Borderlands 4 April 2025 State of Play: All Announcements

Gearbox Software recently concluded its Borderlands 4 State of Play, unveiling an exciting 20 minutes of new gameplay and details for the highly anticipated looter shooter set to launch in 2025. The presentation dives straight into the action, promising that this latest entry in the series will be the studio's most polished and immersive experience yet, with significant gameplay changes ranging from new traversal abilities to revamped loot drop systems.

The 20-minute showcase was packed with insights into how Borderlands 4 elevates the series with fresh mechanics and enhanced features. Here are the key highlights:

**Movement Abilities** ------------------

Each Borderlands game brings something new to the table in terms of traversal mechanics, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. The recent gameplay footage provided a clearer picture of what players can expect when the game releases in September. Vault Hunters will now enjoy a Destiny-like midair hover, allowing them to shoot while airborne or reach distant ledges. Additionally, a versatile grappling hook enhances both combat and exploration, while a dash ability facilitates last-second evasions. Vehicles remain a cornerstone of the experience, with players now able to spawn their rides, including the new Digirunner, at any location.

Guns and Manufacturers

While previous showcases touched on Vault Hunter traversal mechanics, today's State of Play spotlighted the game's gun manufacturers. Borderlands 4 introduces eight companies, three of which—Order, Ripper, and Daedalus—are new to the franchise. Each manufacturer offers unique weapon designs and abilities. The game also introduces the innovative Licensed Parts System, enabling guns to be composed of parts from various manufacturers. For instance, players might find an assault rifle with elemental components from Maliwan, an ammo clip from Torgue, and a shield from Hyperion. Rarer weapons feature more parts, intensifying the hunt for top-tier loot.

Borderlands 4 State of Play Gameplay Screenshots

View 17 ImagesStory

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 powers to summon allies in battle, while Rafa crafts tools like Ark Knives for quick enemy takedowns. The showcased gameplay features the duo navigating the cold, expansive arenas of the Terminus Range, one of four explorable zones on the planet Kairos.

The narrative will blend familiar faces with new characters. Returning favorites like Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap make appearances, with hints of more to come about Lilith. New additions include Rush, a towering armored figure, and Echo 4, a helpful robot companion that assists with scanning, hacking, and guiding players to their next objectives throughout the game.

Multiplayer

Borderlands 4 enhances the co-op experience with a streamlined lobby system and improved joining mechanics. Crossplay will be available at launch, ensuring seamless play across platforms with instanced loot and dynamic level scaling. Party customization is taken to the next level with individual difficulty settings for each player. Split-screen couch co-op will be available from day one, complemented by a new feature allowing players to fast travel to their friends if they get separated.

*Borderlands 4* also introduces a lower chance for Legendary loot drops, alongside dense new skill trees and additional gameplay elements. Rep Kit gear offers choices between quick revives and temporary combat buffs, while Ordnances allow players to equip either grenades or unique heavy weapons in a cooldown slot. Enhancements replace Artifacts, providing bonuses to guns from specific manufacturers.

The release date for Borderlands 4 on PC via the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S has been moved up by 11 days, now set for September 12 instead of September 23. A version for the Nintendo Switch 2 is slated for later in the year.

Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford clarified that the release date adjustment is unrelated to the much-anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 by Take-Two Interactive. Fans can look forward to more details as Gearbox plans a hands-on gameplay event in June.