Borderlands 4 is headed our way, and we won't have to wait much longer to step into the new looter shooter from Gearbox. Now set to arrive 11 days earlier than originally planned, 2K revealed an amended release date, just before we got a huge helping of gameplay goodness in the dedicated Borderlands 4 Direct.
With a deep dive look at the game in action, the showcase brought us into the new setting of Kairos, and shed light on plenty of exciting details, including the game's approach to co-op, some of the vault hunters we'll be introduced to - such a new Siren - and the news that the follow-up has seen an overhaul to drop rates to improve on Borderlands 3's loot.
Promising to feature the same humor seen in some of the best Borderlands games - with a wealth of weapons, and the return of some familiar faces, there's no shortage of reasons to look forward to everything that's in store for us in Borderlands 4. Plus, it's also confirmed to be among the lineup of upcoming Switch 2 games that will be landing on Nintendo's new-gen console. Yes, it certainly looks set to be one of the biggest new games for 2025. So, if you're looking to get caught up on all of the latest news and details ahead of launch, read on below as we guide you through everything we know so far about Borderlands 4.
Borderlands 4 release date
Gearbox has confirmed that the Borderlands 4 release date is set for September 12, 2025.
2K announced the amended release date, which brings the launch forward by 11 days, with Borderlands 4 originally slated to arrive on September 23. The title will launch across all platforms simultaneously, with news coming as part of the February PlayStation State of Play. With GTA 6 also set to launch in fall 2025, it's great to see the Borderlands 4 release date confirmed.
All that remains to learn now is how much time Take-Two Interactive will give us between the two behemoths.
Borderlands 4 trailer
The first Borderlands 4 trailer doesn't feature any actual gameplay, but it does set the tone for what Gearbox is trying to capture here. You can watch the teaser above, which showcases a fractured planet under siege from the skies. However, below you can also find the latest trailer for Borderlands 4, which was revealed during The Game Awards 2024.
While this second trailer is also mainly cinematics, it does show some gameplay, with players stalking around different environments and shooting at enemies. We also see some platforming in the teaser, as well as some cool abilities being used to crowd-control targets.
Borderlands 4 platforms
Borderlands 4 will launch on PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series X. 2K Games has confirmed that the title will launch on both the Epic Game Store and Steam storefronts.
While Gearbox hasn't confirmed this firmly, it looks like Borderlands 4 won't be on PS4 or Xbox One, as the platforms were missing from the reveal trailer. Future Switch 2 owners will be in for a treat, though, as the souped-up next generation Nintendo console was confirmed as one of the Borderlands 4 launch platforms we can expect in September.
First Borderlands 4 gameplay details
A Borderlands 4 gameplay deep dive from Gearbox gave us an in-depth look at the looter shooter in action. As you can see in the video above, it details how the open zones of Kairos can be freely explored, and you can expect to tuck into a variety of new activities - which you can do solo or with pals. One such activity is known as a Silo, which is a location that houses old tech you can hijack.
As you "assume the role of a legendary Vault Hunter", you'll be blasting your way through "hordes of enemies in search of new treasures to loot", with "the deepest and most diverse skill trees of any Borderlands title yet". In an interview with us here at GamesRadar+, senior project producer Anthony Nicholson also detailed that the upcoming entry will play around "the humor and comedic opportunities we explored in Borderlands 2".
Gearbox is also aiming to give "an unprecedented level of expression" to players, with "billions of weapons and accessories" to loot and acquire. And speaking of weapons, the upcoming adventure looks set to do things a little differently in that department, with some changes to guns - namely, that there three new manufacturers, and a "Licensed parts system":
"With the new Licensed Parts system, you can find guns that incorporate the behaviors and abilities from multiple manufacturers into a single weapon, fueling our wildest loot variety yet," a PlayStation blog details. "In addition, Borderlands 4 reworks our approach to the iconic Legendary guns that have unique effects you won’t find on any other piece of gear."
"In Borderlands 3, Legendaries dropped too often, devaluing them and making other loot feel less special overall. In our new system, not only do all guns feel great, but now Legendary drops will truly be special events."
Gearbox has also said that a principal focus for Borderlands 4 is in the balance of approachability and complexity. "I think our RPG side of the game is so important," says creative director Graeme Timmins. "Just like our first-person side, where we're always looking to expand and add depth, we're doing that on the RPG side, but we don't want to do that at the cost of complexity."
Borderlands 4 setting
The Borderlands 4 setting has been confirmed, and it's taking us away from Pandora to a new planet known as Kairos. With our first proper look at the setting during the detailed gameplay deep dive, the PlayStation blog post that followed the showcase also sheds more light on the planet.
Said to be "rife with warring factions, deadly fauna, and desperate inhabitants", Kairos was kept hidden for thousands of years thanks to an oppressive figure known as the Timekeeper, who controlled the world's residents with "cybernetic implants called Bolts and a synthetic army of soldiers known as The Order".
But things change when a rogue moon, which was teleported from Pandora at the end of Borderlands 3 by famed Vault Hunter Lilith, pierces the protective veil of the planet and kickstarts a whole lot of chaos that you'll get to be a part of.
While Pitchford has previously confirmed it's not open-world per se, it is set to be the most open and free Borderlands game to date, and it certainly looks expansive. Said to feature "seamlessly connected spaces", the world is made up of four zones that you can explore with "next to no loading times". Kairos will also feature a dynamic weather system, with lots of side activities to discover.
Borderlands 4 Vault Hunters
Gearbox has confirmed that Borderlands 4 will feature four new Vault Hunters, with the studio continuing its tradition of cycling new playable characters into the fold.
"We think it's important that we switch it up and not do just rote designs, game to game," says Timmins.
With a look at some of the new Vault Hunters in action during the deep dive gameplay footage, Gearbox has revealed details about two of the playable characters: Vex the new Siren, who uses supernatural phase energy and is able to conjure minions, and Rafa, an Exo-soldier and former Tediore trooper who uses an experimental exo-suit.
Some familiar Borderlands faces will also return, including Zane, Moxxi, and Claptrap. We can also expect to meet a lot of new characters in the world of Kairos, with the deep dive gameplay video showing off a few, including a drone known as Echo-4 who will joining us on our adventures. The little robot buddy can hack equipment, scan the environment, and also guide us to objectives in the world.
Borderlands 4 co-op
Borderlands 4 co-op support has also been confirmed. The upcoming adventure will feature 4-player online co-op, as well as 2-player split screen couch co-op, so you can get stuck into the core campaign with pals.
With cross-play support also included - meaning you can play with others across platforms - a lot of emphasis was put on the improved co-op features coming to the latest entry in a big gameplay deep dive from the team at Gearbox:
"Co-op has always been at the heart of Borderlands, and we've put a ton of work into making it better than ever," says Nicholson. "Our improved lobby is just the start. You can also set your own campaign difficulty independently of the rest of the party. This way, everyone can tune the experience to their liking."
If you get split up during your adventures, Timmins also revealed during the deep dive that you can "easily fast travel to your friends", and loot is instanced for each player, so you won't have to fight against each other to bag the goods.
Borderlands 4 development
Borderlands 4 is being developed by Gearbox Software, the studio responsible for all mainline games in the franchise. The Gearbox CEO says that Borderlands 4 has been in development for "several years" – the studio's last game was Tiny Tina's Wonderlands in 2022.
Borderlands 4 will be published by 2K Games – just as it did with the previous titles. This will, however, be the first Borderlands game to release with Gearbox Software operating as an owned and operated 2K studio – the company was acquired by Take-Two Interactive in 2024.
Borderlands 4 has long been teased by both Take-Two and Gearbox. The game appeared on the Linkedin page for a former employee of a Gearbox support studio last year, and the publisher confirmed Borderlands 4 to be in active development back in March 2024.
Randy Pitchford also started name-dropping the game while trying to get out ahead of the film adaptation – our Borderlands movie review didn't paint a glowing picture. Still, Pitchford recently told GamesRadar+ that "I’m confident that our fans are going to be very, very happy with the next video game project," and the studio is certainly on the right track after that recent Game Awards trailer.
Why not check out the upcoming PS5 games and upcoming Xbox Series X games we think you should have on your radar right now.
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