Borderlands 4 April 2025 Reveal: Key Announcements

Gearbox Software recently concluded its Borderlands 4 State of Play, showcasing 20 minutes of new gameplay and details for its eagerly awaited looter shooter. The presentation dives straight into the action, promising that the 2025 entry will be the studio's most grounded and finest yet, featuring significant gameplay enhancements ranging from new traversal abilities to revised loot drop formulas. Gearbox packed the 20-minute showcase with reveals about how Borderlands 4 elevates the experience with fresh mechanics and revamped existing features, and we’ve gathered all the key highlights here.

Each Borderlands game refreshes its traversal mechanics, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. We've caught glimpses of the new tools players will have at their disposal upon the game's release in September, but today's gameplay footage offers a more detailed look at what's in store.

Vault hunters can now use a midair hover reminiscent of Destiny, allowing players to shoot while in the air or reach distant ledges. A new grappling hook serves dual purposes for combat and exploration, while a dash ability enables last-second evasive maneuvers. Vehicles remain a crucial element in Borderlands 4, with players now able to spawn their rides, including the new Digirunner, at any location of their choosing.

Guns and Manufacturers

While previous showcases focused on Vault Hunter traversal mechanics, today's State of Play shone a spotlight on the gun manufacturers. Eight companies will supply players' arsenals this time around, introducing three new ones: Order, Ripper, and Daedalus, each bringing unique weapon designs and abilities.

Borderlands 4 pushes the envelope further with its new Licensed Parts System, allowing guns to be assembled from various parts sourced from different manufacturers. This means you could encounter an assault rifle with Maliwan's elemental components, a Torgue-made ammo clip, and a Hyperion shield. Higher rarity weapons boast more parts, intensifying the importance of the hunt for those coveted big loot drops.

Borderlands 4 State of Play Gameplay Screenshots

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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 employs her Siren abilities to summon beings that aid in combat, 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 encountering familiar faces while introducing new ones. Today's State of Play featured well-known characters like Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap, with hints of more information about Lilith on the horizon. New characters include the towering, armored Rush and the helpful robot Echo 4, who will accompany players throughout Borderlands 4, assisting with exploration by scanning environments, hacking, and guiding lost Vault Hunters to their objectives.

Multiplayer

Borderlands 4 enhances the multiplayer experience with a streamlined co-op process. Gearbox has introduced "an improved lobby system," making it easier to connect with friends instantly. Crossplay will be available at launch, with loot instanced for each player and dynamic level scaling ensuring a seamless experience across platforms.

Party customization goes a step further, with individual difficulty settings for each player. Split-screen couch co-op will be available at launch, and a new feature allows players to fast travel to their friends if someone gets lost.

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 expected later in the year.

Despite fan speculation, Gearbox's Randy Pitchford clarified that this schedule adjustment is unrelated to the anticipated release of Take-Two Interactive’s Grand Theft Auto 6. Stay tuned for more updates on Borderlands 4 as we approach Gearbox's upcoming hands-on gameplay event in June.