Borderlands 4 April 2025 Reveal: All Announcements

Gearbox Software recently concluded its Borderlands 4 State of Play, unveiling an exciting 20 minutes of new gameplay and details for the eagerly awaited looter shooter. The presentation dives straight into the action, highlighting that the 2025 installment is set to be the studio's most immersive and refined entry yet, with significant gameplay enhancements ranging from new traversal abilities to revamped loot drop systems. Gearbox packed the 20-minute showcase with insights on how Borderlands 4 elevates the series with fresh mechanics and updated features, and we've gathered all the key highlights for you right here.

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

Each Borderlands game introduces innovative ways to navigate the world, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. While we've had glimpses of the new looter-shooter tools players will wield upon the game's September release, today's gameplay footage offered a clearer picture of what's in store.

Vault hunters can now utilize a midair hover reminiscent of Destiny, allowing for shooting while in the air or reaching distant ledges. Additionally, a grappling hook enhances both combat and exploration, and a new dash feature aids in last-second evasions. Vehicles remain a staple in Borderlands 4, with the added ability to spawn them, including the new Digirunner, at will.

Guns and Manufacturers

While previous showcases showcased the new Vault Hunter traversal mechanics, the State of Play spotlighted the game's gun manufacturers. Eight companies will arm players on their journey, introducing three new ones: Order, Ripper, and Daedalus, each with unique weapon designs and abilities.

Borderlands 4 takes a step further with the introduction of the Licensed Parts System. This innovative feature allows guns to incorporate various parts from different manufacturers, such as an assault rifle with elemental components from Maliwan, a Torgue-made ammo clip, and a Hyperion shield. Higher rarity weapons feature more parts, making the pursuit of legendary loot drops more thrilling than ever.

Borderlands 4 State of Play Gameplay Screenshots

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The Borderlands 4 State of Play follows two Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren, who uses her abilities to summon allies in battle, and Rafa, a former Tediore soldier in an exosuit who crafts tools like Ark Knives to swiftly dismantle foes. The showcased gameplay features the duo navigating cold, expansive arenas in the Terminus Range, one of four zones on the planet Kairos.

Borderlands 4 continues the tradition of blending familiar faces with new characters. Notable returning figures include Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap, with hints about Lilith's deeper involvement. New additions include Rush, a towering armored figure, and Echo 4, a robot companion that assists with exploration, scanning, hacking, and guiding lost Vault Hunters to their next objectives.

Multiplayer

Borderlands 4 enhances the multiplayer experience with a streamlined co-op process. Gearbox has introduced "an improved lobby system" to facilitate easier connections with friends. Crossplay will be available from launch, with all loot instanced and dynamic level scaling ensuring seamless play across platforms.

Customization options extend to difficulty settings, allowing each player to set their own challenge level. Split-screen couch co-op will be available at launch, along with a feature that enables fast travel to friends if someone gets lost.

Borderlands 4 also introduces a lower chance for Legendary loot drops, denser skill trees, and numerous new features. Rep Kit gear lets players choose between a quick revive or a temporary combat buff, while Ordnances allow for filling a cooldown weapon 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 planned for later in the year.

Despite fan speculation, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford clarified that the release date change is unrelated to the long-awaited launch of Take-Two Interactive's Grand Theft Auto 6. Stay tuned for more information as Gearbox prepares to unveil further details at an upcoming hands-on gameplay event in June.