2K and Gearbox Software have officially launched Borderlands 4, the latest entry in the popular looter-shooter series. The game is now available globally for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. A Nintendo Switch 2 version will follow on 3 October.
A new world and storyline
Borderlands 4 takes players to Kairos, a planet ruled by the villainous Timekeeper. For centuries, the Timekeeper has maintained control by using cybernetic implants called Bolts and commanding an army of synthetic soldiers known as The Order. Players must challenge his grip on the world, fighting alongside allies they meet along the way while confronting a mix of familiar faces and new characters.
Randy Pitchford, founder and president of Gearbox, said, “On September 12, Borderlands 4 puts the mayhem back into the hands of the fans – the people who made Borderlands a worldwide phenomenon. Borderlands has always been a wild ride we at Gearbox take with our fans, and with Borderlands 4 we’ve given everything we’ve got to make it the biggest and best game we have ever created.”
Expanded gameplay and mechanics
The game introduces the deepest skill trees in the franchise, giving players more flexibility to customise their Vault Hunters and create unique builds. Combat and exploration are expanded with billions of weapon options, dynamic events, and discoverable side missions across four distinct regions of Kairos. New traversal mechanics also enhance gameplay, including the Digirunner, a vehicle that can be summoned almost anywhere to navigate the planet’s varied terrain.
Borderlands 4 can be played solo or cooperatively with up to four players. Designed with multiplayer in mind, the game features instanced loot for each player, individual difficulty scaling, and a new system that makes it easier to form parties online and stay connected across different game modes.
Post-launch content and editions
Gearbox has confirmed a roadmap of both free and paid post-launch content. Players can expect additional story packs, new missions, and further customisation options in the months ahead.
Three editions of the game are available at launch. The Standard Edition, priced at US$69.99, includes the base game. The Deluxe Edition, at US$99.99, comes with the Bounty Pack Bundle, four Vault Cards with unique challenges and rewards, new gear, vehicles, and cosmetic items. The Super Deluxe Edition, priced at US$129.99, includes all Deluxe content plus the Vault Hunter Pack with additional story packs, map regions, gear, and more, as well as the Ornate Order Pack of exclusive cosmetics.
Borderlands 4 continues the series’ trademark style, combining fast-paced action, dark humour, and a distinctive visual design, while introducing deeper systems and fresh mechanics aimed at long-time fans and new players alike.
