Borderlands 4 returns as the most ambitious entry in the series yet, introducing players to the war-torn world of Chyros. Running on the PlayStation 5 Pro, the game expands the looter shooter formula with massive improvements to gameplay, exploration, and loot design. Players step into the shoes of new vault hunters, entering a planet ripped apart by a rogue moon and ruled by a tyrant known as the Timekeeper. The chaos begins where the story left off in Borderlands 3—this time, the disaster sets the stage for full-blown revolution.
Vax, a Siren wielding phase energy, and Rafa, a former soldier in an exo-suit, headline the new lineup of vault hunters. Both bring unique playstyles to Borderlands 4’s dynamic combat system. Players will explore four zones, seamlessly traversing through snow-covered mountains, war-ravaged cities, and ruined facilities. New movement options like dash, double jump, glide, and point grapple give players unmatched control, making combat and exploration feel fresh.
The Order Falls, Resistance Rises
Chyros has been under the control of the Order—cybernetic soldiers enforcing the Timekeeper’s will through brutal implants called bolts. The collapse began when Elus, a rogue moon, crashed into the veil surrounding Chyros after being teleported by Lilith. Now, rebellion spreads as vault hunters crash-land into a planet ready to erupt.
Returning characters like Zayn, Moxxi, and Amara join new faces such as Rush and Echo 4, a supportive drone that guides players through hacking and scanning. Story missions blend seamlessly with world events, from black site raids to spontaneous patrol ambushes and boss encounters. Silos—decommissioned Order sites—act as dynamic objectives that reward fast travel access and vault key fragments. These fragments unlock endgame vaults packed with rare gear and high-level enemies.
Loot, Weapons, and Build Freedom Evolved
Borderlands 4 introduces a fully reworked loot system. Weapons are built from eight manufacturers, each bringing signature traits—from Torg’s explosive rounds to Maliwan’s elemental damage. Three new manufacturers—Order, Rippers, and Dedus—expand possibilities further. The new licensed parts system mixes parts across brands, allowing for hybrid weapons with custom shields, elemental toggles, and alternate fire modes.
Loot rarity now matters more than ever. Drop rates are tuned to make each find meaningful, and legendary gear is once again a true prize rather than a common reward. Enhancements replace artifacts, offering buffs based on manufacturer traits and enabling tighter build optimization.
Action skills are more customizable, with three core options per character and deep branching skill trees. Players can adjust their builds mid-session by swapping augments or capstones and reassigning points at any hub. Traits add another layer—Vax, for example, shifts her elemental affinity based on the weapon equipped.
Combat, Co-op, and Replayability at Full Throttle
The introduction of ordinance gear changes the rhythm of combat. Grenades and rocket launchers now use cooldown timers, freeing players from ammo management and letting chaos flow. Combined with fast traversal and abilities like ziplines and grapple points, Borderlands 4 delivers the most fluid combat yet.
Co-op support includes independent difficulty settings, full crossplay, and instance-based loot to prevent drop theft. Fast travel between teammates and two-player split screen make it easier than ever to team up. Players can replay boss fights and missions through Moxxi’s big encore machine, adding grind-friendly structure to the endgame loop.
Borderlands 4 closes the curtain with a glimpse at massive boss battles—described as the toughest yet. These encounters are built to test every aspect of the new systems, from build strategy to movement execution.
More will be revealed this June during the first official hands-on event.
