Borderlands 4: Key Details and Updates on the Next Installation of the Iconic Looter Shooter

Gearbox is gearing up to unveil Borderlands 4, the latest edition in its highly successful franchise. Following a six-year hiatus since the release of Borderlands 3, fans have also seen spin-offs like Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands and the less impactful New Tales from the Borderlands, both of which debuted in 2021.

In this article, we’ll delve into everything that has emerged from the developers since the game’s announcement at Gamescom 2024.

Release Date, Platforms, Pricing, and Editions

Following its initial announcement in February, Gearbox revealed that Borderlands 4 will hit the shelves on September 12, moved up from its original date of September 23. Many speculated this adjustment was influenced by publisher Take-Two Interactive due to the anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto VI, which was expected in Fall 2025. However, Gearbox president Randy Pitchford clarified that the date change had no connection to GTA VI, a claim supported shortly after when Rockstar announced the game’s delay to May 26, 2026.

The game will be available on multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Notably, early access versions for premium editions will not be available, though these editions will come with numerous bonuses.

The pricing structure is as follows:

Standard Edition: $69.99
Deluxe Edition: $99.99 – Includes the Firehawk’s Fury Weapon Skin and the Bounty Pack Bundle, which features:

4 unique areas with new missions and bosses
4 Vault Cards offering unique challenges and rewards
New gear and weapons
Exclusive Vault Hunter cosmetics
4 new vehicles with customized aesthetics

Super Deluxe Edition: $129.99 – Further includes:

Ornate Order Pack: 4 Vault Hunter Skins, Heads, and Bodies
Vault Hunter Pack: Includes:

2 new playable Vault Hunters
2 new Story Packs with distinct missions
2 novel map regions
Fresh gear and weapons
Exclusive Vault Hunter cosmetics
New ECHO-4 cosmetic options

Pre-orders for any edition will grant access to the Gilded Glory Pack, which contains a Vault Hunter Skin, an ECHO-4 Drone Skin, and a unique Weapon Skin.

Genre, Setting, and Story Overview

Known as the progenitor of the looter shooter genre, Borderlands 4 remains true to its roots, but takes a fresh approach in its narrative.

This new entry transitions away from the iconic planet Pandora, focusing instead on the aftermath of Borderlands 3. Here, Lilith utilizes her Siren abilities to transport the moon Elpis, inadvertently bringing chaos to the planet Kairos by obliterating its protective barrier, revealing it after ages in secrecy.

Under the oppressive regime of The Timekeeper, Kairos faces unrest as the arrival of Elpis spurs rebellion. Players will step into the shoes of a Vault Hunter, tasked with spearheading the resistance while pursuing various alien artifacts. Notably, while the beloved franchise humor will persist in side quests, the main storyline will adopt a more serious tone reflecting the themes of dictatorship and oppression.

Gameplay Mechanics

As with its predecessors, Borderlands 4 emphasizes shooting and looting, but introduces a range of enhancements that promise a fresh experience. The map is touted as the largest and most seamless in the series, encouraging players to explore various environments freely. Enhanced verticality provides opportunities for climbing, grappling, and gliding, along with new movement features such as dashing and double jumping.

To facilitate exploration, a Bethesda-style compass replaces the traditional mini-map from earlier entries, though Gearbox remains open to incorporating a mini-map in future updates based on community feedback. Dynamic weather and events will add to the immersive experience, and players can commandeer vehicles for swift navigation across the expansive world.

New combat features include an ordnance slot that merges grenades and heavy weapons, like rocket launchers, which can be utilized until their ammo runs out. Following depletion, these weapons will undergo a cooldown period, after which they become available again. Additionally, players will find new repair kits capable of restoring health and boosting elemental damage, fire rate, and mobility.

At launch, players can select from four distinct characters:

Vex the Siren: A survivor molded by adversity, she possesses a cynical edge. Despite her demeanor, a spark of altruism drives her to confront oppressive forces.
Rafa the Exo-Soldier: Modified through military service in microgravity, he now seeks freedom while striving to embrace whatever life remains.
Harlowe the Gravitar: Her insatiable curiosity fuels her battles as she applies her expertise as a former combat scientist to assist her team.
Amon the Forgeknight: Survivor of tragedy, he channels his experiences into a quest against monstrous beings, offering poetic insights from his journey.

Furthermore, at least two additional playable characters are slated for introduction post-launch. As has been customary in the series, Borderlands 4 will support cooperative gameplay for up to four players, allowing cross-platform interaction.

Technical Specifications

Utilizing the powerhouse Unreal Engine 5, Gearbox assures fans that Nintendo Switch 2 boasts sufficient capabilities to run the game smoothly.

The official system requirements for PC won’t overly strain hardware capabilities:

Minimum:

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system. OS: Windows 10 / Windows 11 Processor: Intel Core i7-9700 / AMD Ryzen 7 2700X Memory: 16 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 / AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT Storage: 100 GB available space Additional Notes: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system. Requires 8 CPU Cores. Requires 8 GB VRAM for graphics. SSD storage required.

Recommended:

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system. OS: Windows 10 / Windows 11 Processor: Intel Core i7-12700 / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Memory: 32 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 / AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT Storage: 100 GB available space Additional Notes: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system. Requires 8+ CPU Cores. Requires 12+ GB VRAM for graphics. SSD storage required.

While Gearbox has yet to form official partnerships with hardware giants AMD or NVIDIA regarding Borderlands 4, there may be forthcoming updates ahead of the game’s launch.

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