As the release date for Borderlands 4 approaches on September 12th (with Switch players getting it October 3rd), it’s worth reviewing the numerous improvements and changes from its predecessor, Borderlands 3. While Borderlands 3 sparked a fair amount of debate among fans, Borderlands 4 goes beyond addressing those concerns, offering 15 key differences for players to consider before making their purchase.
Serious Tone, Only One Meme
One key difference between Borderlands 4 and its predecessor, Borderlands 3, is that the former aims for a more grounded tone compared to the sometimes over-the-top, parodic elements in the latter. Gearbox acknowledged that in some of Borderlands 3’s less favorable moments, it veered too far into parody. In contrast, Borderlands 4 is striving for a generally darker and more serious atmosphere while still maintaining some humor. However, don’t expect as much humor as before; instead, there might be one or two jokes (but rest assured, Skibidi Toilet meme won’t make an appearance).
Grapple, Double-jump, and More
In the next installment of the series, Borderlands 4, the gameplay significantly enhances the mobility with more fluid movement compared to its predecessor, Borderlands 3. Apart from sliding, you can now glide over chasms (and attack enemies while airborne), scale ledges by climbing them automatically on certain surfaces, perform regular double-jumps, and even swim. What sets this apart is the strategic application of these movements in combat situations. For instance, you can grab and hurl explosive or elemental barrels towards nearby enemies using a grappling hook. Moreover, mid-air dashing is also an option. The world navigation has been made more convenient with the introduction of the Digirunner (summonable anywhere) and Silos, which allow for faster, aerial exploration.
Seamless World With No Loading Screens
Kairos may not be classified as an open-world game, but it incorporates certain aspects akin to open-world gaming, as stated by Gearbox Software. The different regions offer a more dynamic experience with numerous events and activities to explore, and transitions between zones are now smooth and continuous without any loading screens or delays, ensuring swift access to gameplay. This represents a significant upgrade over the segmented design of Borderlands 3 (and other prior games).
More Dynamic World Design
In Kairos, there are four distinct regions that we’re aware of so far, and compared to Borderlands 3, a considerable amount of effort has been put into making these areas more lively and dynamic. The game incorporates random events similar to Destiny, features World Bosses for players to confront, and allows you to undertake side quests without needing to return them to the original quest giver. Additionally, you can collect Vault Key Fragments and locate the corresponding Vaults, engaging in battles with them multiple times for improved rewards.
Dedicated Ordnance Slot
In the newer versions, grenades and rocket launchers are no longer stored within the traditional weapon slots. Instead, they have their own special Ordnance slot, which also allows for the addition of additional heavy weapons and a new type of weapon called throwing knives. This might seem limiting at first glance, but the advantage is that these weapons are now unbound by ammunition, making them more frequently usable in combat situations.
Way More Passives, Bigger Skill Trees
As a passionate fan, I can’t help but marvel at the sheer customization available in Borderlands 4! Compared to its predecessors, Borderlands 2 and 3, the skill trees in this game are absolutely colossal, merged together they’d still fall short of what’s offered here. Not only that, but there are more passive abilities than all previous titles combined!
In fact, I recently learned from Polygon that each Vault Hunter in Borderlands 4 boasts around 80 passives, with Amon, the Forgeknight, even offering a whopping 87! Regardless of who you choose to play as, there’s an abundance of options waiting for you to explore. The customization possibilities are endless, and I can hardly wait to dive in!
Eight vs. Nine Weapon Manufacturers
In contrast to its previous version, Borderlands 4 offers a slight decrease in weapon manufacturers, now totaling eight instead of nine. Three former manufacturers – Hyperion, Children of the Vault, and Atlas – are no longer present, but they have been replaced by three new ones: Order (specializing in charged shots that consume more ammo), Ripper (firing in full auto after an initial startup period), and Daedalus (which employs various types of ammunition).
Claptrap Volume Slider
In the style of casual conversation: Just like how irritating Claptrap, the chatty robot character in every major Borderlands game, can drive you crazy, Borderlands 3 really ramped up his grating antics to another level. But thankfully, in Borderlands 4, he seems less bothersome so far, according to previews we’ve seen. However, to cater to both fans and those who find him annoying, Gearbox has thoughtfully included a separate volume control for Claptrap! That way, you can adjust his chatter as needed – either quieter or louder. Of course, it’s all about personal preference!
No Minimap
In contrast to past games, this new title doesn’t feature a minimap. Instead, you’ll be relying on a compass and the primary map for navigation in Kairos. ECHO-4 will guide you to your objectives, but for combat assistance, Gearbox has included a combat radar. You’ll need to activate it when you start the game.
Boss and Mission Replay
As a gaming enthusiast, I’m thrilled about the prospect of Borderlands 4! One of the features that particularly excites me is Moxxi’s Big Encore Machine. This fantastic tool allows me to take on bosses again and again without having to reload my game. It’s perfect for those times when I want a fresh challenge or to farm for better loot.
But that’s not all! If I ever feel like reliving a mission, I can simply replay it with my current character. This feature adds an incredible amount of replayability to the game, making each playthrough a unique and exciting experience. Borderlands 4 is truly opening up a brave new world for us fans!
Cross-Play at Launch
Instead of Borderlands 3, which implemented cross-play after its launch, Borderlands 4 is anticipated to offer cross-play functionality right from the start. This means that players on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and future Nintendo Switch 2 versions can play together. However, it’s important to note that a ShiFT account will be necessary for this, although it allows you to redeem rewards like Golden Keys. Regrettably, cross-save and cross-progression, features absent from previous games, have not yet been officially confirmed for Borderlands 4.
More Challenging Boss Fights
In previous Borderlands games, the franchise’s raid-like Invincibles and story bosses weren’t particularly difficult. However, in Borderlands 4, the bosses have more complex mechanics and tougher challenges, as stated by Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford in an interview with Insider-Gaming. He even mentioned feeling a bit nervous because certain aspects are “more challenging.” Although you can level up to take on these bosses, the team has significantly increased the difficulty, particularly when it comes to boss fights and mechanics.
Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode and Ranks
Typically acting as an enhanced game mode in Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel, Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode (UVHM) was noticeably missing from Borderlands 3, with Mayhem Mode stepping in its place instead. In Borderlands 4, UVHM is set to return, appearing as a post-campaign endgame. There will be five levels of difficulty to unlock and special mission challenges designed for rank advancement, meaning players won’t have to replay the campaign again.
Every level upgrade comes with a fresh Firmware update, offering bonus perks for your equipment. You can move these bonuses to a new item only once, eradicating the initial item in the process. This ensures that your high-level weapons and gear continue to be significant in late-game scenarios. A new feature introduced is Weekly Wildcards, which grant Legendary items upon completion of difficult missions (these change weekly). You’ll also encounter a special weekly boss for enhanced drop rates, and you can explore Maurice’s Black Market Machine throughout the planet.
30 Billion+ Guns vs. 1 Billion+
Did you know that Borderlands 3 was hyped up for having over one billion guns due to procedural generation? Well, in Borderlands 4, they’ve raised the stakes even higher with an astonishing 30 billion weapons! This is again a result of procedural generation, but also because Licensed Parts enable different manufacturer components on the same gun. During development, they showcased the vast array of weapons available, reminiscent of that iconic gun rack scene from The Matrix.
New Playable Vault Hunters Post-Launch
For the first time since “Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel”, Gearbox has announced that they will introduce new playable characters (Vault Hunters) after the game’s launch. People who buy the Super Deluxe Edition can enjoy two Story Packs beginning next year, featuring Ellie, a beloved character from the original “Borderlands”, as well as a new area, storyline, side quests, Legendary equipment, and other exciting content. The second Vault Hunter is yet to be revealed, but they’re expected to arrive sometime after Q1 2026.
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2025-09-02 18:49