Preview: Borderlands 4 Leans into All Its Best, Familiar Strengths on PS5

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Video game creators often appreciate trilogies, so when they continue the series and add a “4” to the name, it can imply that there’s still more to come. For instance, although Borderlands gained fame from The Pre-Sequel and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, it is primarily recognized for its initial three main games. With a fourth title on the horizon, now only a few months away, the message is clear: we’re not finished yet. This new iteration signifies further refinement in the series.

As a diehard gamer, I can confidently say that Borderlands 4 feels like a true sequel in every sense – with slightly fewer looting sessions and just as much high-octane shooting action. It’s all about refining the classic formula to make those weapon pickups more rewarding, and blasting through enemies an even more thrilling and dynamic experience. After getting my hands on two segments of the game during a three-hour preview event, it’s clear that this delicate balance could bring Borderlands 4 back to the glory days of the second installment.

Most of our interactive session was dedicated to wandering through the open world and interacting with additional content. The last 45 minutes focused on evaluating our combat skills during a Vault Mission. Among the four primary regions in the game’s expansive open world, we were able to traverse the initial one, known as Fadefields. We resumed play several hours into the narrative following the introduction of Claptrap.

The highlight of the preview’s storyline ignited the action, featuring hordes of adversaries to vanquish and a stronghold that needed liberation from the grip of the Timekeeper, the primary villain in Borderlands 4. Following this, the game world expanded, hinting at further objectives such as collectibles and additional tasks for exploration.

Since the State of Play presentation, Destiny 2 has served as a benchmark for Borderlands 4. However, while there are some minor similarities, it’s important to note that Borderlands 4 remains distinctly Borderlands. In terms of its core gameplay, this is the kind of game that will appease existing fans but may struggle to draw in new ones. It’s sticking with what made its predecessors successful, enhancing the experience with new movement mechanics and responsive systems.

If you loved any one of the past Borderlands games, you’ll almost certainly love Borderlands 4.

In your new gameplay experience, you now possess the ability to execute a double jump, scale walls, swim, grapple, and glide. Additionally, more vendors have been introduced for weapon procurement, and an enhanced modular system enables you to interchange attachments among all available options. The comparison to Destiny 2 is valid in terms of random encounters, where a band of foes may spring an ambush upon you as you traverse the expansive environment. These unexpected attacks echo Public Events from the Bungie universe, except they are unmarked on maps to heighten the sense of surprise.

During the gameplay session, two fresh characters were introduced: Vex and Rafa. The first one possesses siren abilities that allow her to summon specters and spirits as allies, while the second is equipped with an exoskeleton featuring shoulder-mounted cannons and laser swords.

As a fan, I’ve found myself leaning towards Vex more than the other character in our playtime. Dabbling with her skill tree, the sheer fun of summoning spirits that can detonate has caught my fancy. On the other hand, Rafa seems to be all about enhancing his mechanical and armament aspects. In the complete game, each of the four Vault Hunters offers multiple skill trees ripe for exploration, each catering to distinct combat styles.

Despite Gearbox Software introducing changes to broaden the definition of a Borderlands game, it remains grounded in its core elements of gathering loot and gunplay. As the developer has pointed out, you’ll encounter fewer instances of loot – which is actually beneficial since when new weapons do show up at your feet, they carry more significance.

As each gun gains more worth, you find yourself spending more time deciding if it suits your specific needs. If it doesn’t meet your requirements, the rarity of the item makes it more probable that you’ll hold onto it for future use rather than selling multiple ones at once. In this scenario, fewer items can be more beneficial.

Enjoying those less common vehicles, on the other hand, still provides the same thrill as ever. Gearbox Software consistently pushes the boundaries in combat design, creating ways to make firing a weapon feel more exhilarating than any other developer out there. You’ll convert spent magazines into projectiles, bend bullets around shields, and leave behind a trail of destructive fire upon reloading. With over a billion weapons at your disposal, this is the most expansive and innovative Borderlands game yet, without deviating too far from its established formula.

In summary, with over 20 million units of Borderlands 3 sold and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands surpassing expectations, Gearbox Software is taking advantage of a series that’s currently experiencing peak sales. Although the games have critics, Borderlands resonates with many. The upcoming Borderlands 4, based on early gameplay, looks to continue its success in the FPS genre.

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2025-06-18 16:06