Things Confirmed for Borderlands 4

The long-awaited fourth edition of Gearbox’s thrilling, disorderly looter-shooter series is now here, brimming with fresh details and tantalizing disclosures. Although some revelations, such as the seemingly high cost of Borderlands 4, have elicited mixed reactions, the response has generally been enthusiastic within the Borderlands 4 community.

It’s quite clear, considering all the fascinating aspects – from the massive, colorful realm of Kairos under its oppressive leader, to the unique weapon system made up of company-specific components (and innovative manufacturers). Given its improvements, enhancements, and fresh takes on the formula, Borderlands 4 seems ready to offer the most thrilling, unforgettable Vault-hunting experience yet – with the following confirmed details taking center stage.

11. Kairos: The Epic New Planetary Setting

Ruled By The Timekeeper And His Synthetic Minions

In this upcoming fourth installment of the mainline BL series, we can expect some similarities to Borderlands 3 while simultaneously refining the narrative by centering around a single, massive and diverse planet like Pandora. The primary setting for this game is the colorful world of Kairos, which comes into view following Elpis’ teleportation into its orbit.

The revelation introduces a sinister new character called the Timekeeper, set on this planet. This world boasts several vast areas, or “mega zones”, which flow smoothly (without loading). These expansive territories will contain smaller sub-regions and offer a sense of depth with their vertical layout. Furthermore, these regions will host an intricate weather system, aiming to create a lively environment.

10. Bosses Are Larger And More Dynamic Than Ever

…And Easier To Return To

From the video evidence available so far, it appears that the game’s bosses are going to be bigger and more intricate than before, featuring multiple stages, distinctive vulnerabilities, and aspects that promote cooperative play.

It appears that boss battles might extend, but Gearbox is planning to introduce an adjustment called the Moxxi’s Encore Machine. This feature will enable players to easily replay defeated bosses instantly, without having to journey far or load previous saves. Consequently, farming for bosses becomes quicker and more efficient.

It’s said that players can easily access previously finished story missions and play through them again, just like before.

9. A Darker, More Serious Tone

…Though Subtle Comedy Will Remain

One unique and entertaining aspect of the Borderlands series is its frequent use of quirky, outrageous humor, which many believe reached its height in the second main game. However, while Borderlands 4 appears to preserve some degree of comedic elements (as Claptrap will be returning), this new installment aims to adopt a grittier, more somber atmosphere overall.

The company, Gearbox, has pointed out that they will reduce or eliminate the excessive use of “toilet humor” and internet memes. However, it appears that the existing humor in the content will take on a more sophisticated and subtle form.

8. A (Relatively) Steeper Price

Will Fans Find It Worth The Apparent Higher Price Tag?

The CEO of Gearbox, Randy Pitchford, has stirred up some controversy with his remark about dedicated fans locating a means to buy the latest, potentially expensive (ranging from $70 to $80) BL game he mentioned.

Although he’s since made it clear by presenting a less aggressive, more understandable viewpoint, the idea that Borderlands 4 might come with a relatively high price tag has led many to move from cautious optimism to doubt and reluctance when considering whether to invest in this upcoming sequel.

7. Revamped Navigation System

Convoluted Mini-Maps Are Out, Streamlined Navigation Is In

In earlier Borderlands games, the minimap function had mixed success – it helped navigation but sometimes increased confusion due to the complex layouts in BL3. For the sequel, Gearbox appears to acknowledge the growing complexity of this feature and has opted for a more straightforward compass similar to the original Borderlands instead.

In addition, you’ll encounter a fresh robot ally called Echo-4, modeled after the character Dahl. This helpful AI will guide players through the vast game environment by marking out paths to important locations and even assisting in the collection of quest rewards.

6. New And Refined Movement Abilities

Adding More Depth And Potential To Environmental Traversal

As a die-hard fan of the Borderlands series, I can vouch for its adrenaline-pumping gunplay that never seems to end. However, some might argue that it falls short in terms of environment depth and interaction. But fear not, fellow gamers! Gearbox is stepping up their game by enriching Kairos with a wider variety of dynamic terrain, structures, and a greater emphasis on verticality, promising a more immersive gaming experience overall.

With fresh features like wall scaling, soaring, and hookshot-like grappling, this upcoming shooter is designed to evoke feelings similar to action, exploration, and even platforming adventures. For a smoother experience, the game will not include fall damage.

5. Streamlined Co-Op

Greater Multiplayer Focus And QoL

One engaging feature of Borderlands lies in its exciting cooperative gameplay, and this new installment appears to build upon that aspect even more. Players have the freedom to join or leave at any moment, adjust the challenge level based on their skills and levels when battling enemies, receive unique rewards, and quickly travel to each other’s locations.

Two-player split-screen returns here, as well as four-player online co-op.

4. Loot, Combat, and Weaponry Changes

…Especially Grenades And Heavy Arms

In the upcoming game BL4, there will be significant updates to the loot and weaponry systems. This revision will make legendary and rarer items less frequent, which should create a more satisfying experience when they are obtained. Additionally, this change may result in stronger Legendary items being produced.

Grenades and heavier weaponry will be kept in a special compartment to prevent excessive usage, with a delay or cool-down period in between uses. Furthermore, there’s an innovative medical kit or stimpack, which offers health enhancements — and could potentially provide elemental advantages later on.

…And Three New Gun Manufacturers

Besides fan favorites such as Jakobs and Torgue, there are also some fresh brands emerging. Among them are the rugged, Bandit-esque Ripper, adaptable Daedalus, and energy weapon brand Order.

In this game, players can gather weapons composed of distinct manufacturer components, resulting in the combined power of various brands (for example, a gun that is not only explosive but also rapid-fire, reminiscent of Jakobs’ style). The upcoming system for upgrading weapons will be a unified one, integrating “Enhancements” to replace Anointments, Artifacts, and Relics from previous games.

3. Elaborate Vault Dungeons

Vault Dungeon Crawling?

At present, specifics are still unclear, but Gearbox has mentioned that the Vault system is set to undergo a transformation in BL4. From what we’ve seen in recent gameplay clips, players will likely be required to gather Vault Fragments, which could function as quest items or keys for opening Vaults, allowing them to loot their contents.

Instead of being just a single large space, the vaults are said to be undergoing renovations, transforming into vast underground chambers filled with assorted treasures.

2. A Slew Of Distinct New Vault Hunters

With Larger Skill Trees, And Distinct (Yet Some Familiar) Traits

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that alongside the comeback of beloved characters such as Zane, Moxxi, and Amara, Gearbox Software is introducing a fresh batch of Vault Hunters – each one boasting intricate skill trees brimming with active and passive bonuses, and unique strengths and weaknesses tailored to their class.

The freshly introduced characters are: Vex the Siren, Amon the Forgeknight, Harlowe the Gravitar, and Rafa the Exo-Warrior. Although Vex belongs to a familiar character class for fans, the other three seem to stand out in their uniqueness – however, Rafa the Exo-Warrior shares some resemblance with the Operative/Commando type.

2025-06-05 12:37