Borderlands 4: Major Updates Revealed in New PlayStation Showcase

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Summary

  • Borderlands 4 is set to drop with many new features, returning characters, and a more grounded tone.
  • Gameplay reveal showcases new playable characters and their unique combat styles.
  • Co-op, traversal, and quality-of-life improvements make Borderlands 4 bigger, better, and more stylish.

Vault Hunters rejoice!

As a diehard fan, I can’t contain my excitement for the grand return of the looter-shooter genre! That’s right, we’re talking about Borderlands 4, which is slated to hit the shelves on September 12 this very year. Can’t wait!

In their announcement, Gearbox unveiled numerous new features for Borderlands 4 and provided an in-depth gameplay sneak peek, showcasing what a typical play session might entail, from the initial lobby to a climactic boss battle. Additionally, Founder Randy Pitchford hinted at a more realistic approach this time, as the previous installment faced criticisms regarding its humor.

In this gameplay, we see a confirmation that familiar faces like Mad Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and the ever-entertaining Claptrap are reappearing from earlier games. For this session, we’re introduced to two out of our four freshly minted playable vault hunters – the enigmatic Siren known as Vex, and a soldier in an exosuit named Rafa.

Vex has the ability to unleash energy attacks, boost himself, and even summon aid from minions during tough fights, whereas Rafa adopts a more straightforward strategy, brandishing virtual swords against his adversaries. Both characters have their unique skill sets, enabling you to tailor them to your preferred playstyle.

Did I mention Vex has a cat summon? And yes, you can pet it.

Check out the gameplay preview here for a taste of what’s to come:

Bigger, Better, and More Badass Than Ever:

So what’s different the fourth time around?

Initially, it’s important to note that if you’re considering delving into the borderlands with companions, cooperative play is undergoing significant transformations. Instead of a single campaign difficulty setting applying to your co-op gameplay, each participant will now have the freedom to select their preferred level of difficulty, catering to their desired level of challenge.

Instead of fretting over your buddies grabbing all the best loot, each player will receive their own personal treasure finds. Navigation has never been smoother as you can now effortlessly call for your vehicle on demand with just a button press, and also quickly teleport to your friends’ locations.

We also have a clear view of arguably one of the top mechanics in video games, which is none other than the grappling hook. You can swing from predetermined points across the map and snatch items from a distance, much like in Halo Infinite. This, along with the dash mechanic, gives combat a more strategic and cool feel, allowing you to fight according to your style and look absolutely badass while doing it.

It appears that the developers have significantly enhanced the movement mechanics in this game, making it necessary to strategize more when exploring the open world. Now, you’ll find yourself soaring through the air with gliding, scaling walls, and grappling hooks coming in handy for reaching your next goal safely.

Some more quick updates:

  • Two-player split-screen multiplayer returns for couch co-op gamers
  • Heal or buff yourself at will thanks to the “Rep Kit” consumable item
  • Ordnances let you equip a heavy gun, such as RPG’s and machine guns, without sacrificing an entire weapon slot
  • Scan environments with Echo 4 to reveal objective markers
  • Zipline up silos/air balloons and catch some serious airtime, similar to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s skyview towers
  • The higher the rarity, the more chances to receive multiple manufacturer-specific mods in one gun

In summary, I was taken aback by the considerable amount of fresh features integrated into the game, along with enhancements aimed at improving my overall gaming experience in Borderlands, my upcoming adventure.

As September draws near, I’m eagerly anticipating the opportunity to join my companions and explore personally the progress made by this series. Fingers crossed that it avoids the common annoyances often associated with the looter-shooter genre.

Happy looting!

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2025-05-01 17:41