Borderlands 4 April 2025 State of Play: All Announcements

Gearbox Software recently concluded its exciting Borderlands 4 State of Play, unveiling 20 minutes of new gameplay and detailed insights into the much-anticipated looter shooter. The presentation dives straight into the heart of the action, promising that the 2025 installment of the Borderlands series is the studio's most refined and immersive yet. With significant gameplay enhancements, ranging from innovative traversal abilities to a revamped loot drop system, Gearbox has packed the 20-minute showcase with fresh mechanics and updated features. Here, we break down all the key highlights from the event.

Each Borderlands game introduces new ways to navigate the world, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. The latest gameplay footage offers a glimpse into the new traversal tools players will enjoy upon the game's release in September. Vault hunters can now utilize a midair hover reminiscent of Destiny, allowing for shooting while airborne or reaching distant ledges. Additionally, a grappling hook enhances both combat and exploration, while a dash ability enables last-second evasions. Vehicles remain a staple in Borderlands 4, with the new Digirunner and the ability to spawn rides at will.

Guns and Manufacturers

While previous showcases highlighted Vault Hunter traversal mechanics, the State of Play spotlighted the gun manufacturers. Eight companies, including three new ones—Order, Ripper, and Daedalus—will arm players in this adventure. Each manufacturer brings unique weapon designs and abilities to the table. Borderlands 4 introduces the Licensed Parts System, allowing guns to be composed of parts from different manufacturers. For instance, an assault rifle might feature elemental components from Maliwan, an ammo clip from Torgue, and a shield from Hyperion. Higher rarity weapons boast more parts, intensifying the thrill of hunting for top-tier loot.

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 uses her Siren abilities to summon allies in battle, while Rafa crafts tools like Ark Knives to swiftly dismantle foes. The showcased gameplay features the duo navigating the cold, expansive arenas of the Terminus Range, one of four zones on the planet Kairos.

The narrative continues the series' tradition of blending familiar faces with new characters. Returning figures include 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 assists players throughout Borderlands 4 by scanning environments, hacking, and guiding lost Vault Hunters to their next objectives.

Multiplayer

Gearbox has streamlined the co-op experience in Borderlands 4, introducing an improved lobby system for easier friend connections. Crossplay will be available at launch, ensuring seamless play across platforms with instanced loot and dynamic level scaling. Customization extends to individual difficulty settings within parties, enhancing the co-op experience. Split-screen couch co-op and a fast travel feature to join friends also make their debut at launch.

The release date for Borderlands 4 on PC via the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S has been moved up by 11 days, from September 23 to September 12. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is slated for 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 updates as Gearbox prepares for its upcoming hands-on gameplay event in June.