Borderlands 4 April 2025 State of Play: All Announcements

Gearbox Software recently concluded its Borderlands 4 State of Play, showcasing an exciting 20 minutes of new gameplay and details from their much-anticipated looter shooter. The presentation kicked off with action-packed sequences, promising that the 2025 release will be the studio's most engaging and grounded experience to date. Gearbox revealed significant gameplay enhancements, including new traversal mechanics and an updated loot system, making the 20-minute showcase a treasure trove of information for fans eager to delve into the latest from the Borderlands universe.

Each Borderlands game introduces fresh ways to navigate its expansive worlds, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. The latest gameplay footage provided a clearer picture of the innovative movement options players will enjoy upon the game's release in September. Vault hunters will now be able to utilize a midair hover reminiscent of Destiny, allowing for shooting while airborne and reaching distant ledges. Additionally, a grappling hook enhances both combat and exploration, while a new dash feature offers last-second evasion. Vehicles remain a crucial element, with the ability to spawn them, including the new Digirunner, at any location.

Guns and Manufacturers

While previous showcases highlighted Vault Hunter traversal, the recent State of Play focused on the diverse arsenal provided by eight gun manufacturers, introducing three new ones: Order, Ripper, and Daedalus. Each brings unique designs and abilities to the table. Borderlands 4 innovates further with the Licensed Parts System, allowing weapons to combine parts from various manufacturers. For example, an assault rifle might feature elemental components from Maliwan, an ammo clip from Torgue, and a shield from Hyperion. The higher the rarity of a weapon, the more parts it includes, intensifying the thrill of hunting for legendary loot.

Borderlands 4 State of Play Gameplay Screenshots

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The State of Play centered on 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 to swiftly dismantle foes. Their journey takes them through the cold, expansive arenas of the Terminus Range on the planet Kairos, one of four zones to explore. The narrative weaves familiar faces like Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap with new characters such as the imposing Rush and the helpful robot Echo 4, who aids players in exploration and navigation throughout the game.

Multiplayer

Co-op enthusiasts will appreciate Gearbox's efforts to enhance the multiplayer experience in Borderlands 4. The game introduces an improved lobby system and seamless crossplay at launch, ensuring players can easily join friends across platforms. Loot remains instanced, and dynamic level scaling allows for flexible gameplay with friends of any level. Additionally, players can customize their difficulty settings independently, and split-screen couch co-op will be available from day one. Fast travel to friends' locations further streamlines the co-op journey.

Borderlands 4 also introduces a reduced chance for Legendary loot drops, new dense skill trees, and innovative gear options. Players can choose between a quick revive or a temporary combat buff with Rep Kit gear, while Ordnances offer the choice between grenades or unique heavy weapons. Enhancements replace Artifacts, granting bonuses specific to guns from certain 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, from September 23 to September 12. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is slated for release later in the year. Despite fan speculation, Gearbox's Randy Pitchford clarified that this schedule change is unrelated to the anticipated release of Take-Two Interactive's Grand Theft Auto 6. Stay tuned for more details as Gearbox plans a hands-on gameplay event in June.