Borderlands 4 April 2025 Reveal: All Announcements

Gearbox Software recently concluded its Borderlands 4 State of Play, offering 20 minutes of new gameplay and details for fans eagerly awaiting this highly anticipated looter shooter. The presentation dives straight into the action, assuring that the 2025 installment is set to be the studio’s most engaging and grounded experience yet, featuring significant gameplay changes. From innovative traversal abilities to revamped loot drop formulas, Gearbox packed the 20-minute showcase with exciting reveals about how Borderlands 4 will elevate the series with new mechanics and refreshed features. Below, you'll find all the key highlights.

### Movement Abilities ------------------

Each Borderlands game introduces new traversal mechanics, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. Previous showcases hinted at new tools for players, but the latest gameplay footage provided a clearer picture of what to expect. Vault hunters can now utilize a Destiny-inspired midair hover, allowing them to shoot while in the air or reach distant ledges. Additionally, a grappling hook enhances both combat and exploration, while a new dash ability enables last-second evasive maneuvers. Vehicles remain a core element, with players now able to spawn their rides, including the new Digirunner, at any location.

Guns and Manufacturers

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While earlier showcases focused on traversal mechanics, the recent State of Play highlighted the gun manufacturers. Borderlands 4 introduces eight companies, including three new ones: Order, Ripper, and Daedalus, each bringing unique weapon designs and abilities. The game pushes the envelope further with the Licensed Parts System, allowing guns to be assembled from parts sourced from different manufacturers. For instance, an assault rifle might feature elemental components from Maliwan, a Torgue-made ammo clip, and a Hyperion shield. With higher rarity weapons boasting more parts, the pursuit of legendary loot becomes even more thrilling.

Borderlands 4 State of Play Gameplay Screenshots

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Story

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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 creatures for combat support, while Rafa crafts tools like Ark Knives for swift enemy takedowns. The showcased gameplay sees them navigating the cold, expansive arenas of the Terminus Range, one of four zones on the planet Kairos.

The game continues the tradition of encountering familiar characters while introducing new ones. Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap make appearances, with hints of more to come about Lilith. New characters include the towering, armored Rush and the helpful robot Echo 4. Echo 4 will accompany players throughout Borderlands 4, assisting with exploration through environmental scanning, hacking, and guiding lost Vault Hunters to their next objective.

Multiplayer

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Borderlands 4 aims to enhance the co-op experience with a streamlined process. Gearbox has introduced "an improved lobby system," making it easier to join friends quickly. Crossplay will be available at launch, ensuring all loot is instanced per player and featuring dynamic level scaling for a seamless multiplayer experience across platforms.

Customization extends to individual difficulty settings within parties, catering to varied player preferences. Split-screen couch co-op will be available from launch, along with a feature allowing players to fast travel to their friends if someone gets lost.

Borderlands 4 also introduces a lower chance for Legendary loot drops, new dense skill trees, and innovative gear like Rep Kits, which offer a choice between quick revives and temporary combat buffs. Ordnances allow players to equip either grenades or unique heavy weapons in a cooldown slot, while Enhancements replace Artifacts, granting bonuses to guns from specific manufacturers.

Borderlands 4 has recently moved up its release date by 11 days, now set for September 12 on PC via the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is expected later in the year.

Despite fan speculation, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford clarified that this schedule change is not related to the long-awaited release of Take-Two Interactive’s Grand Theft Auto 6. Stay tuned for more updates on Borderlands 4, including details on the upcoming hands-on gameplay event scheduled for June.