Borderlands 4 April 2025 Reveal: All Announcements

Gearbox Software recently concluded its Borderlands 4 State of Play, unveiling 20 minutes of new gameplay and details for its eagerly awaited looter shooter. The showcase emphasized that the 2025 release will be the studio's most immersive and refined installment yet, featuring substantial gameplay enhancements from new traversal abilities to changes in the loot drop mechanics. Gearbox packed the 20-minute presentation with insights on how Borderlands 4 elevates its mechanics and revitalizes existing elements, and here are all the key points you need to know.

Movement Abilities ------------------

Each Borderlands game introduces fresh traversal mechanics, and Borderlands 4 continues this tradition. While earlier previews hinted at new tools for players, the recent gameplay footage offered a comprehensive look at the upcoming features. Vault hunters in Borderlands 4 can utilize a midair hover reminiscent of Destiny, allowing them to shoot while in the air or reach distant platforms. Additionally, a grappling hook serves dual purposes for combat and exploration, complemented by a dash for those critical evasive maneuvers. Vehicles remain a core component, with the ability to spawn them, including the new Digirunner, anywhere on the map.

Guns and Manufacturers

While previous showcases touched on Vault Hunter traversal, the State of Play spotlighted the game's gun manufacturers. With eight companies arming players, three new ones—Order, Ripper, and Daedalus—join the roster, each with distinctive weapon designs and capabilities. Borderlands 4 introduces the Licensed Parts System, revolutionizing gun mechanics. This system allows weapons to incorporate parts from multiple 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 epic loot.

Borderlands 4 State of Play Gameplay Screenshots

View 17 ImagesStory

The narrative of Borderlands 4 focuses on two Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren, who summons allies for battle, and Rafa, a former Tediore soldier in an exosuit, crafting tools like Ark Knives for combat. The gameplay showcased them navigating the frigid, open arenas of the Terminus Range, one of four zones on the planet Kairos. The story will blend familiar faces such as Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap with new characters, including the imposing Rush and the helpful robot Echo 4. Echo 4 will accompany players throughout the game, aiding in exploration through scanning, hacking, and guiding lost Vault Hunters to their objectives.

Multiplayer

Borderlands 4 enhances the co-op experience with streamlined processes. Gearbox introduces "an improved lobby system" for easier friend connections and crossplay at launch. Each player's loot will be instanced, and dynamic level scaling ensures seamless play across platforms. The game also offers customizable difficulty settings for each player in a party, along with split-screen couch co-op and a feature allowing players to fast travel to their friends if separated.

Borderlands 4 further enriches gameplay with a reduced chance for Legendary loot drops, expanded skill trees, and innovative gear options. Rep Kit gear lets players choose between a quick revive and a temporary combat buff, while Ordnances offer grenades or heavy weapons for cooldown slots. Enhancements replace Artifacts, granting bonuses to guns from specific manufacturers.

Borderlands 4 has moved up its release date for PC via the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S from September 23 to September 12, 2025. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is set to launch later in the year. Despite fan speculation, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford clarified that this change is unrelated to the anticipated release of Take-Two Interactive’s Grand Theft Auto 6. Stay tuned for more details as Gearbox gears up for its hands-on gameplay event in June.