Gearbox Software recently concluded its Borderlands 4 State of Play, unveiling 20 minutes of new gameplay and details from the eagerly awaited looter shooter. The presentation dives straight into the action, promising that the 2025 Borderlands entry is the studio's most immersive and refined experience to date. With significant gameplay changes, including new traversal abilities and an updated loot drop system, Gearbox packed the 20-minute showcase with exciting reveals about how Borderlands 4 elevates the series. Here, we summarize the key highlights for you.
Movement Abilities ------------------Each Borderlands game brings fresh traversal mechanics, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. The latest gameplay footage showcases the new tools that players will have at their disposal upon the game's release in September. Vault hunters can now enjoy a Destiny-inspired midair hover, allowing them to shoot while in the air or reach distant ledges. Additionally, a grappling hook adds versatility for both combat and exploration, complemented by a dash for those critical evasive maneuvers. Vehicles remain a staple in Borderlands 4, with the new Digirunner available for players to spawn at their convenience.
Guns and Manufacturers
While previous showcases highlighted the new Vault Hunter traversal mechanics, the recent 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 brings unique weapon designs and abilities to the table. Borderlands 4 also introduces the Licensed Parts System, allowing guns to be composed of parts from various manufacturers. For example, you could find an assault rifle with elemental components from Maliwan, a Torgue-made ammo clip, and a Hyperion shield. This system increases the importance of hunting for high-rarity weapons with more parts.
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, an exosuit-wearing former Tediore soldier. Vex harnesses Siren powers to summon beings for combat support, while Rafa crafts tools like Ark Knives to dismantle foes on the go. The gameplay showcases their journey through the cold, expansive arenas of the Terminus Range, one of four zones on the planet Kairos.
Borderlands 4 continues the tradition of blending old and new characters. Familiar faces like Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap make appearances, with hints of more information about Lilith. New characters include the imposing Rush and the helpful robot Echo 4, who will assist players throughout their journey by scanning environments, hacking, and guiding lost Vault Hunters to their objectives.
Multiplayer
Gearbox has streamlined the co-op experience for Borderlands 4, introducing an improved lobby system that makes joining friends easier. Crossplay will be available at launch, with loot instanced for each player and dynamic level scaling to ensure a smooth experience across platforms. Players can also customize their difficulty settings independently, enhancing the multiplayer experience. Split-screen couch co-op will be available at launch, alongside a fast travel feature to quickly reunite with friends if separated.
Borderlands 4 also introduces a reduced chance for Legendary loot drops, enriched skill trees, and more. Players will choose between a quick revive or temporary combat buff with Rep Kit gear, while Ordnances allow them to equip either grenades or unique heavy weapons in a cooldown slot. Enhancements replace Artifacts, providing specific bonuses to guns from different manufacturers.Borderlands 4 has recently 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 planned for later in the year. Despite fan speculation, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford clarified that this change is not related to the release of Take-Two Interactive’s Grand Theft Auto 6. Stay tuned for more updates as Gearbox prepares for its upcoming hands-on gameplay event in June.
