Gearbox Software has just 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, promising that the 2025 installment will be Gearbox's most immersive and refined game yet, featuring significant gameplay enhancements from new traversal abilities to modifications in the loot drop system. The 20-minute showcase was packed with insights into how Borderlands 4 elevates the series with innovative mechanics and revamped features, and we have all the key points covered here.
Movement Abilities ------------------Every Borderlands game brings fresh traversal mechanics to the table, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. While we've had glimpses of the new tools players will wield upon the game's release this September, the gameplay footage from today's event provided a more detailed view of what's in store.
Vault hunters can now utilize a midair hover reminiscent of Destiny, allowing players to shoot while in the air or access distant ledges. Additionally, a grappling hook adds versatility for both combat and exploration, and a dash feature offers crucial last-second evasions. Vehicles remain a staple in Borderlands 4, with players now able to summon their rides, including the new Digirunner, at any location.
Guns and Manufacturers
Previous showcases have teased new Vault Hunter traversal mechanics, but today's State of Play spotlighted the game's gun manufacturers. With eight companies arming players this time around, three new ones—Order, Ripper, and Daedalus—join the fray with unique weapon designs and abilities.
Borderlands 4 pushes the envelope further with the introduction of the Licensed Parts System. This innovation allows guns to be composed of various parts from different manufacturers, resulting in unique combinations like an assault rifle with Maliwan's elemental components, a Torgue ammo clip, and a Hyperion shield. Higher rarity weapons boast more parts, intensifying the thrill of the loot hunt.
Borderlands 4 State of Play Gameplay Screenshots
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Story
The Borderlands 4 State of Play follows the adventures of two Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren and Rafa, a former Tediore soldier in an exosuit. Vex harnesses Siren abilities to summon allies in battle, while Rafa crafts tools like Ark Knives to dismantle foes swiftly. The showcased gameplay takes place in the frigid, expansive arenas of the Terminus Range, one of four zones on the planet Kairos.
Continuing the series' tradition, Borderlands 4 blends familiar faces with new ones. Today's event featured Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap, with hints of more to come about Lilith. New characters include the imposing armored figure Rush and the helpful robot Echo 4. This robot companion will accompany players throughout Borderlands 4, aiding in exploration by scanning environments, hacking, and guiding lost Vault Hunters to their next objective.
Multiplayer
Borderlands 4 players will appreciate Gearbox's efforts to enhance the co-op experience. The game introduces "an improved lobby system" to facilitate seamless connections with friends. Crossplay will be available from launch, ensuring loot remains instanced and levels dynamically scale, allowing for flexible play across platforms.
Party customization is taken to new heights, as Gearbox has implemented a feature allowing each player to set their own difficulty level independently. Split-screen couch co-op will be available at launch, and a new fast travel option lets players quickly rejoin friends if they get separated.
Borderlands 4 also introduces a reduced chance for Legendary loot drops, more intricate skill trees, and a variety of 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 in the cooldown slot. Enhancements replace Artifacts, granting 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 release later in the year.
Despite fan speculation, Gearbox's Randy Pitchford clarified that this schedule change is not related to the long-awaited release of Take-Two Interactive's Grand Theft Auto 6. Stay tuned for more information as Gearbox gears up to unveil further details at its upcoming hands-on gameplay event in June.
