Gearbox Software has just concluded its Borderlands 4 State of Play, showcasing 20 minutes of new gameplay and details for the eagerly awaited looter shooter. The presentation dives straight into the action, promising that the 2025 installment is the studio's most ambitious and grounded yet, with significant gameplay changes including new traversal abilities and modifications to the loot drop system. Gearbox filled the 20-minute showcase with insights into how Borderlands 4 elevates the experience with innovative mechanics and enhanced features, and we've compiled all the key highlights for you right here.
Movement Abilities ------------------Each Borderlands game brings fresh traversal mechanics, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. We've had glimpses of the new tools players will wield when the game launches this September, but today's gameplay footage provided a more detailed preview of what's in store.
Vault hunters now have a Destiny-inspired midair hover, allowing them to shoot while airborne or reach distant ledges. Additionally, a grappling hook serves dual purposes for combat and exploration, and a dash feature enables last-second evasive maneuvers. Vehicles remain a staple in Borderlands 4, with players now able to spawn their rides, including the new Digirunner, at their convenience.
Guns and Manufacturers
While previous showcases highlighted new Vault Hunter traversal mechanics, today's State of Play focused on the gun manufacturers. Borderlands 4 features eight companies, introducing three new ones – Order, Ripper, and Daedalus – each bringing unique weapon designs and abilities to the table.
Borderlands 4 introduces the Licensed Parts System, a novel twist on gun mechanics. Weapons can now incorporate various parts from different manufacturers, such as an assault rifle with Maliwan's elemental components, a Torgue ammo clip, and a Hyperion shield. Higher rarity weapons boast more parts, making the hunt for significant loot drops more vital than ever.
Borderlands 4 State of Play Gameplay Screenshots
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Story
The Borderlands 4 State of Play centers on two Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren and Rafa, an exosuit-wearing former Tediore soldier. Vex uses Siren abilities to summon beings for combat support, while Rafa crafts tools like Ark Knives for rapid enemy dismantling. The gameplay footage showcases the duo battling through the cold, expansive arenas of the Terminus Range, one of four zones on the planet Kairos.
Borderlands 4 continues the series' tradition of blending familiar faces with new ones. Returning characters like Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap appear, with hints of more to come about Lilith. New additions include the towering, armored Rush and the helpful robot Echo 4, who will accompany players throughout Borderlands 4, aiding in exploration through scanning, hacking, and guiding lost Vault Hunters to their next objectives.
Multiplayer
Borderlands 4 enhances the co-op experience with streamlined processes. Gearbox introduces "an improved lobby system," making it easier to join friends quickly. Crossplay is available at launch, ensuring personalized loot and dynamic level scaling across all platforms.
Customization within parties is further enhanced, allowing individual difficulty settings for each player. Split-screen couch co-op is available at launch, and a new feature enables fast travel to friends if someone gets lost.
Borderlands 4 also features a reduced chance for Legendary loot drops, dense new skill trees, and more. Players can choose between a quick revive or a temporary combat buff with Rep Kit gear, while Ordnances allow filling a cooldown weapons slot with either grenades or unique heavy weapons. Enhancements replace Artifacts, providing bonuses to guns from specific manufacturers.Borderlands 4 recently moved up its release date on PC via the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S by 11 days, from September 23 to September 12. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is slated for release later in the year.
Despite fan speculation, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford clarified that the date change has nothing to do with the long-awaited release of Take-Two Interactive’s Grand Theft Auto 6. Stay tuned for more details as Gearbox prepares to unveil further insights at its upcoming hands-on gameplay event in June.
