In 2025, Borderlands 4 seems to offer yet another round of familiar gameplay-a repetition that might not suffice.

(Un)veiling the Borderlands 4: Not a Credit-worthy Successor or Just an Initial Impression?

Borderlands, that groundbreaking game that revolutionized the looter-shooter genre way back when, appears to have lost its innovative spark in its successor, Borderlands 4. It's been over 13 years since Borderlands 2, and it seems like we're spinning our wheels rather than evolving.

The debut gameplay reveal of Borderlands 4 leaves us feeling underwhelmed. The game looks decent, no denying that – the loot glowing as it flies out of the enemies, triggering that looter-shooter craving. But there's a lack of freshness. Is this all Gearbox can introduce after six long years of work?

The standout highlights from the demo felt more like routine quality-of-life updates rather than game-changing features. Things like improved lobbies, instanced loot, or replaying boss fights are nothing new. And while new movement abilities like a jetpack and a grappling hook may seem exciting, they're just rehashes of what we've seen elsewhere in the gaming world.

Combat sequences featured the player jumping and sliding around frantically, but it's evident that such acrobatics aren't necessary, as fights still unfold similarly to before - with slow-moving, bullet-resistant adversaries and monotonous battlefield settings. Watching a character grapple-swing from one side of a tiny loading dock to another while enemies remain oblivious, as if the character could've simply run the distance, seems to suggest that Gearbox is falling short on dynamic combat.

We're presented with a brand-new planet that eerily resembles Pandora, fighting enemies that look suspiciously similar to those we've encountered before. It seems like every world harbors its band of mask-wearing bandits and infestation of winged beasties. The search for vault keys and missions involving Lilith persist, giving the impression that we're not exploring uncharted territory, but rather revisiting an old friend.

A seamless open-world map may be alluring, but the demo doesn't offer anything enticing to explore in this realm. As the footage guides us through icy plains, identical to the beginning of Borderlands 2, the developers enthusiastically discuss features like fast travel buttons and anonymous patrols.

We're promised a captivating narrative, yet what we're shown is just the same routine of sprinting and shooting while Ignoring pedestrian dialogue. The notable change this time? A "more grounded" tone, as per Pitchford. However, the surreal setting and hilarious adversaries suggest that this supposed shift is merely a rebranding effort of eliminating outdated memes, hardly constituting a significant change in style.

The game appears to be a mixture of tweaks and improvements to the Borderlands formula, but it doesn't seem to add up to much. At this stage in the preview cycle, developers should be hyping up the game's most exciting features, yet here we're getting excited about equipable medpacks and slightly altered skill trees.

It's certain that there'll be some nostalgic joy to be found here, but the prospect of another 100 hours of repetition, albeit prettier and more convenient, doesn't excite. This formula won't sustain the countless spin-offs and expansions we'll be seeing for years to come.

Borderlands 3 already felt like diminishing returns for the series, and with the disastrous movie fresh in our minds, a revitalizing release seems necessary for the franchise. If Borderlands 4 is that revitalizer, Gearbox needs to prove it before September. Otherwise, we're left with a less annoying version of what we already have. Is that enough to excite gamers in 2025?

Robin ValentineFormerly the editor of PC Gamer magazine (and the dearly departed GamesMaster), Robin blends years of experience in games journalism with a lifelong passion for PC gaming. First hypnotized by the screen's glow while navigating Simon the Sorcerer on his uncle's machine, he's been hooked ever since, devouring any RPG or strategy game that crosses his path. Now, he's channeling that devotion into filling this lovely website with features, news, reviews, and his sharpest insights.

Behind the Scenes.

Some argue that the lackluster impression of Borderlands 4 stems from a focus on refining rather than innovation. To set themselves apart in the competitive looter-shooter market, Gearbox has introduced several key features:

Loot System Revamps

Modular Gun Assembly: Guns now combine manufacturer-specific behaviors and abilities, offering unique combinations[1][5].
Augmentations: Gear comes equipped with manufacturer-specific enhancements that reward optimized loadouts with increased firepower[1].
Ordnance Swap: Replaces grenades/heavy weapons with cooldown-based ordnance for continuous access to heavy-hitting weapons[1].
Tactical Gear: Introduces a dedicated slot for healing items or temporary buffs, boosting combat flexibility[1].

Gameplay Mechanics Improvements

Advanced Movement: New traversal options like a Horizontal Glide enhance exploration in the open-world settings[3].
Echo 4 Companion: A robotic ally that assists with objectives, environmental scanning, and hacking reduces downtime between combat encounters[3].

Intuitive Party Formation: Streamlines party setup and management across various game modes[1][4].
Instanced Loot & Scaling: Ensures fair rewards for all players regardless of level difference, with adjustable difficulty settings to balance parties[1][4].
Two-Player Split-Screen: Returns, bolstered by enhanced online co-op options[4].

Narrative & World Design

Kairos Setting: A seamlessly explorable planet with four unique biomes, each populated by distinct factions and creatures[1][3].
Revised Tone: Shifts toward a narrative style closer to early series entries[3].

Character Progression

New Vault Hunters: Bring forth new playstyles, including Vex the Siren (summoner/ability enhancer) and Rafa the Exo-Soldier (firearms specialist)[3].
Recruitable Allies: NPCs encountered during the campaign can join the player’s party, offering more strategic choices[1].

Robin Valentine, a former editor known for his passion for PC gaming, expresses a concern about Borderlands 4 not living up to the original's innovative spirit.
To set itself apart in the looter-shooter market, Gearbox introduces a modular gun assembly system, augmentations, ordnance swap, and tactical gear in its loot system revamp.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, advanced movement features like the horizontal glide, an Echo 4 companion for assistance, and intuitive party formation are improvements announced.
Social play enhancements include streamlined party setup, instanced loot & scaling, and the return of two-player split-screen, plus online co-op options.
Borderlands 4 presents a Kairos setting with four biomes, a revised narrative tone, new Vault Hunters, and recruitable allies, all aiming to revitalize the franchise.
Despite numerous tweaks and improvements, the question remains: Will these changes be enough to excite fans in 2025 and ensure Borderlands 4 isn't just another repetitive season in the series.