The wait is finally over—Borderlands 4 is here, and fans across the world are gearing up for one of the most anticipated launches of 2025. From its unique cel-shaded art style to the chaos of looter-shooter action, the Borderlands series has always stood out in the gaming world. Now, with the fourth mainline entry, Gearbox has pushed the franchise to a whole new level with bigger worlds, refined gameplay, and fresh characters.
In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Borderlands 4, including the release date, preload details, gameplay improvements, reviews, comparisons with Borderlands 3, Metacritic scores, IGN impressions, and more. Whether you’re a veteran vault hunter or new to the series, this deep dive will help you decide if Borderlands 4 is worth jumping into.
Borderlands 4: The Basics
Price, platforms, release date, and what to expect:
- Developer / Publisher: Gearbox Software / 2K Games. Wikipedia+2PC Gamer+2
- Engine: Unreal Engine 5. PC Gamer+1
- Platforms:
• PlayStation 5 Wikipedia+2Indiatimes+2
• Xbox Series X|S Wikipedia+2PC Gamer+2
• Windows PC Wikipedia+2Windows Central+2
• Nintendo Switch 2, though this version comes later. Wikipedia+1
Key Dates & What To Watch
- September 12, 2025 → Launch for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S.
- October 3, 2025 → Switch 2 version.
- 48-72 hours pre-load window → For many platforms. Plan ahead if your internet or storage is limited.
- After launch, watch for patches, stability fixes, and community feedback—these will shape the long-term experience (multiplayer stability, bug fixes, etc.).
TL;DR Summary
- Borderlands 4 arrives September 12, 2025 (later on Switch 2).
- It’s the next big looter-shooter from Gearbox, with major improvements in movement, world design, and loot systems, but still retains the series’ humor and tone.
- Critics are generally positive: ~84 Metacritic on PC; one of the strongest in the mainline series.
- Story and character depth get mixed reviews. Technical performance is excellent on good hardware, sketchy on old rigs.
- Price is US$69.99 for standard edition; deluxe tiers are costlier.
Borderlands 4 Trailer
The Legacy of Borderlands
The Borderlands franchise has always been about blending explosive gunplay with RPG mechanics and outrageous humor. Starting back in 2009, the series introduced the world to the concept of a looter-shooter. Instead of just blasting enemies, players are constantly rewarded with a near-endless supply of new weapons, each with randomized stats and unique effects.
Borderlands 2 expanded the formula, delivering one of the most beloved villains in gaming history—Handsome Jack. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel explored more of the lore, while Borderlands 3, released in 2019, brought the mayhem to modern consoles. Although 3 had impressive gun variety and visuals, it received mixed reactions for story pacing, load times between planets, and character depth.
With Borderlands 4, the question has always been: can Gearbox take the franchise to the next level? Early reviews suggest that they’ve done exactly that.
Borderlands 4 Release Date
Fans won’t have to wait much longer—Borderlands 4 released worldwide on September 12, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC. A special version for Nintendo Switch 2 will arrive on October 3, 2025, ensuring handheld players can also join the fun.
Interestingly, the game’s launch date was moved up from its original schedule. Instead of late September, the developers decided to release it earlier, citing confidence in its polish and stability. This move took the community by surprise, but in the best way possible.
Preload Times and Availability
For those eager to jump in immediately, Borderlands 4 preload is available across platforms 48–72 hours before release. This means players can download the game early to avoid delays on launch day. With a file size of over 100 GB, preloading is a smart move, especially for gamers with slower internet connections.
Price and Editions
Borderlands 4 follows modern AAA pricing, but with some relief for fans:
- Standard Edition: $69.99
- Deluxe Edition: Includes cosmetic packs and bonus items
- Super Deluxe Edition: Expands even further with extra content and early access skins
Pre-order bonuses include unique weapon skins and in-game cosmetics. Unlike some publishers, Gearbox kept the base game at a reasonable $70 instead of pushing it higher.
How Borderlands 4 Compares to Borderlands 3
This is a major point of concern (or hope) for fans: is 4 a big leap over 3, or just more of the same?
Where 4 improves:
- More seamless traversal, fewer loading screens, more mobility, which addresses a frequent complaint about 3’s segmented world.
- More refined loot systems: weapon variety, balance, customization.
- More responsive combat, better feel, more polish in visuals + effects.
- Stronger technical ambition: Unreal Engine 5, bigger world, more dynamic environmental features, etc.
Where it still shares limitations:
- Storytelling is not necessarily groundbreaking—it risks being serviceable rather than memorable. Some characters might not stick.
- Despite improvements, some parts of the map restrict freedom (invisible walls, etc.).
- Lower-end PC users will still feel the strain; if your hardware is old or near minimum, experience may suffer.
Borderlands 4 Gameplay Features
One of the biggest draws of Borderlands 4 is how it expands gameplay compared to its predecessors. Here are the standout improvements:
1. Seamless Open World
The new setting, the planet Kairos, offers a massive open world with diverse regions—deserts, jungles, futuristic cities, and alien landscapes. Unlike Borderlands 3, which had frequent loading screens between planets, Borderlands 4 allows for smoother exploration and more natural transitions.
2. Movement and Traversal
Traversal has been given a huge upgrade:
- Double jumps
- Grappling hooks
- Wall-running and faster sprint options
These additions make combat more dynamic and exploration more exciting.
3. Loot and Weapon Variety
The heart of Borderlands has always been its guns—and Borderlands 4 doubles down. Expect thousands of weapon variations, new manufacturers, and expanded customization options. Legendary drops feel more balanced, with fewer duplicates and more unique effects.
4. Combat and Skills
Gunplay feels more responsive, with tighter aiming and faster weapon switching. Vault Hunters now have more build flexibility, allowing for deeper experimentation with skill trees.
5. Storytelling and Characters
The game introduces The Timekeeper, a new antagonist who brings a darker, more mysterious vibe to the series. While Borderlands humor is still present, the narrative aims for more emotional depth. Even Claptrap, usually the comic relief, gets moments of surprising sincerity.
6. Technical Performance
Built on Unreal Engine 5, Borderlands 4 looks stunning with improved lighting, environments, and effects. However, the game is demanding—players with outdated PCs may struggle unless they meet or exceed minimum requirements.
Borderlands 4 Reviews
So, how is Borderlands 4 being received? Overall, reviews are positive, with critics and fans praising the game’s refinements.
- Combat and Loot: Reviewers highlight how satisfying the shooting and weapon variety feel.
- World Design: The planet Kairos is a hit, with more freedom, exploration, and fewer interruptions.
- Co-op Experience: Multiplayer runs smoother than ever, with fewer bugs than Borderlands 3 had at launch.
However, not everything is perfect:
- Story and Characters: While solid, some critics feel the villain isn’t as memorable as Handsome Jack, and certain side quests feel repetitive.
- Performance Issues: Lower-end hardware users are experiencing stutters, lag, and frame drops.
Borderlands 4 Metacritic Score
On review aggregator sites, Borderlands 4 currently holds a score of around 84/100, making it one of the highest-rated games in the series. For comparison:
- Borderlands: 81
- Borderlands 2: 91 (still considered the best in the franchise)
- Borderlands 3: 78
This positions Borderlands 4 as a strong comeback, only second to Borderlands 2 in critical acclaim.
IGN and Other Critics’ Impressions
Gaming outlets like IGN praise Borderlands 4 for its tighter gunplay, enhanced movement, and improved loot systems. They acknowledge that while the story may not break new ground, the gameplay loop is addictive and rewarding.
The overall verdict from critics: Borderlands 4 is a must-play for fans of the looter-shooter genre, even if it doesn’t fully surpass Borderlands 2 in storytelling.
Comparing Borderlands 4 vs Borderlands 3
Here’s a quick breakdown of how the two stack up:Feature Borderlands 3 Borderlands 4 World Design Multiple planets with loading screens Seamless open world on Kairos Movement Basic sprint, slide, mantle Double jump, grappling, advanced traversal Loot System Large weapon pool, sometimes repetitive More balanced drops, deeper customization Story Mixed reception, weaker villain Darker narrative, stronger emotional beats Performance Decent but buggy at launch Stunning visuals, higher demands
Verdict: Borderlands 4 refines almost everything fans wanted improved, but keeps the core chaotic fun intact.
Should You Buy Borderlands 4?
If you’re a hardcore Borderlands fan, this game is a no-brainer. It takes the franchise forward with better movement, exploration, and loot mechanics, while still delivering the over-the-top humor and insane firefights fans expect.
If you’re a newcomer, Borderlands 4 is also a great entry point, thanks to its standalone story and modern polish. The only caution is making sure your PC or console can handle its demanding specs.
Final Thoughts
Borderlands 4 is one of the biggest releases of 2025—and for good reason. With a release date set for September 12, preload already available, and strong reviews across the board, the hype is very real. While it may not dethrone Borderlands 2 as the series’ crown jewel, it represents a confident step forward for Gearbox and proves that the looter-shooter formula still has plenty of life left.
For anyone who loves explosive gunfights, wild characters, endless loot, and co-op chaos, Borderlands 4 is absolutely worth your time.