Borderlands 4 April 2025 Reveal: Key Announcements

Gearbox Software recently concluded its Borderlands 4 State of Play, unveiling 20 minutes of new gameplay and details for the much-anticipated looter shooter. The presentation jumps straight into the action, asserting that the 2025 release is the studio's most refined and immersive entry in the series yet, featuring significant gameplay enhancements from new traversal abilities to revamped loot drop mechanics. Gearbox packed the 20-minute showcase with insights into how Borderlands 4 raises the bar with innovative mechanics and revitalized features. Here are the key takeaways.

Movement Abilities ------------------

Each Borderlands game refreshes its traversal mechanics, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. We've caught glimpses of the new tools players will wield when the game launches this September, but today's gameplay footage provided a more detailed preview of what's in store.

Vault hunters now have a Destiny-inspired midair hover, allowing them to shoot while in the air or reach distant ledges. A grappling hook adds versatility for both combat and exploration, complemented by a dash for those crucial last-second evasions. Vehicles remain a staple in Borderlands 4, with the ability to summon rides, including the new Digirunner, at any location.

Guns and Manufacturers

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

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

Borderlands 4 State of Play Gameplay Screenshots

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

Borderlands 4 continues the series' tradition of blending familiar faces with new characters. Today's State of Play featured Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap, with hints of more to come about Lilith. New additions include Rush, a towering armored figure, and Echo 4, a helpful robot that assists players throughout the game by scanning environments, hacking, and guiding lost Vault Hunters to their next objective.

Multiplayer

Borderlands 4 enhances the co-op experience with a streamlined process. Gearbox introduces "an improved lobby system," making it easier to connect with friends instantly. 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 individual difficulty settings within parties, enhancing the co-op experience. Split-screen couch co-op will be available at launch, along with a feature allowing players to fast travel to their friends if someone gets lost.

Borderlands 4 also introduces a reduced chance for Legendary loot drops, dense new skill trees, and more. Rep Kit gear offers choices between quick revives and temporary combat buffs, while Ordnances allow players to equip either grenades or unique heavy weapons in a cooldown slot. Enhancements replace Artifacts, providing bonuses to guns from specific manufacturers.

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 later in the year.

Despite fan speculation, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford clarified that the date change is unrelated to the long-awaited release of Take-Two Interactive’s Grand Theft Auto 6. Stay tuned for more updates as Gearbox prepares to unveil additional details at its upcoming hands-on gameplay event in June.