During the dedicated Borderlands 4 State of Play on April 30, 2025, Gearbox and PlayStation unveiled over 20 minutes of gameplay, highlighting major innovations in combat, gear systems, and world design. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of everything announced:

Borderlands 4 will now launch earlier than expected—on September 12, 2025, instead of the previously announced September 23.

The game is set on Kairos, a mysterious new planet that has been hidden from the galaxy until now. The story unfolds six years after protagonist Lilith crashes a moon into the world’s cloaking system, disrupting the villainous Timekeeper’s mind-control regime .

Two of the four new Vault Hunters were introduced, each offering three distinct Action Skills. The revamped skill tree system now includes branching paths, augments, and capstone abilities, allowing for deeper customization and varied combat styles .

Vex the Siren

Vex is the latest addition to the Siren lineage, wielding supernatural phase energy. Her abilities allow her to manipulate the battlefield in novel ways, including summoning a spectral feline companion named Trouble to assist in combat. This companion can distract enemies, deal damage, or provide support, depending on how Vex is built. Her skill tree offers branching paths, augments, and capstone abilities, enabling deep customization to suit various playstyles.

Rafa the Exo-Soldier

Rafa is a former Tediore soldier equipped with an experimental exo-suit capable of digistructing a variety of weapons. This suit allows Rafa to adapt to different combat scenarios by generating weapons on the fly, providing versatility in battle. Her skill tree also features branching paths, augments, and capstone abilities, allowing players to tailor her abilities to their preferred combat style.

Both Vex and Rafa are designed to offer distinct gameplay experiences, with their unique abilities and customizable skill trees providing a range of options for players. The remaining two Vault Hunters have yet to be revealed, but Gearbox has confirmed that each character will bring their own unique traits and playstyles to the game.

Weapon System Overhaul

A standout feature in Borderlands 4 is the introduction of the Licensed Parts System. This mechanic allows weapons to be constructed from components of different manufacturers, enabling hybrid weapons that combine unique traits. For instance, a rifle might integrate a Vladof barrel, a Torgue magazine, and a Maliwan elemental switch, resulting in a firearm that blends rapid-fire capability with explosive and elemental effects .

Additionally, the game expands its arsenal with eight weapon manufacturers, including three newcomers: Order, Ripper, and Daedalus . This diversification, coupled with the Licensed Parts System, promises a vast array of weapon combinations, enhancing the variety and uniqueness of loot drops.

Introduction of the Ordnance Slot

Borderlands 4 revamps the gear system by replacing the traditional artifact slot with an Enhancement item, which provides manufacturer-specific bonuses. Moreover, a new Ordnance slot has been introduced, functioning as a cooldown-based system for heavy weapons and grenades. This change eliminates the need for heavy ammo, allowing players to utilize powerful weapons like rocket launchers and chain guns more freely, thereby altering traditional loadout strategies .

Rebalancing Legendary Drop Rates

Addressing previous concerns about the overabundance of legendary items, Borderlands 4 implements a rebalanced loot system. The new approach aims to make legendary drops feel more rewarding and impactful by reducing their frequency and enhancing their uniqueness. This shift is designed to restore the excitement of discovering rare and powerful gear, a sentiment echoed by the community in discussions about earlier titles . Designed with co-op play in mind, Borderlands 4 offers instanced loot for each player, ensuring fair distribution of rewards during multiplayer sessions.

Enhanced Movement Mechanics

To enrich exploration and combat, Borderlands 4 introduces several new movement abilities. Players can now utilize a grappling hook, perform midair hovers, and climb walls, adding verticality and dynamism to gameplay. Vehicles also make a return, with the added convenience of being spawnable at any time, facilitating seamless traversal across the game’s environments .

That is basically everything and its an understatement to say that i cant wait for this game.

Borderlands 4 is scheduled for release on September 12, 2025, and will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, with the Switch version launching at a later date .