Borderlands 4 April 2025: Full Reveal

Gearbox Software has officially unveiled its Borderlands 4 State of Play, delivering an in-depth look at the upcoming installment with 20 minutes of exclusive gameplay and updates from the beloved looter-shooter series.

The presentation dives straight into action, emphasizing that the 2025 release is shaping up to be the most refined and grounded entry yet. With a strong focus on major gameplay enhancements, including new traversal mechanics and revamped loot systems, Borderlands 4 promises to elevate the franchise experience like never before. The full 20-minute showcase was packed with fresh details, and we’ve distilled all the key highlights for you below.

Traversal has always been a dynamic part of the Borderlands formula, and this latest entry expands it significantly. The latest gameplay demo showcased several brand-new mobility tools set to debut this September, giving players more freedom and flexibility than ever before.

Vault Hunters now have access to a mid-air hover mechanic, reminiscent of Destiny, allowing them to shoot mid-flight or glide toward distant ledges. Additionally, a grappling hook adds both combat and exploration utility, while a quick dash ability supports last-second evasive maneuvers. Vehicles remain a core component of the game, and in Borderlands 4, players can now summon their rides—including the newly introduced Digirunner—from anywhere on the map.

Guns and Manufacturers

While previous reveals gave fans a taste of the updated Vault Hunter movement system, today’s State of Play placed the spotlight squarely on firearms and manufacturers. This time around, players will encounter weapons crafted by a total of eight different gunmakers, including three brand-new additions: Order, Ripper, and Daedalus.

Each new manufacturer brings unique weapon designs and mechanics to the table, expanding the variety of available armaments. Even more exciting is the introduction of the Licensed Parts System, which allows guns to be assembled using components from multiple brands. For instance, you might find an assault rifle featuring a Maliwan elemental module, a Torgue ammo clip, and a Hyperion shield—all combined into one powerful hybrid weapon. Higher-tier weapons will feature even more modular parts, making high-rarity loot drops more valuable and desirable.

Borderlands 4 State of Play Gameplay Screenshots

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Storyline Overview

The Borderlands 4 State of Play follows two playable Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren and Rafa, a former Tediore soldier clad in an exosuit. Vex wields classic Siren powers to summon spectral allies in battle, while Rafa crafts tools like Ark Knives to dismantle enemies on the fly.

The gameplay demo takes place across the icy, open expanses of the Terminus Range, one of four explorable zones on the planet Kairos. As expected, Borderlands 4 continues the series’ tradition of blending familiar faces with fresh characters. Among the returning cast seen during the stream were Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and the ever-present Claptrap, along with subtle hints pointing toward a deeper storyline involving Lilith.

New characters introduced include the imposing Rush, a towering armored figure, and Echo 4, a robotic companion who will accompany players throughout the game. Echo 4 aids in exploration by scanning environments, hacking obstacles, and guiding players toward objectives.

Multiplayer Enhancements

Co-op play remains a central pillar of Borderlands 4, and Gearbox has made notable improvements to streamline the multiplayer experience. An upgraded lobby system makes it easier than ever to jump into sessions with friends, and crossplay support will be available from launch day.

All loot is instanced per player, and dynamic level scaling ensures seamless co-op regardless of platform differences. Party customization options are also more flexible, including independent difficulty settings for each player. Couch co-op fans will be pleased to hear that split-screen mode will be available at launch, and a new fast-travel feature allows players to instantly rejoin separated teammates.

Replacing the traditional Artifacts, Enhancements provide passive bonuses tailored to specific gun manufacturers, adding another layer of build diversity.

In related news, Borderlands 4 has recently moved its launch date forward by 11 days, shifting from September 23 to September 12, 2025. It will be available on PC via the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is also in development, with a tentative release window set for later this year.

Despite rumors linking the date change to the anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford clarified that the schedule adjustment was unrelated. Stay tuned for more updates, including details about an upcoming hands-on gameplay event in June, where fans will get their first chance to try Borderlands 4 firsthand.