Borderlands 4 Might Be the Series’ Biggest Genre Shift Yet

by

Summary

  • Borderlands 4 emphasizes RPG elements like deep skill trees and modular weapons to enhance player agency.
  • The game introduces a Licensed Parts system for unique loot drops, adding personalization to player weapon choices.
  • The new planet Kairos in Borderlands 4 offers a more RPG-like setting with exploration driven by player curiosity, not quest markers.

Essentially, Borderlands 4 appears to be striving hard to rejuvenate itself by elevating the series to new levels through fresh elements and enhancements it has been lacking. On one side, this drive for innovation is positive, given that Borderlands 4 might be the franchise’s final opportunity to explore new grounds, but on the other, there’s a risk of alienating devoted fans if changes become too drastic. However, it’s making substantial adjustments in an effort to reap rewards, with one of the major alterations being its genre.

Above all, the Borderlands game series is primarily known for being an action-packed first-person shooter that incorporates some role-playing game (RPG) elements. Features such as character advancement, skill sets, and a randomized loot system have given it a hint of RPG characteristics, but these aspects have always been less complex compared to conventional RPGs. However, it seems that Borderlands 4 is set to push the series’ RPG elements further, introducing more in-depth skill trees, customizable weapon systems, and greater freedom in exploration than ever before. Essentially, this new installment appears to fully embrace a genre that the series has only hinted at in the past.

The Borderlands Are Starting to Blur in Borderlands 4

Borderlands 4’s Skill Trees Are Built for RPG Fans

In a genuine RPG, personalizing skills is a significant aspect, and it appears that Borderlands 4 is following suit by offering the most detailed and flexible skill trees in the series to date. From what has been unveiled so far, particularly during the recent deep dive of Borderlands 4 in the State of Play, the upcoming game promises an extensive and varied array of abilities, providing players with a level of control over their character’s build and playstyle that is unparalleled.

Fundamentally, the Borderlands series is primarily about high-action first-person shooting gameplay, infused with role-playing game (RPG) features throughout.

In Borderlands 4, each playable character, or Vault Hunter, will possess three unique Action Skills. Each of these skills comes with its own branching skill tree, providing a multitude of passive abilities, upgrades, and final skills. This versatility empowers players to create tailor-made builds for their characters, offering an engaging experience for RPG enthusiasts. For example, Vex the Siren has a trait that modifies her Action Skill’s elemental impact based on the weapon she is using, fostering strategic decision-making when it comes to gameplay and weapon selection.

The Licensed Parts System Makes Loot More Player-Centric

In Borderlands 4, one of the notable enhancements is the introduction of the new Licensed Parts system. This system transforms regular loot drops into customizable weapon prototypes. Unlike previous games where weapons were exclusively from a single manufacturer, in Borderlands 4, you can find weapons that incorporate traits from various manufacturers. These traits include diverse firing modes, reload animations, and exclusive perks. As a result, players have an expanded range of choices when it comes to the weapons they acquire, adding a unique twist to their gaming experience compared to others, which is a hallmark trait of a well-designed RPG.

Kairos Could Be the Most RPG-Like Setting in the Franchise

In the end, the new planet in Borderlands 4, called Kairos, stands out as one of the most role-playing game (RPG)-like environments in the series. What sets Kairos apart is that it’s been crafted with player curiosity in mind. Typically, Borderlands games have provided linear locations that essentially lead players by the hand throughout their journey. In contrast, Kairos doesn’t rely on quest objectives and markers to guide players. Instead, players are primarily motivated by their own interests, as quests become available only after they explore an area, rather than requiring them to pick up quests beforehand. This design choice enhances the player’s agency in exploration and gameplay, making Borderlands 4 feel more like a true RPG experience.

If Borderlands 4 delivers on its plans, it might at last take a significant leap into a genre it has merely hinted at for years. With skill trees that foster more complex character builds, a loot system that appreciates player ingenuity, and an environment that reacts to exploration instead of linear progression, Borderlands 4 could signal the series’ most substantial genre transformation yet. Whether it reshapes the series for the future or just adds another dimension to its persona, Borderlands 4 is undeniably aiming for something larger than the norm.

Read More

2025-05-29 13:35