Borderlands 4 April 2025: Full Announcements

Gearbox Software has recently concluded its Borderlands 4 State of Play, showcasing 20 minutes of new gameplay and details for the eagerly awaited looter shooter. The presentation dives straight into the action, assuring fans that the 2025 installment is poised to be the studio's most ambitious and grounded yet, featuring significant gameplay enhancements, including new traversal mechanics and alterations to the loot drop system. Gearbox filled the 20-minute showcase with exciting reveals about how Borderlands 4 elevates the series with new mechanics and revitalized features, and here are all the key highlights.

Each Borderlands game brings fresh traversal mechanics to the table, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. We've glimpsed some of the new tools players will wield upon its September release, but today's gameplay footage offered a more comprehensive preview of what's in store.

Vault hunters can now utilize a Destiny-inspired midair hover, allowing for shooting while airborne or reaching distant ledges. Additionally, a grappling hook serves both combat and exploration purposes, complemented by a dash for those critical last-second evasions. Vehicles remain a staple in Borderlands 4, with players now able to spawn their rides, including the new Digirunner, at their convenience.

Guns and Manufacturers

While previous showcases highlighted Vault Hunter traversal mechanics, today's State of Play spotlighted the gun manufacturers. Eight companies will arm players on their adventure, introducing three new ones: Order, Ripper, and Daedalus, each with distinctive weapon designs and abilities.

Borderlands 4 introduces the Licensed Parts System, revolutionizing gun mechanics. Weapons can now incorporate parts from various manufacturers, such as an assault rifle with Maliwan's elemental components, a Torgue ammo clip, and a Hyperion shield. Higher rarity weapons will feature more parts, intensifying the pursuit for significant loot drops.

Borderlands 4 State of Play Gameplay Screenshots

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Story

The Borderlands 4 State of Play follows the journey of two Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren and Rafa, a former Tediore soldier in an exosuit. Vex employs Siren abilities to summon allies in combat, while Rafa constructs Ark Knives to swiftly dismantle foes. The showcased gameplay features the duo navigating cold, expansive arenas in the Terminus Range, one of four zones on the planet Kairos.

Borderlands 4 continues the tradition of encountering familiar characters while introducing new ones. Notable returning figures include Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap, with hints of more to come about Lilith. New characters include the imposing, armored Rush and the helpful robot Echo 4, who will accompany players throughout the game, assisting with exploration, scanning environments, hacking, and guiding lost Vault Hunters to their next objectives.

Multiplayer

Gearbox has streamlined the co-op experience in Borderlands 4, introducing an "improved lobby system" that facilitates quick connections with friends. Crossplay will be available at launch, ensuring all loot is instanced for each player, and dynamic level scaling allows for seamless play across platforms.

Customization extends to party settings, allowing individual difficulty adjustments. Split-screen couch co-op will be available from launch, and a new feature enables fast travel to join friends if someone gets lost.

Borderlands 4 has moved up its release date on PC via the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S by 11 days, from September 23 to September 12. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is expected later in the year.

Despite fan speculation, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford clarified that the date change is not related to the anticipated release of Take-Two Interactive’s Grand Theft Auto 6. Stay tuned for more updates on Borderlands 4 as Gearbox prepares to unveil further details at an upcoming hands-on gameplay event in June.