Gearbox Software has just concluded its exciting Borderlands 4 State of Play, unveiling an impressive 20 minutes of new gameplay and details for the eagerly awaited looter shooter. This presentation dives straight into the action, promising that the 2025 installment will be the studio's most immersive and refined experience yet. With major gameplay enhancements, from innovative traversal abilities to revamped loot drop mechanics, Gearbox packed the showcase with insights on how Borderlands 4 elevates the series with new features and revitalized classics. Here's a comprehensive look at all the key highlights.
Movement Abilities ------------------Each Borderlands game brings fresh traversal mechanics, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. The recent gameplay footage offers a sneak peek into the new tools players will wield upon the game's release in September. Vault hunters can now employ a Destiny-inspired midair hover, enabling them to shoot while airborne or reach distant ledges. Additionally, a versatile grappling hook enhances both combat and exploration, while a dash move facilitates those critical last-second evasions. Vehicles remain a staple, and in Borderlands 4, players have the freedom to summon their rides, including the new Digirunner, at any location.
Guns and Manufacturers
While previous showcases teased Vault Hunter traversal mechanics, the State of Play spotlighted the game's gun manufacturers. Eight companies will arm players in this adventure, introducing three new ones: Order, Ripper, and Daedalus. Each manufacturer boasts unique weapon designs and abilities. Borderlands 4 introduces the Licensed Parts System, a novel approach to gun mechanics. Now, weapons can incorporate parts from different manufacturers, like an assault rifle with Maliwan's elemental components, Torgue's ammo clip, and a Hyperion shield. Higher rarity weapons feature more parts, intensifying the thrill of hunting for top-tier loot.
Borderlands 4 State of Play Gameplay Screenshots
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Story
The Borderlands 4 State of Play follows two Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren and Rafa, a former Tediore soldier in an exosuit. Vex utilizes Siren powers to summon allies in battle, while Rafa crafts tools like Ark Knives for swift combat. The gameplay unfolds across the cold, expansive arenas of the Terminus Range, one of four zones on the planet Kairos. The narrative continues the tradition of blending familiar faces with new ones, with appearances from Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap, and hints about Lilith's role. New characters include the imposing Rush and the helpful robot Echo 4, which aids players throughout Borderlands 4 by scanning environments, hacking, and guiding Vault Hunters to their objectives.
Multiplayer
Gearbox has streamlined the co-op experience in Borderlands 4, introducing an improved lobby system for easier connections with friends. Crossplay will be available at launch, ensuring seamless play across platforms with personalized loot and dynamic level scaling. Customization extends to individual difficulty settings within parties. Split-screen couch co-op returns, and a new feature allows fast travel to join friends if someone gets lost.
Borderlands 4 also boasts a reduced chance for Legendary loot drops, dense new skill trees, and more. Players can choose between a quick revive and a temporary combat buff with Rep Kit gear, while Ordnances offer the choice between grenades and unique heavy weapons in a cooldown slot. Enhancements replace Artifacts, providing bonuses specific to manufacturer guns.Recently, Borderlands 4 advanced its release date by 11 days, moving 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 slated for later in the year. Despite fan speculation, Gearbox's Randy Pitchford clarified that the date shift is unrelated to the anticipated release of Take-Two Interactive's Grand Theft Auto 6. Stay tuned for more updates as Gearbox plans a hands-on gameplay event in June.
