Gearbox Software recently concluded its Borderlands 4 State of Play, unveiling 20 minutes of new gameplay and details from this much-anticipated looter shooter. The showcase promised that the 2025 entry in the Borderlands series would be Gearbox's most ambitious and grounded yet, introducing significant gameplay enhancements from new traversal abilities to a revamped loot drop system. The 20-minute presentation was packed with exciting reveals about how Borderlands 4 elevates the franchise with fresh mechanics and revitalized features, and we've gathered all the key highlights for you right here.
Movement Abilities ------------------Each Borderlands game brings new ways to navigate the world, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. We've seen glimpses of the innovative tools players will wield when the game launches this September, but today's gameplay footage provided a more detailed look at what's in store.
Vault hunters can now employ a midair hover reminiscent of Destiny, allowing them to shoot while airborne or reach distant ledges. Additionally, a grappling hook adds versatility for both combat and exploration, complemented by a dash for those crucial last-second evasions. Vehicles remain a key element in Borderlands 4, with the new ability to spawn your ride, including the innovative Digirunner, wherever you choose.
Guns and Manufacturers
While previous showcases focused on traversal, today's State of Play spotlighted the game's gun manufacturers. Eight companies will arm players on their journey, introducing three new ones: Order, Ripper, and Daedalus, each bringing unique weapon designs and abilities to the table.
Borderlands 4 pushes the envelope further with the introduction of the Licensed Parts System, allowing guns to be crafted from a mix of parts from different manufacturers. Imagine an assault rifle with Maliwan's elemental components, a Torgue-made ammo clip, and a Hyperion shield. The higher the rarity of the weapon, the more parts it contains, making the hunt for legendary loot more thrilling than ever.
Borderlands 4 State of Play Gameplay Screenshots
View 17 Images
Story
The Borderlands 4 State of Play follows two Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren and Rafa, an exosuit-wearing former Tediore soldier. Vex uses her Siren powers to summon allies in battle, while Rafa crafts Ark Knives to swiftly dismantle foes. The showcased gameplay features the duo navigating the frigid, expansive arenas of the Terminus Range, one of four zones on the planet Kairos.
The narrative continues the series' tradition of blending old and new characters. Familiar faces such as Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap make appearances, with hints of more to come about Lilith. New additions include Rush, a towering, armored figure, and Echo 4, a helpful robot that will accompany players throughout Borderlands 4, aiding in exploration through scanning environments, hacking, and guiding lost Vault Hunters to their next objective.
Multiplayer
Borderlands 4 promises a smoother co-op experience with an enhanced lobby system, making it easier to connect with friends. Crossplay will be available from launch, ensuring seamless play across platforms, with individual loot instances and dynamic level scaling allowing for flexible gameplay.
Party customization extends to individual difficulty settings, ensuring a tailored experience for each player. Split-screen couch co-op will be available at launch, and a new feature allows players to fast-travel to their friends if they get separated.
Borderlands 4 also introduces a reduced chance for Legendary loot drops, denser skill trees, and various new features. Players can choose between quick revives and temporary combat buffs with Rep Kit gear, while Ordnances offer the choice between grenades and unique heavy weapons for the cooldown slot. Enhancements replace Artifacts, providing specific bonuses to guns from different manufacturers.Borderlands 4 recently moved up its release date by 11 days, shifting 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 this year.
Despite fan speculation, Gearbox's Randy Pitchford clarified that the date change has nothing to do with the long-awaited release of Take-Two Interactive's Grand Theft Auto 6. Stay tuned for more updates as Gearbox prepares for its upcoming hands-on gameplay event in June.
