Gearbox Software has just concluded its Borderlands 4 State of Play, showcasing an exciting 20 minutes of new gameplay and details from the much-anticipated looter shooter. The presentation dives straight into the action, assuring fans that the 2025 installment is the studio's most refined and grounded experience to date. It promises significant gameplay enhancements, from innovative traversal abilities to revamped loot drop mechanics. Gearbox packed the 20-minute showcase with insights on how Borderlands 4 elevates the series with fresh mechanics and revitalized features, and we've captured all the key moments for you.
Movement Abilities ------------------Each Borderlands game introduces new ways to navigate the world, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. We've had glimpses of the new traversal tools players will use when the game launches in September, but today's gameplay footage provided a more detailed preview of what's in store.
Vault hunters can now utilize a midair hover reminiscent of Destiny, allowing for shooting while airborne or reaching distant ledges. A grappling hook adds versatility for both combat and exploration, while a dash ability enables last-second evasions. Vehicles remain a staple in Borderlands 4, with the added convenience of spawning them, including the new Digirunner, at any location.
Guns and Manufacturers
While previous showcases highlighted Vault Hunter traversal mechanics, today's State of Play focused on the gun manufacturers. Eight companies will arm players in this adventure, introducing three new ones: Order, Ripper, and Daedalus, each bringing unique weapon designs and abilities.
Borderlands 4 takes gun mechanics a step further with the Licensed Parts System. Now, weapons can be composed of parts from different manufacturers, such as an assault rifle with Maliwan's elemental components, Torgue's ammo clip, and Hyperion's shield. Higher rarity weapons feature more parts, intensifying the thrill of hunting for those coveted loot drops.
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, a former Tediore soldier in an exosuit. Vex uses her Siren abilities to summon allies in battle, while Rafa crafts tools like Ark Knives to swiftly dismantle foes. The gameplay showcased the duo navigating the cold, expansive arenas of the Terminus Range, one of four zones on the planet Kairos.
Borderlands 4 continues the tradition of blending familiar faces with new characters. Today's presentation featured Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap, 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 the game, aiding in exploration, hacking, and guiding lost Vault Hunters to their objectives.
Multiplayer
Borderlands 4 enhances the co-op experience with a streamlined process. Gearbox has introduced "an improved lobby system," making it easier to connect with friends instantly. Crossplay will be available at launch, ensuring all loot is instanced for each player and dynamic level scaling allows for seamless play across platforms.
Customization extends to difficulty settings, allowing each player in a party to choose their own challenge level. Split-screen couch co-op will be available at launch, along with a feature enabling players to fast travel to their friends if they get separated.
Borderlands 4 also introduces a lower chance for Legendary loot drops, dense new skill trees, and more. Players will choose between quick revives and temporary combat buffs with Rep Kit gear, while Ordnances allow filling a cooldown weapons slot with either grenades or unique heavy weapons. Enhancements replace Artifacts, providing 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 later in the year.
Despite fan speculation, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford clarified that the date change is not related to the long-awaited release of Take-Two Interactive’s Grand Theft Auto 6. Stay tuned for more updates as Gearbox prepares to unveil additional details at its upcoming hands-on gameplay event in June.
