A New Era for Borderlands Begins
Borderlands 4 is shaping up to be the biggest installment in the franchise so far. We recently got hands-on time with the game, thanks to an exclusive early preview event hosted by 2K. In just over two hours of gameplay, we explored a portion of its vast open world, tested two of the new Vault Hunters, and experienced a challenging vault encounter. What stood out was how much the series is evolving—especially in terms of exploration, verticality, and combat complexity.
The preview gave us access to both early and advanced levels of the new characters, Vex the Dark Siren and Rafa the Exo Soldier. Each offered unique build potential and fresh gameplay strategies. Combined with an updated weapon system, new mobility mechanics, and an emphasis on player freedom, Borderlands 4 feels like a meaningful leap forward.
A Massive Shift Toward Open World Design
Unlike past games that featured linear progression through segmented areas, Borderlands 4 introduces a truly open world. Players now have the freedom to explore vast zones full of optional activities. It's a fundamental change that adds layers of complexity and discovery. You’re no longer on rails—if something grabs your attention, you can go after it.
There’s a noticeable difference in how this freedom affects pacing. You might set out to finish one quest but end up chasing mini-bosses, secrets, and dynamic world events. Everything in the environment, even high-level content, is accessible. That freedom makes the game feel more alive and unpredictable.
Mobility Upgrades that Reshape Gameplay
Traversal is a game-changer in Borderlands 4. Grappling hooks, gliders, and new climbing abilities let you interact with the world in completely new ways. These mechanics aren't just for movement—they’re baked into the game’s core quest and combat designs.
One mission involved using the grapple to redirect solar panels while enemies swarmed the area. Then, players had to parkour up a massive tower, combining climbing and gliding to scale it. These features turn every objective into a multi-layered challenge, making exploration and combat more vertical and rewarding.
Vex the Dark Siren: Summoning Power with Precision
Vex is one of the two new Vault Hunters revealed during the preview. Her abilities lean heavily into summon-based builds, ideal for players who enjoy tactical, indirect combat. Her spectral companion, Trouble, serves as both a tank and a utility tool. Depending on your setup, Trouble can distract enemies, hit with critical attacks, or spawn mirrored versions of itself.
Another specialization, Dead Ringer, focuses on conjuring temporary clones—Reapers and Spectres—that deal damage based on Vex’s current elemental affinity. These summons lose health over time, forcing players to make quick, strategic decisions.
Rafa the Exo Soldier: Versatility in Combat Styles
Rafa offers a more flexible and aggressive playstyle. His experimental Exo suit supports multiple builds—ranged, melee, or a hybrid of both. One of his standout specializations is the Ark Knives, which switch the game into third-person view. Players slash enemies with energy blades that stack damage with each hit.
The Peacebreaker specialization, on the other hand, equips Rafa with shoulder-mounted kinetic cannons. These operate independently while allowing you to continue firing traditional weapons. In some builds, these cannons even grant infinite ammo, creating huge potential for sustained DPS.
Combat Mechanics: Familiar Feel with Modern Upgrades
While Borderlands 4 sticks to its fast-paced gunplay roots, combat feels sharper and more layered this time around. Weapon switching, movement, and skill synergy have all been tuned for responsiveness. You’ll notice that encounters are more dynamic, particularly with the new mobility tools that allow for quick repositioning and aerial attacks.
The introduction of environmental verticality means threats can now come from multiple angles. Grappling across rooftops to dodge or flank, launching downward attacks mid-glide—these moments make battles feel less confined and far more tactical.
Previewing the Vault Encounter: A Real Test of Team Setup
In the second half of the session, players tackled a vault challenge using pre-built level 20 characters. This gave us a better look at high-level builds and how the game scales in complexity. The dungeon was packed with mechanics, from phase-specific boss behaviors to environmental hazards that required movement skills.
The boss, Inceptus, added real tension with acid floors and timed grapple challenges. Players had to leap, glide, and regrapple across the arena while avoiding wide AoE attacks. This level of encounter design shows a clear intention from Gearbox to evolve boss mechanics beyond simple bullet sponges.
Weapon Manufacturers and the Expanded Arsenal
Borderlands 4 includes eight weapon manufacturers—five familiar names and three newcomers. Classic brands like Torgue, Maliwan, Jakobs, and Vladof return with signature traits, such as explosive damage and elemental effects. New manufacturers add fresh weapon types:
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Datalus supports multiple ammo modes
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Ripper ramps up to automatic fire
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Order emphasizes precision and burst fire
The result is an arsenal that feels more diverse than ever. Each weapon has a unique handling style, and customization options add depth to what used to be straightforward gear choices.
Vault Hunter Customization Has Been Expanded
One area where the game has significantly improved is character personalization. Beyond standard skins and emotes, you can now modify color palettes and patterns on your Vault Hunter’s gear. Many cosmetics are tied to mission rewards, encouraging exploration if you want rare looks.
While the default designs for Vex and Rafa are strong, the flexibility allows players to tailor their visual identity. It’s a welcome feature that offers both cosmetic expression and a reason to complete more content.
User Interface and HUD Adjustments
The UI has undergone a full redesign, aiming for cleaner information delivery. Quest logs, inventory menus, and skill trees are better organized. However, one pain point remains: weapon manufacturer names are hard to spot at a glance. This may seem minor, but with so much reliance on gear stats and synergies, clear labeling matters.
A big change is the removal of the traditional mini-map. Instead, a compass shows objectives and enemies. While it works in theory, many players at the preview felt the lack of a toggleable map was limiting—especially with the game's new vertical level design.
Stronger Narrative, Less Cringe Humor
Story delivery in Borderlands 4 feels much improved over its predecessor. The writing is more grounded, and jokes land better without relying on outdated memes or forced pop culture references. The main plot centers around a rebellion against tyrannical rulers—a simple but effective setup that gives space for strong world-building.
Characters you meet along the way feel better integrated into missions. Dialogue isn’t constantly trying to be funny, which makes the moments of humor feel more earned. It’s a shift longtime fans will likely appreciate.
Conclusion: A Promising Step Forward for the Franchise
Based on our hands-on experience, Borderlands 4 appears ready to evolve the series in meaningful ways. From its sprawling open-world design and deeper movement mechanics to the expansive Vault Hunter builds and high-stakes vault encounters, the game takes big swings—and most of them connect.
The changes to traversal, combat flow, and quest complexity create a richer, more layered experience. The preview also shows promising signs in its boss fight design, character customizability, and UI modernization. While some small features like the missing mini-map drew criticism, these are the types of polishable elements that can be addressed before the final release.
Ultimately, Borderlands 4 feels like a natural successor to Borderlands 2, with modern gameplay refinements and a more mature sense of narrative and pacing. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, this looks like a game worth watching ahead of its September 12 release.
FAQs
When is Borderlands 4 releasing?
Borderlands 4 is set to release on September 12.
Who are the new Vault Hunters in Borderlands 4?
Players can choose from Vex the Dark Siren, a summoner-style character, and Rafa the Exo Soldier, who supports melee, ranged, or hybrid builds.
What’s different about Borderlands 4’s gameplay?
It features a full open world, new traversal tools like grappling and gliding, and more complex combat with vertical level design.
Are weapon manufacturers the same as in previous games?
Five classic manufacturers return, while three new ones—Datalus, Ripper, and Order—bring unique firing modes and mechanics.
Can you customize your Vault Hunter?
Yes. Players can adjust colors, patterns, and unlock cosmetics through missions, adding more visual and personal customization.
Is the mini-map removed in Borderlands 4?
Yes, it’s replaced by a compass, though many players hope for a toggle option due to the game’s vertical complexity.
How does Borderlands 4 compare to Borderlands 2?
Many elements—like tone, pacing, and loot systems—make it feel closer to Borderlands 2 than to Borderlands 3.
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