Initial release date: September 12, 2025
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows
Developer: Gearbox Software
Series: Borderlands
License: proprietary license
Composer: Finishing Move Inc.
Genres: First-person shooter, Role-playing video game, Adventure game, Platform game, Adventure
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Best Borderlands since Borderlands 2
- Vex and Trouble were very fun and useful in solo
- Plenty of Post Campaign activities
- Hit a few difficulty walls in the story since I rushed through
- Played a few side missions
- Humor is back!
- Plenty of old Borderland faces return
- Timekeeper is a good antagonist
- So much replayability
- Great visuals and art
- Technically decent on base PS5
- Loot was good
- Golds were rare in first playthrough
- Some guns were fun
- Boss fights were a blast
- Writing was good
- Story was good for a Borderlands game
- Gameplay is solid
Introduction
I beaten Borderlands, Borderlands 2 (the best one) Borderlands 3, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel and now Borderlands 4. I enjoy Borderlands throughout it’s ups and downs. Hell, I even watched the movie a few times while playing through Borderlands 4 which was dookie water.
Borderlands 4 whether it’s a big success or not is a great game and “back” after the lackluster Borderlands 3 which I wasn’t a big fan of. Borderlands to me is gunplay, loot and humor which Borderlands 4 nailed for the most part.
Presentation
Borderlands 4 has a great presentation and it ran well, played really good from a gunplay aspect. Menus always get convoluted to navigate however. Visually this is hands down the best Borderlands due to it being current gen only. The writing and humor was a big step up compared to Borderlands 3.
I played solo as Vex and completed all of the main story missions. I had a few minor bugs and dropped connections but nothing worth docking the score over in my opinion. Sound design and music were good which helped Kairos become NOT Pandora.
Story
You play as a vault hunter, in my case Vex who is captured by the Timekeeper at the start of the game who’s the main antagonist and controller or all beings and ruler of the planet Kairos which Borderlands 4 takes place on.
Along with Claptrap, and helping fellow resistance fighters across Kairos Vex finally rescues Lilith in hopes of defeating the Timekeeper who was actually sent to Kairos to control it as punishment. The story was okay paired with it’s really entertaining writing made the story good for a Borderlands game.
Gameplay
Borderlands 4 is a first person looter shooter open world video game that you can play solo and or in coop. I played solo as Vex the siren with her minion Trouble. Loot and leveling up seemed more methodical compared to Borderlands 3 which i appreciated.
The boss fights involving Kairos’ leaders lead by The Timekeeper were all fun and challenging. As a player there is so much fun content to partake in on Kairos from completing side missions, doing Silo runs for Vault keys, collecting bounties or just unlocking safe houses across the world. There is always something fun to do in Borderlands 4.
Visuals
I played Borderlands 4 on my base Playstation 5 and it’s easily the best looking and running Borderlands game I played to date. More effects, more textures better lighting are all of display on planet Kairos. I always enjoyed the art style of Borderlands so that’s always a bonus from a visual perspective.
Sound
Voice acting and sound design were solid. However the sound design could be hit or miss while in Echo chats while blasting monsters simultaneously. The voice acting and writing really steal the show. I also like some of the music in Borderlands 4. Just sayin.
Borderlands 4: Borderlands is back and better than ever. No it's not better than Borderlands 2. Borderlands 4 is a great Borderlands in it's own right. The writing, loot, gunplay, humor are here and never get's old. – Jason
