Gearbox Software recently unveiled an exciting State of Play for Borderlands 4, showcasing 20 minutes of new gameplay and details for the eagerly awaited looter shooter. The presentation dives straight into the action, promising that the 2025 release will be the studio's most immersive and refined experience to date, with significant gameplay enhancements ranging from new traversal abilities to revamped loot drop mechanics. Gearbox packed the 20-minute showcase with insights into how Borderlands 4 elevates the series with innovative mechanics and enhanced features, and we've compiled all the key highlights for you here.
Movement Abilities ------------------Each Borderlands game introduces fresh traversal mechanics, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. We've had glimpses of the new tools players will wield when the game launches this September, but the recent gameplay footage provided a more comprehensive view of what's in store.
Vault hunters in Borderlands 4 can now utilize a Destiny-inspired midair hover, allowing them to shoot while in the air or reach distant ledges. Additionally, a versatile grappling hook enhances both combat and exploration, while a new dash feature aids in those critical last-second evasions. Vehicles remain a staple in the game, and players will have the ability to spawn their rides, including the new Digirunner, at their convenience.
Guns and Manufacturers
While we've seen previews of the Vault Hunter traversal mechanics, today's State of Play spotlighted the game's gun manufacturers. With a total of eight companies arming players this time around, three new ones—Order, Ripper, and Daedalus—introduce innovative weapons to the mix.
Each of these newcomers brings distinctive weapon designs and capabilities. Borderlands 4 further innovates with its Licensed Parts System, allowing guns to incorporate parts from different manufacturers. For instance, you might find an assault rifle with elemental components from Maliwan, a Torgue-made ammo clip, and a Hyperion shield. As weapons increase in rarity, they'll feature more parts, heightening the importance of the loot hunt.
Borderlands 4 State of Play Gameplay Screenshots
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Story
The Borderlands 4 State of Play follows two Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren and Rafa, an exosuit-wearing former Tediore soldier. Vex harnesses Siren powers to summon allies in combat, while Rafa crafts Ark Knives to swiftly dismantle foes. The showcased gameplay features the duo battling through 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 and new characters. Returning figures like Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap appear, with hints that Lilith might have a more significant role. New additions include the towering, armored Rush and the helpful robot Echo 4, which will accompany players throughout the game, aiding with exploration, scanning environments, hacking, and guiding lost Vault Hunters to their next objective.
Multiplayer
Borderlands 4 enhances the multiplayer experience by streamlining the co-op process. Gearbox has introduced "an improved lobby system" to facilitate quicker connections with friends. Crossplay will be available from launch, ensuring all loot is instanced per player and dynamic level scaling accommodates players across different platforms.
Customization within parties is further expanded, allowing each player to set their own difficulty level independently. Split-screen couch co-op will be available at launch, along with a feature enabling fast travel to join friends if someone gets lost.
Borderlands 4 also introduces a reduced chance for Legendary loot drops, intricate new skill trees, and more. Players can choose between a quick revive or a temporary combat buff with Rep Kit gear, while Ordnances offer the option to equip either grenades or unique heavy weapons in a cooldown slot. Enhancements replace Artifacts, granting specific bonuses to guns from particular manufacturers.Borderlands 4 recently 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 slated for release later in the year, though a specific date has yet to be announced.
Despite fan speculation, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford clarified that the change in schedule 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 additional details at its upcoming hands-on gameplay event in June.
