Borderlands 4 Review: New Vault Hunters and Skill Trees Are Some of the Best Yet

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The long-awaited launch of Borderlands 4 is nearly six years since the last game in the series, making it one of the longest gaps between releases for fans. Interestingly, Borderlands 4 comes at a crucial juncture for the franchise as Gearbox aims to win back those who found Borderlands 3 less appealing while continuing the successful looter shooter formula that has sustained the IP for over 15 years. Generally speaking, Borderlands 4 delivers well by emphasizing the fundamental features that keep fans coming back for each new installment. However, its efforts to distance itself from the divisive Borderlands 3 have varying results.

In a more straightforward and conversational style, the statement could read: Compared to Borderlands 3, Borderlands 4 offers a significantly improved writing, character development, and plot. It leans more towards the original Borderlands in tone within the series, which makes it a better game overall. However, while trying to reposition the franchise post-Borderlands 3, some top-tier endgame content from the third entry has been scaled back in Borderlands 4. Yet, there are impressive new features that seasoned players will appreciate, particularly those who play every installment multiple times with various Vault Hunters, as they’ll find a lot to look forward to, especially in this latest release.

In essence, Borderlands 4 could potentially surpass Borderlands 2 as the top game in the series, showing that Gearbox’s return to the franchise fundamentals has been successful. The campaign offers an engaging, well-paced storyline and introduces the most compelling villain since Handsome Jack. Furthermore, it boasts the most user-friendly (and least aggravating) map system the Borderlands series has ever seen. Although its endgame starts off strongly but loses some momentum due to limited content at launch, Gearbox’s plans to expand and enhance this aspect of the game ensures that players will have plenty to enjoy in the coming future. As a result, Borderlands 4 presents a solid value proposition that series fans should generally find satisfying.

For Better and For Worse, Borderlands 4 Leaves Borderlands 3 in the Series’ Rearview

For those who found the excessive humor and questionable characters of Borderlands 3 off-putting, you might be pleased to know that Borderlands 4 seems to make an effort to distance itself from its predecessor’s narrative missteps. Although there are allusions to past events dating back six years, they serve primarily as a foundation for the main cast’s journey away from Pandora and onto Kairos, the new location of Borderlands 4.

A notable change in this installment is the introduction of a captivating science fiction narrative that ties into the broader Borderlands universe, while still standing as a largely independent story. The antagonist, The Timekeeper, introduces genuine tension and high stakes to the game, enhancing its overall appeal.

Centuries before the occurrences depicted in Borderlands 4, an entity known as The Timekeeper arrived on the planet Kairos and stumbled upon a Vault, granting him time-manipulating abilities and ruling supreme over the entire world. Utilizing this power, The Timekeeper transformed Kairos into a vast prison, with himself at its core, ruling as the warden of the infamous Ascension Tower. A fresh group of Vault Hunters, on a quest to uncover the mythical treasures hidden within Kairos’ vault, eventually arrive and, inevitably, chaos ensues. The player’s chosen character must forge alliances with the inhabitants of Kairos in a desperate attempt to overthrow The Timekeeper’s oppressive rule and claim the prized Vault at its center.

Many gamers approaching Borderlands 4 may feel that they primarily play these games for action, rather than the storyline. However, Gearbox has delivered an engaging sci-fi narrative, intriguing supporting characters, and a villain as captivating as Handsome Jack, which adds to the game’s appeal. As for the humor that Borderlands is known for, some find it divisive, but in Borderlands 4, it has been dialed back from the series’ peak in Borderlands 3. The humor in Borderlands 3 that once seemed overly exaggerated can now bring about genuine laughter in Borderlands 4. Still, if you haven’t enjoyed the humor of the Borderlands series in the past, there will still be plenty to find frustrating.

As a die-hard fan of the Borderlands series, I must admit that while I applaud the innovative story and tonal shifts in Borderlands 4, it’s disappointing to see some gameplay elements from Borderlands 3 being left on the chopping block. The endgame of Borderlands 3 was a highlight for me, offering some of the franchise’s finest post-campaign activities that made the journey even more thrilling. Unfortunately, Borderlands 4 seems to be abandoning all of that in favor of a more streamlined approach, which, at least initially, doesn’t quite live up to the excitement level of its predecessor.

I get why Gearbox is trying to create a “return to form” by discarding aspects that players didn’t enjoy about Borderlands 3. However, it’s a bit sad to see some genuinely good elements being discarded in the process, like throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

The 4 New Vault Hunters and Skill Trees in Borderlands 4 Are Some of the Best Yet

In every new installment of the Borderlands series, there’s a consistent pattern of introducing 4 (or more) new playable characters, known as Vault Hunters, for players to join in their adventure through the game’s campaign and beyond. Borderlands 4 certainly lives up to expectations with an impressive array of playable characters since Borderlands 2, featuring Rafa the Exosolider, Vex the Siren, Amon the Forgeknight, and Harlowe the Gravitar. These characters are a blast to play, each one as enjoyable as the next.

Although these characters generally stick to their typical roles within the Borderlands gameplay dynamics, Borderlands 4 manages to set them apart with distinct kits that offer unique Action Skills. This diversity allows for some truly creative build possibilities, especially once players have completed the campaign and ventured into the Ultimate Vault Hunter endgame mode.

Following my experimentation with the Prologue for the first four Vault Hunters, I found myself gravitating towards Rafa. His character felt like a blend of Roland from Borderlands and Zero from Borderlands 2. As an Exosoldier, Rafa’s Action Skills were connected to the robotic exoskeleton on his body, giving me three options: Arc-Knives, Peacebreaker Cannons, or APOPHIS Lance. Each had its advantages based on different playstyles, but I consistently chose the Peacebreaker Cannons – these shoulder-mounted turrets boast precise accuracy and last longer after scoring critical hits. This decision never regretted. Not only does Rafa receive an inherent bonus to any shock or caustic damage, but his skill tree also offers additional bonuses. This combination offered a clear path to victory on the battlefield in Borderlands 4’s campaign that was incredibly enjoyable to pursue.

In Borderlands 4, there were several possible ways to develop Rafa’s build paths, focusing on just one of his three unique abilities. The skill trees in Borderlands 4 are remarkably well-designed, offering both a steep power progression and versatility, making it seldom feel like you’ve wasted a skill point or failed to notice an instant increase in power upon allocating one.

For the first time in the series, Borderlands 4 allows players to bypass the campaign entirely once completed, enabling them to start afresh with a new Vault Hunter who instantly reaches level 30 and dives straight into the Ultimate Vault Hunter endgame mode. This setup presents an ideal playground for players eager to experiment with new and engaging builds across all four Vault Hunter classes.

Experiencing the growth of a Vault Hunter as their skill trees mold combat is one of the most rewarding aspects of the Borderlands series, and this aspect has been beautifully emphasized in Borderlands 4.

Borderlands 4 Nails the Series’ Formula by Sticking to the Fundamentals

In addition to the major, thrilling enhancements that Borderlands 4 offers to the fundamental gameplay mechanics and progression structure of the series, it surprisingly also incorporates numerous smaller quality-of-life improvements that are greatly appreciated. To start off, the map in Borderlands 4 is significantly better than the almost illegible layout found in Borderlands 3, making traversing from one end of the world to another a much more pleasurable experience compared to past installments. This enhanced navigational ease is complemented by a significantly upgraded vehicle and driving system that makes getting in and out of vehicles, as well as speeding across the open-world of Kairos, far more enjoyable than it’s ever been on Pandora.

Experiencing the real-life theft and violence is quite thrilling, I must say. Each gun has its unique feel due to differences between types and manufacturers, making it an exhilarating experience that rarely grows old. Interestingly, from levels 20 to 30, I accumulated a vast amount of purple-hued loot, giving me a plethora of enticing new weapons to select. Unfortunately, this pool of loot seemed to run dry as soon as I reached level 30 and was nearing the end of the campaign. However, once I entered Ultimate Vault Hunter mode and truly embarked on the endgame, Legendary items started dropping at an astonishing rate.

In a different words, Borderlands 4 prioritizes fun and doesn’t miss an opportunity to deliver it in abundance, much like a torrent of colorful loot. If you’re planning on playing this new installment with friends, I can assure you that the co-op experience in Borderlands 4 remains as enjoyable as ever, reaching the same peak of multiplayer enjoyment as Borderlands 2 while also maintaining an appropriate balance of enemy difficulty based on the number of players.

In our playtime of Borderlands 4, we exclusively used a PC setup. Prior to its release, we encountered very few problems with the pre-launch build. Although some users have already mentioned occasional crashes or poor performance, our gaming session was generally smooth, with only minor hiccups like occasional slowdowns during respawning or while traveling through the open world on a vehicle. It’s worth noting that the PC we used to play Borderlands 4 exceeded the game’s recommended system requirements, so potential players should carefully evaluate if their setup is capable of running the game efficiently.

Additions to Borderlands 4’s Endgame and Movement Will Make it Harder to Revisit Past Entries

It’s fair to say that the release of Borderlands 4 significantly enhances the gaming experience compared to earlier entries in the series, making it challenging for players to return to them. The game introduces numerous new features and improvements, but what truly sets it apart is its innovative traversal mechanics such as a grapple hook, double jump, and jetpack. These additions not only make moving around more enjoyable but also allow the game’s level designers to create intricate vertical environments that resemble platforming elements found in games like Destiny 2 during boss fights. Consequently, Borderlands 4 incorporates elements of movement shooters, and it’s safe to say that this change is here to stay.

In addition, the option to bypass Borderlands 4’s campaign is intriguing. Although it’s enjoyable to dive right into the endgame with a new Vault Hunter, the game’s campaign is so engaging that skipping it feels like you’re missing out on something special. Nevertheless, for players who enjoy progressing through a Borderlands game to reach the endgame and focus on specific builds, Borderlands 4 offers features that could make revisiting previous games less appealing. Essentially, Borderlands 4 delivers more of what fans love about the series, yet its understanding of the franchise’s essence is so profound that it feels like the best the series has offered in over a decade.

Skipping Borderlands 4’s campaign might be tempting due to the opportunity to start right away at the endgame with a new Vault Hunter, but the game’s campaign is so compelling that missing out on it feels like a loss. For those who enjoy progressing through the series to reach the endgame and build their characters, Borderlands 4 offers features that make going back to earlier games less enticing. Ultimately, Borderlands 4 captures the spirit of the franchise better than any game in over a decade, making it an exceptional addition to the series.

In simple terms, “Borderlands 4” will be available for purchase starting September 12, 2025, for computers (PC), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S consoles. The Nintendo Switch 2 version is planned to come out on October 3, 2025. For this review, Game Rant received a PC access code.

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2025-09-11 15:41