistic. Whether it’s the greatly improved combat mechanics, interesting new build customization options, a fresh setting, or a darker narrative tone, the game feels poised to draw players back into its wonderfully weird universe of bandits, monsters, and irritating robots.
What’s New and Improved in Borderlands 4 Gameplay
A standout change immediately apparent in Borderlands 4 gameplay is the focus on enhanced player movement. The game introduces a suite of new traversal options designed to keep Vault Hunters agile in combat and exploration. Expect capabilities like double jumping, air gliding, dashing, grappling with a hook, and even swimming – finally allowing players to enter water without instantly dying, a welcome fix to a long-standing series frustration.
These new abilities add exciting dimensions to navigating combat arenas, facilitating faster engagements and offering more strategic positioning against enemies. While initially feeling like a lot to manage simultaneously, mastering the combination of these moves, such as double jumping, gliding, and grappling across a room, becomes incredibly satisfying and speeds up the overall pace compared to previous entries.
The Arsenal Expands (Mostly)
True to form, the promise of a bottomless cache of weapons remains central to Borderlands 4. While the early game sampling in the preview wasn’t revolutionary, new weapon manufacturers are joining the fray. Ripper weapons require a spin-up like COV guns but unleash a torrent of bullets, while Daedelus offers switchable ammo types akin to Dahl. The most distinct new type encountered was The Order, featuring unique alternate firing modes, including a pistol capable of creating gravity wells instead of traditional bullets. With billions of weapon variations promised and the potential for wild legendary drops later on, the core loot chase feels as compelling as ever.
Deeper Buildcrafting and the Repkit
Build customization sees noteworthy changes, most notably with the introduction of the Repkit. This dedicated healing item slot operates alongside traditional pickups, adding a strategic layer. Players can choose Repkits not just for raw healing but for secondary effects triggered upon use, such as a burst of Cryo damage or temporary buffs, often at the cost of healing efficiency or cooldown speed. This system opens significant possibilities for clever min-maxing and tailoring builds to specific playstyles. Furthermore, Gearbox has discussed overhauling loot drop rates and the overall acquisition experience to feel more rewarding.
New Vault Hunters and Character Builds
Borderlands 4 introduces a fresh roster of Vault Hunters. In the preview, I had the chance to play as Vex, a Siren focused on summoning NPC companions, and Rafa, an Exo-Soldier utilizing high-tech gadgets, including deadly melee blades and shoulder-mounted cannons. The potential for diverse and powerful character builds is immediately evident in the early skill trees, with promising perks like Rafa’s ability to detach his shoulder turrets to create stationary battle stations, hinting at spicy late-game possibilities. Fan favorites like Claptrap are also confirmed to return, alongside new characters.
A Darker Story on a New World
A significant departure is Borderlands 4‘s new setting and narrative tone. The game takes place on the planet Kairos, a world controlled by an oppressive, immortal antagonist known as the Timekeeper. The events of previous Borderlands games have disrupted the Timekeeper’s unjust order, creating chaos and setting the stage for the new Vault Hunters’ arrival.
While retaining the series’ signature humor, gore, and cheeky characters, the tone is clearly darker and more grounded than previous entries, particularly hopeful for more substantial antagonists compared to Borderlands 3. The deliberate shift away from Pandora and reliance on established characters gives Borderlands 4 the feel of a soft reboot, offering a fresh start for new stories. This evolution feels necessary as the genre has become increasingly crowded.
Classic Borderlands Fun Endures
Despite the significant changes, Borderlands 4 doesn’t abandon its roots. Players will still spend hours engaging in chaotic combat, watching colorful loot explode from fallen foes, and flattening enemies with vehicles – which can now be summoned anywhere on the map, a massive quality-of-life improvement. Raiding perilous vaults and taking down massive, mechanically interesting bosses for loot, XP, and bragging rights remain core pillars. One boss encounter in the preview stood out as potentially the most complex in the series yet. Even smaller details like the mention of a cat companion suggest fun, new additions alongside familiar mechanics.
Borderlands 4 Release Date and Platforms Confirmed
Mark your calendars: Borderlands 4 is set to release on September 12, 2025. The game will be available across multiple platforms, including PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store), and the Nintendo Switch 2.
Final Impressions and Outlook
After several hours with Borderlands 4, the outlook is largely positive. Gearbox appears willing to take substantial risks to evolve the series, which feels necessary for it to thrive in the current looter shooter landscape. While not abandoning the core identity, the focus on enhanced movement, deeper builds, a new setting, and refined systems suggests Borderlands 4 is making a serious play to once again stand tall in the genre it helped define. Stay tuned for more details and potentially later-game footage in the future.
