Gearbox Software has just concluded its State of Play for Borderlands 4, unveiling an exciting 20 minutes of new gameplay and details from this highly anticipated looter shooter. The presentation dives straight into the action, assuring fans that the 2025 release of Borderlands 4 will be the studio's most refined and immersive game to date. It promises significant gameplay enhancements, including new traversal mechanics and a revamped loot drop system. Gearbox packed the 20-minute showcase with insights into how Borderlands 4 raises the bar with fresh mechanics and revitalized features, and we have all the key highlights here for you.

Every installment of Borderlands brings updates to its traversal mechanics, and Borderlands 4 is no exception. We've had glimpses of the new tools players will wield when the game launches this September, but today's gameplay footage provides a more comprehensive view of what's on offer.

Vault hunters will now enjoy a Destiny-inspired midair hover, allowing them to shoot while in the air or reach distant ledges. Additionally, a grappling hook enhances both combat and exploration, and a dash feature enables last-second evasive maneuvers. Vehicles remain a crucial element in Borderlands 4, with players now able to spawn their rides, including the new Digirunner, at any location they choose.

Guns and Manufacturers

While previous showcases focused on Vault Hunter traversal mechanics, today's State of Play spotlighted the gun manufacturers. Eight companies will supply players' arsenal this time, introducing three new ones: Order, Ripper, and Daedalus, each bringing their unique weapon designs and abilities.

Borderlands 4 takes its gun mechanics to the next level with the introduction of the Licensed Parts System. This allows guns to be assembled from various parts from different manufacturers, such as an assault rifle with elemental components from Maliwan, an ammo clip from Torgue, and a shield from Hyperion. Higher rarity weapons will feature more parts, making the pursuit of elite loot drops more vital than ever.

Borderlands 4 State of Play Gameplay Screenshots

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The State of Play for Borderlands 4 follows two Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren and Rafa, a former Tediore soldier in an exosuit. Vex uses her Siren abilities to summon allies in combat, while Rafa crafts tools like Ark Knives for quick enemy takedowns. The showcased gameplay sees them battling through the cold, open arenas of the Terminus Range, one of four zones on the planet Kairos.

Borderlands 4 continues the series' tradition of blending familiar faces with new characters. Returning figures include Moxxi, Zane, Amara, and Claptrap, with hints of more to come about Lilith. Newcomers include Rush, a towering armored figure, and Echo 4, a robot companion that assists players by scanning environments, hacking, and guiding lost Vault Hunters to their next objective.

Multiplayer

Borderlands 4 enhances the multiplayer experience with a streamlined co-op process. Gearbox has introduced "an improved lobby system" for easier friend connections, along with crossplay at launch. Loot will be instanced for each player, and dynamic level scaling ensures seamless gameplay across different platforms.

Party customization goes further, allowing each player to set their own difficulty settings independently. Split-screen couch co-op will be available at launch, and a new feature enables players to fast travel to their friends if someone gets lost.

Borderlands 4 has moved up its release date by 11 days, from September 23 to September 12, for PC via the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is slated for release later in the year.

Despite fan speculation, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford clarified that the date change is not related to the long-awaited release of Take-Two Interactive’s Grand Theft Auto 6. Stay tuned for more updates on Borderlands 4 as we approach Gearbox's upcoming hands-on gameplay event in June.