Gearbox has unveiled an exclusive first look at Borderlands 4 gameplay during a special State of Play stream presented by Sony. The highly anticipated game is scheduled to release on September 12, 2025, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, with the launch date moved up by two weeks.
Take a closer look at the gameplay deep dive, showcased on the PS5 Pro.
During the gameplay deep dive led by Creative Director Graeme Timms and Senior Project Producer Anthony Nicholson, viewers were taken through various missions in Kairos, the new weapons available, the introduction of new and returning characters, and the Action Skills.
Setting and Storyline of Borderlands 4
Borderlands 4 transports players to the planet Kairos, a world under the rule of the tyrannical Timekeeper and their synthetic army, the Order. As a Vault Hunter, players will embark on a quest for ancient alien treasures, racing against time to uncover them before the Timekeeper does.
Set after the rogue moon is transported away from Pandora at the conclusion of Borderlands 3 and into the orbit of Kairos, the planet faces turmoil due to the catastrophic effects. The once obedient populace now challenges the oppressive regime of the Timekeeper.
Campaign & Co-op Features
Borderlands 4 presents a new lobby system enabling full cross-play across different platforms.
Local split-screen gameplay makes a return.
Players can set individual difficulty levels for each player.
In addition to the main storyline, Borderlands 4 offers mission and boss replayability, allowing players to revisit sections of the game without the need for saved data to re-encounter bosses.
World Exploration and Activities
The demo showcased the frigid Terminus Range, one of four expansive zones in the game for players to explore. Dynamic weather effects and events keep gameplay fresh and engaging.
The primary objective in this area was to infiltrate a secret blacksite in the mountains to locate Lillith, encountering challenges such as hacking a silo to unlock valuable technology that aids the rebellion and provides zipline access using a balloon.
Discovering Vault Key Fragments unlocks access to high-level dungeons with intense combat and top-tier loot rewards.
New Vault Hunters
Two new Vault Hunters were introduced: Vex, a Siren harnessing supernatural Phase energy to enhance herself or summon spectral creatures, and Rafa, a former TDR soldier equipped with an experimental exo suit capable of unleashing arc knives in a devastating swirl.
Each Vault Hunter offers three unique Action Skills, along with a passive Trait. For instance, Vex’s summons can adapt to the elemental damage of her current weapon.
Weapon Customization and Looting
All weaponry originates from one of eight manufacturers, including returning favorites like Jakobs, Maliwan, Vladof, Tediore, and Togue, as well as new additions such as Order, Ripper, and Daedalus.
A new feature allows players to customize weapons with Licensed Parts from different manufacturers, enhancing control over their functionality.
Enhancements replace Artefacts from previous games, offering specific boosts to weapons incorporating parts from specific manufacturers.
Separate gear slots are reserved for heavy Ordinance weapons like launchers and machine guns, which operate on a cooldown system rather than limited ammo.
Movement and Combat Mechanics
Borderlands 4 introduces various movement abilities for exploration and combat, including glide, double jump, dash, and grapple, providing enhanced freedom of movement.
These abilities were highlighted in a challenging boss battle that required constant movement to evade attacks.
Players have access to a personal Digi Runner hover vehicle for transportation and combat, customizable with different paint jobs and equipped with offensive capabilities.
Fast travel options are available to reunite with friends if separated.
This comprehensive overview captures the essence of the fast-paced gameplay deep dive for Borderlands 4, showcasing the game’s promising features. Stay tuned for more updates, including a hands-on experience in June leading up to the September release date.
