Borderlands 4 April 2025: All Announcements

Gearbox Software has just concluded its highly anticipated Borderlands 4 State of Play, offering fans an exciting glimpse into the future of the beloved looter shooter series with 20 minutes of new gameplay and details. This showcase promises that the 2025 installment will be the studio's most refined and immersive experience yet, featuring significant gameplay enhancements from new traversal mechanics to revamped loot drop systems. The presentation was packed with revelations about how Borderlands 4 elevates the series with innovative mechanics and enhanced existing features, and we have all the key highlights for you right here.

Each Borderlands game introduces fresh ways to navigate the world, and Borderlands 4 continues this tradition. While we've seen glimpses of the new traversal tools in previous showcases, the gameplay footage from today's event provided a more comprehensive look at what players can expect. Vault hunters will now have access to a Destiny-inspired midair hover, allowing for shooting while airborne or reaching distant ledges. Additionally, a versatile grappling hook will enhance both combat and exploration, alongside a swift dash for those critical evasive maneuvers. Vehicles remain a staple in Borderlands 4, with the new Digirunner and the ability to spawn rides at will, adding a new layer of freedom to the gameplay.

Guns and Manufacturers

While earlier showcases focused on Vault Hunter traversal mechanics, today's State of Play put the spotlight on the game's weaponry and manufacturers. Borderlands 4 introduces eight gun companies, including three new ones: Order, Ripper, and Daedalus, each bringing unique weapon designs and abilities to the table. A groundbreaking addition to the game is the Licensed Parts System, which allows guns to be composed of parts from various manufacturers. This means you could wield an assault rifle with Maliwan's elemental components, a Torgue-made ammo clip, and a Hyperion shield. Higher rarity weapons will feature more parts, intensifying the thrill of hunting for those coveted loot drops.

Borderlands 4 State of Play Gameplay Screenshots

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Story

The Borderlands 4 State of Play introduced us to two new Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren, who can summon creatures to aid in combat, and Rafa, a former Tediore soldier in an exosuit who crafts tools like Ark Knives for rapid enemy dismantling. The gameplay showcased the duo navigating the frigid expanses of the Terminus Range, one of four zones on the planet Kairos. The narrative will blend familiar faces like Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap with new characters, including the imposing Rush and the helpful robot Echo 4. Echo 4 will accompany players throughout Borderlands 4, assisting with exploration through scanning, hacking, and guiding lost Vault Hunters to their next objectives.

Multiplayer

Borderlands 4 aims to enhance the multiplayer experience with streamlined co-op features. Gearbox has introduced an "improved lobby system" to facilitate easier connections with friends, along with crossplay support at launch. Loot will be instanced for each player, and dynamic level scaling ensures that players can enjoy the game with friends on any platform. Customization extends to individual difficulty settings within parties, while split-screen couch co-op and the ability to fast travel to friends enhance the cooperative journey.

Borderlands 4 also introduces a reduced chance for Legendary loot drops, denser skill trees, and several new gameplay elements. Players will choose between quick revives and temporary combat buffs with Rep Kit gear, while Ordnances allow for the selection of either grenades or unique heavy weapons in a cooldown slot. Enhancements replace Artifacts, providing bonuses to guns from specific manufacturers.

In an exciting update, Borderlands 4 has moved up its release date by 11 days, from September 23 to September 12, for PC via the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is slated for a later release within the year. Despite fan speculation, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford clarified that this schedule adjustment is unrelated to the long-awaited release of Take-Two Interactive's Grand Theft Auto 6. Stay tuned for more details as Gearbox plans to unveil additional information during its upcoming hands-on gameplay event in June.