Gearbox Software program simply wrapped up its Borderlands 4 State of Play, revealing 20 minutes of new gameplay and details from its extremely anticipated looter shooter.
The presentation hops proper into the motion with the promise that the 2025 Borderlands entry is the studio’s finest and most grounded outing but, promising main gameplay modifications that vary from new traversal skills to loot drop system modifications. Gearbox managed to fill the 20-minute showcase with reveals about how Borderlands 4 ups the ante with new mechanics and refreshed present options, and we’ve acquired all of the highlights proper right here.
Motion Talents
Each Borderlands title updates its traversal mechanics in new methods, and Borderlands 4 seems to be to be no totally different. We’ve seen hints of some of the brand new looter-shooter instruments gamers could have at their disposal when its launch date rolls round this September, however as we speak’s gameplay footage gave us a clearer have a look at what’s to return.
Vault hunters can take benefit of a really Future-like midair hover this time round, giving gamers the liberty to shoot whereas airborne or attain faraway ledges. There’s additionally a grappling hook that can be utilized for each fight and exploration, in addition to a splash for these last-second dodges. Autos, of course, proceed to be a serious element in Borderlands 4, too, and this time round, it seems we’ll have the liberty to spawn our rides, together with the brand new Digirunner, wherever we please.
Weapons and Producers
We’ve gotten a style of the brand new Vault Hunter traversal mechanics in earlier showcases, however as we speak’s State of Play actually put the gun producers within the highlight. There’s a complete of eight firms supplying gamers’ journey this time round, which means three new ones – Order, Ripper, and Daedalus – will likely be behind some of Borderlands 4’s new toys.
Like the opposite returning producers, every newcomer options distinctive weapon designs and skills. Borderlands 4 is taking issues one step additional, nonetheless, by introducing a brand new spin on its present gun mechanics: the Licensed Components System. Gun can now be comprised of a range of totally different elements from totally different producers, which means you could find an assault rifle with elemental parts developed by Maliwan, an ammo clip made by Torgue, and a protect from Hyperion. Larger rarity weapons include extra elements, making that quest for large loot drops extra essential than ever.
Story
The Borderlands 4 State of Play follows two Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren and an exosuit-wearing former Tediore soldier named Rafa. The previous playable character makes use of Siren skills to conjure beings to assist in battle, whereas the latter builds instruments like Ark Knives to tear enemies aside on the fly. Immediately’s gameplay sees the duo preventing by chilly, open arenas all through the Terminus Vary, one of 4 zones to discover on the planet Kairos.
Borderlands 4 will observe the sequence’ pattern of working into previous faces whereas introducing new ones. Some acquainted names that confirmed up throughout as we speak’s State of Play embody Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and, of course, Claptrap, although there have been additionally just a few hints that we’d study extra about Lilith, too. New characters embody a towering, armored particular person named Rush and a useful robotic named Echo 4. The helpful robotic companion will observe gamers for the length of Borderlands 4, aiding with exploration by scanning environments, hacking, and main misplaced Vault Hunters to their subsequent goal.
Multiplayer
Borderlands 4 gamers will likely be completely satisfied to listen to Gearbox has made an try and streamline the co-op course of this time round. Along with what it calls “an improved foyer system,” it ought to be simpler to hitch up with buddies at a second’s discover. Crossplay will likely be out there at launch, too, with all loot instanced for every participant and dynamic degree scaling which means you’ll have freedom with buddies on any platform.
Customization inside your events goes even additional, as Gearbox has carried out a characteristic that permits everybody to have their very own problem settings separate from each other. Making the journey with buddies simpler is cut up display sofa co-op, which will likely be out there at launch, in addition to an addition that permits gamers to quick journey to their buddies if somebody will get misplaced.
Borderlands 4 additionally contains a decrease probability for Legendary loot drops, dense new talent bushes, and a lot extra. Rep Equipment gear could have gamers selecting between a fast revive and momentary fight buff, whereas Ordnances give followers the choice to fill a cooldown weapons slot with both grenades or distinctive heavy weapons. There’s additionally Enhancements, which change Artifacts in favor of gifting bonuses to weapons from particular producers.
Borderlands 4 just lately moved up its PC through the Epic Video games Retailer, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Sequence X | S launch date 11 days from September 23 to September 12. A Nintendo Swap 2 model is due out at an unspecified level later within the yr, too.
Regardless of hypothesis from followers, Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford says the scheduled shake up has nothing to do with the long-awaited launch date of Take-Two Interactive’s Grand Theft Auto 6. Anticipate to study extra about Borderlands 4 as we look ahead to Gearbox to disclose extra about its upcoming hands-on gameplay occasion in June.
Michael Cripe is a contract contributor with IGN. He is finest recognized for his work at websites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Remember to give him a observe on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).