Borderlands 4 April 2025: All Announcements Revealed

Gearbox Software has just concluded its Borderlands 4 State of Play, showcasing 20 minutes of new gameplay and details from the much-anticipated looter shooter. The presentation dives straight into the action, promising that the 2025 installment is the studio's most immersive and refined experience to date, with significant gameplay enhancements ranging from new movement mechanics to revamped loot systems. Gearbox packed the 20-minute showcase with insights into how Borderlands 4 elevates the franchise with innovative mechanics and revitalized features. Here are the key highlights:

Movement Abilities

Each Borderlands game brings fresh traversal mechanics, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. We've seen glimpses of new tools for players in previous showcases, but the latest gameplay footage offers a more detailed look at what's in store. Vault Hunters can now utilize a midair hover reminiscent of Destiny, allowing for shooting while airborne and reaching distant ledges. Additionally, a grappling hook serves both combat and exploration purposes, while a dash ability enables last-second evasions. Vehicles remain a crucial element in Borderlands 4, with the new Digirunner and the ability to spawn them anywhere you desire.

Guns and Manufacturers

While previous showcases focused on Vault Hunter traversal, today's State of Play spotlighted the gun manufacturers. With a total of eight companies arming players on their journey, three new ones—Order, Ripper, and Daedalus—introduce novel weaponry. Each manufacturer, including the newcomers, boasts distinctive weapon designs and abilities. Borderlands 4 takes a step further by introducing the Licensed Parts System, allowing guns to be composed of parts from different manufacturers. Imagine an assault rifle with elemental components from Maliwan, a Torgue ammo clip, and a Hyperion shield. Higher rarity weapons feature more parts, making the pursuit of elite loot more essential than ever.

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, who conjures beings to aid in battle, and Rafa, a former Tediore soldier in an exosuit, who crafts tools like Ark Knives to dismantle enemies on the fly. The gameplay showcases the duo navigating cold, expansive arenas in the Terminus Range, one of four zones on the planet Kairos.

Borderlands 4 continues the tradition of blending familiar faces with new ones. Notable appearances include Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap, with hints about Lilith's backstory. New characters include the towering, armored Rush and the helpful robot Echo 4, which accompanies players throughout the game, aiding in exploration through scanning, hacking, and guiding lost Vault Hunters to their objectives.

Multiplayer

Gearbox has enhanced the co-op experience in Borderlands 4, introducing an improved lobby system for easier friend connections. Crossplay will be available at launch, with loot instanced for each player and dynamic level scaling, allowing for seamless play across platforms. Customization extends to individual difficulty settings within parties, making group play more accessible. Split-screen couch co-op and fast travel to join friends enhance the multiplayer experience.

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

Borderlands 4 has advanced its release date by 11 days, moving 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's Randy Pitchford clarified that the date shift is unrelated to the long-awaited release of Take-Two Interactive's Grand Theft Auto 6. Stay tuned for more updates as Gearbox plans a hands-on gameplay event in June.