Borderlands 4 is the latest game in the beloved Borderlands series from Gearbox Entertainment and 2K Games. It introduces a slew of new features, including new characters and a new world. While in many ways, the game offers the same elements seen in most Borderlands games, it also refines the best parts of the series and benefits from next-gen technology. This is more than enough to compensate for some of its underwhelming features.
Borderlands 4 takes place on a new planet called Kairos, which is ruled by a cosmic, malicious dictator called The Timekeeper. He rules with an iron fist by controlling inhabitants with cybernetic implants. Kairos is also famous for having Vaults, which the Timekeeper and his subjects control.
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This has led a slew of Vault Hunters to visit Kairos in search of fortune and fame. Players control one of the four base Vault Hunters. Vex, a Siren drifter, Rafa, an Exo soldier, Harlowe, a Gravitar and former combat scientist, and Amon, a ForgeKnight and former vault-worshiping cultist. The Vault Hunters join the revolution and begin their quest to take down The Timekeeper and his subjects while searching for Vaults to raid in the process.
The Timekeeper is villainous enough to drive Borderland 4’s plot.
Borderlands 4’s narrative isn’t groundbreaking or innovative. The story follows the same structure as other games in the series. Players follow a new set of Vault Hunters in a new world, overthrowing yet another grand dictator. They’ll encounter some interesting characters and enemies along the way.
While there are some notable moments, the narrative offers nothing new, and most events and progression feel rather mundane, as if they were put together merely as an excuse to shoot people in the face and blow things up.
While this doesn’t detract from the overall experience, as the series is mainly known for its gameplay and guns, it is disappointing that the story is lackluster, especially compared to games like Borderlands 2, which has one of the best antagonists in gaming.
While The Timekeeper is villainous enough to make players care about defeating him, his motivations and personality are not interesting enough that you care more about the overarching narrative, which does not offer anything unique or noteworthy to the series.
Borderlands 4 is full of fun new characters.
However, like many Borderlands games, Borderlands 4 has some endearing characters. New characters like Rush and Conway, and returning characters like Moxxi and, unfortunately, Claptrap, are the highlight of the narrative, as their personalities and sense of humor fit the bizarre yet humorous nature of a Borderlands game.
Gameplay is undoubtedly the best part of Borderlands 4. The game features several new additions that enhance the gameplay experience stupendously. This includes the new jetpack that allows for double jumps, gliding, air dashing, wall climbing, new combat moves, and more. It also includes a grappling hook that makes traversal easier and more stylish. The combination of these two new inclusions make movement feel incredibly fun and engaging.
Additionally, gunplay feels amazing and is perhaps the best in the series thus far. Borderlands 4 features thousands of guns, most of which are vastly different from one another. Players find an average of ten guns every thirty minutes, and learning how each of them works, optimizing their stats and bonuses, and mastering each weapon type feels fantastic every time.
New customizations and skills make Borderlands 4 the most fun in the series.
The game also notably incorporates an open-world structure that makes it stand out from its predecessors. Unfortunately, this new change also feels lackluster. While its design is interesting, the open world feels like a chore to traverse when going from place to place. Basically, nothing aside from a few points of interest is in this world.
The skill tree is also significantly more expansive, offering a range of excellent skills for each character. However, it’s worth noting that acquiring good skills isn’t easy unless you’re consistently leveling up, as you have to invest in a large number of beginner and basic skills first. As such, it takes a long time to reach the truly incredible skills, which is a bit disappointing.
The game also sports several new customisation options for your Vault Hunter and vehicle, offering a refreshing new experience. Most customization options are locked behind several cool challenges that make unlocking them feel rewarding.
Borderlands 4 is the best the series has ever looked.
Visually, Borderlands 4 is the best the series has looked so far. The open world of Kairos is the most inviting and attractive location in the series to date, featuring impeccable art direction. The ethereal and incandescent look of Kairos’ sky, incredibly blue and picturesque oceans, and unique, lush flora are just some examples of the game’s great visual aspects.
Models look crisp, the lighting and reflections look excellent, and the visual effects are captivating. The only issue is the slight texture popping that occurs in some areas, but these are too rare to hinder the overall visual experience.
On the PlayStation 5, the game runs well, especially in Performance mode, which maintains a stable 60 FPS. It notably has a few framerate dips during the first few cutscenes, but this fades as you progress through the game.
Overall, despite its somewhat underwhelming story and lackluster open world, Borderlands 4 is a fantastic new entry in the series that offers hours of entertainment through its new, refreshing, and engaging gameplay elements.
Borderlands 4 is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
