Borderlands 4 State of Play April 2025: Everything Announced

Gearbox Software recently concluded its Borderlands 4 State of Play, showcasing 20 minutes of new gameplay and details for the much-anticipated looter shooter. The presentation dives straight into the action, highlighting that the 2025 release will be the studio's most grounded and innovative entry yet, with significant gameplay enhancements including new traversal abilities and modified loot drop mechanics. Gearbox packed the showcase with exciting reveals about how Borderlands 4 elevates the series with fresh mechanics and revamped features, and we've compiled all the key highlights for you here.

Each Borderlands game introduces new ways to navigate the world, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. While we've previously seen glimpses of the new traversal tools, the latest gameplay footage offers a comprehensive view of what's in store. Vault hunters can now utilize a Destiny-inspired midair hover, enabling them to shoot while in the air or reach distant platforms. Additionally, a grappling hook is available for both combat and exploration, complemented by a dash ability for those crucial last-second evasions. Vehicles remain a staple in Borderlands 4, with the new feature allowing players to spawn their vehicles, including the innovative Digirunner, at any location.

Guns and Manufacturers

While we've already been introduced to the new Vault Hunter traversal mechanics, the State of Play spotlighted the gun manufacturers. Borderlands 4 includes eight companies, introducing three new ones: Order, Ripper, and Daedalus. Each manufacturer brings unique weapon designs and abilities to the table. The game also introduces the Licensed Parts System, a novel twist on gun mechanics, allowing weapons to be composed of parts from different manufacturers. For instance, an assault rifle might feature elemental components from Maliwan, an ammo clip from Torgue, and a shield from Hyperion. Higher rarity weapons boast more parts, heightening the importance of the loot drop chase.

Borderlands 4 State of Play Gameplay Screenshots

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The State of Play follows two Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren and Rafa, a former Tediore soldier in an exosuit. Vex uses her Siren abilities to summon beings for combat support, while Rafa constructs Ark Knives to swiftly dismantle foes. The gameplay footage showcases the duo battling through the cold, expansive arenas of the Terminus Range, one of four zones on the planet Kairos.

Borderlands 4 continues the tradition of encountering familiar faces while introducing new ones. Notable returning characters include Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap, with hints of more to come about Lilith. New additions include the imposing, armored character Rush and the helpful robot Echo 4, who will assist players throughout the game by scanning environments, hacking, and guiding lost Vault Hunters to their objectives.

Multiplayer

Gearbox has streamlined the co-op experience in Borderlands 4, featuring an enhanced lobby system for seamless connections with friends. Crossplay will be available at launch, ensuring all loot is instanced and levels dynamically scale, allowing for flexible play across different platforms. Players can now customize difficulty settings individually within their parties. Split-screen couch co-op will be available at launch, and a new feature allows fast travel to friends if someone gets lost.

Borderlands 4 has shifted its release date forward by 11 days, now set for September 12 on PC via the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S. A version for the Nintendo Switch 2 is planned for later in the year. Despite speculation, Gearbox's Randy Pitchford clarified that this adjustment is unrelated to the anticipated release of Take-Two Interactive's Grand Theft Auto 6. Stay tuned for more updates as Gearbox prepares for a hands-on gameplay event in June.