I Was Jaded After Borderlands 3, But Borderlands 4 Won Me Back Despite the Bugs (Review)

After being disappointed by *Borderlands 3* and *The Pre-Sequel* – both of which felt like they lacked the heart and innovation of earlier games – I wasn’t expecting much from *Borderlands 4*. I’d spent countless hours enjoying the previous *Borderlands* titles, but the recent installments felt shallow, with repetitive loot and a story that didn’t quite live up to the series’ potential. I approached the new game with a lot of skepticism, bracing myself for another letdown.

I was pleasantly surprised by *Borderlands 4*. It doesn’t just refine what was already there; it genuinely reinvents the core gameplay, adding improvements and new ideas that make *Borderlands* feel fresh and exciting. While the story is fairly predictable and the game can sometimes run poorly, the chaotic, fun moments that define the series are back – and they feel intentional and satisfying. Gearbox seems to have successfully updated the series while staying true to its unique spirit.

I was really disappointed with *Borderlands 3*, so I wasn’t expecting much from *Borderlands 4*. But I was pleasantly surprised! It had some genuinely exciting moments that reminded me why I loved the series to begin with. Even though it’s not perfect, it’s a positive step forward, showing that the *Borderlands* franchise still has potential and that Gearbox can improve the game while staying true to what fans enjoy.

Rating: 4/5

Pros	Cons
Excellent mobility upgrades that refresh combat	Technical performance is poor across most hardware
Weapon parts system makes loot genuinely exciting	Numerous bugs, especially in co-op play
Open world design encourages exploration and experimentation	Story feels safe and unremarkable
Satisfying core combat that rarely feels repetitive	Frustrating UI and navigation missteps
Chaotic co-op moments that feel uniquely Borderlands	Unpolished loot management tools in a loot-focused game

Exploring Borderlands 4’s Open World Feels Worthwhile, With Every Corner Offering Surprises

The open world in *Borderlands 4* is a major improvement for the series, making it feel fresh and different. The maps are now dynamic and engaging, filled with hidden areas, valuable loot, spontaneous battles, and interesting events that make exploring truly worthwhile. Even seemingly empty spaces often hold secrets or optional goals, turning every corner into a potential discovery. This is a big change from the more straightforward levels in *Borderlands 3*. Gearbox took a risk with this open-world approach, and it paid off, creating a lively and surprising game world with many small, memorable moments that earlier games didn’t have.

The game’s environments aren’t just for show – they dramatically change how you fight. High ground, rooftops, and tricky hazards become important strategic elements. I spent more time observing and planning my attacks instead of rushing in. Combined with improved movement options, exploring the world felt both smart and enjoyable, as using the surroundings cleverly could quickly change a fight’s outcome. This game really encourages you to experiment and find new approaches in a way previous games didn’t.

What really stood out to me was how the game’s world feels like it has its own stories to tell, even without constant explanations. Every location has a distinct character, whether it’s a barren wasteland with makeshift settlements or a detailed, working industrial area. The environment, where enemies are placed, and even hidden treasures all work together to create a sense of history and life. I often found myself stopping to admire the scenery or thinking through how to tackle challenges, which made exploring the open world feel rewarding and purposeful, instead of just being a collection of battles. This clever way of telling stories through the game’s design is a significant improvement for the series.

New Mobility Upgrades Completely Alter Combat and Exploration, Making Every Encounter Feel Dynamic

The new movement system in *Borderlands 4* dramatically changes how combat works, turning standard shootouts into fast-paced, acrobatic battles. With abilities like double jumps, grappling hooks, and gliding, players can approach fights in creative ways, quickly move around the battlefield, and take strategic positions. This gives you more control and makes timing and positioning just as important as firepower, making each fight feel fresh and challenging instead of repetitive. As a long-time player, I found this added depth revitalized the experience and kept combat consistently exciting.

The game’s levels are cleverly designed to work with the new features, making the environment a key part of how you play. I found myself constantly looking for ways to use the surroundings to my advantage – like finding higher ground to dodge attacks or setting up a surprise aerial strike. Battles feel more thoughtful and strategic now, letting you try different approaches and react on the fly, all while keeping the fast-paced action the series is known for. Combining fluid movement with interactive environments leads to satisfying victories that feel genuinely deserved.

The game encourages discovery, and skillful movement lets you find secret areas or tackle challenges in new ways. This freedom is a major improvement over the more straightforward design of *Borderlands 3*, letting you come up with really inventive solutions. It’s unusual to find a game where movement, combat, and strategy work together so well, making getting around one of the most exciting parts of the experience.

Borderlands 4’s Weapon Parts System Brought Back the Thrill of Hunting for Loot

Borderlands 4’s new weapon customization system is a fantastic addition, bringing a fresh take to the series’ focus on guns and collecting loot. By letting you combine parts from different manufacturers, the game significantly changes a weapon’s stats, elemental powers, and how it performs. Even ordinary weapons can become incredibly useful with the right parts, making me pay much closer attention to what drops. This system really captures the excitement of experimenting and discovering powerful combinations that made the original Borderlands games so memorable. In fact, I spent more time examining loot in Borderlands 4 than in all the previous games combined.

This system is incredibly deep and allows for a lot of customization. It really encourages you to try out different weapon combinations, even turning weaker weapons into powerful tools with unique abilities. I found myself spending hours tweaking my gear to perfectly match how I like to play, figuring out how different effects and attachments could work together for the best results in combat. Finding loot is always exciting because even a small item could be exactly what you need, making exploring the world consistently rewarding.

As a long-time Borderlands fan who was a little let down by Borderlands 3, this new system really brings back the fun of finding loot. It’s not just about getting more stuff; each piece of gear actually feels useful and makes a real difference in how you play. That feeling of finally finding the perfect weapon setup? It’s incredibly satisfying and reminds me of those early days when I couldn’t stop searching every inch of Pandora!

Borderlands 4’s Story Feels Competent but Cautious

Borderlands 4 takes place on Kairos, a colorful but perilous planet. When new Vault Hunters arrive searching for a powerful Vault, they’re quickly captured and controlled by a ruthless villain called the Timekeeper. They manage to escape with the aid of local rebels, and their fight against the Timekeeper’s tyranny ignites a planet-wide revolution – classic Borderlands style. This setup gives players a clear objective and a compelling reason to explore the game’s world, collect loot, and engage in its fast-paced combat.

The game’s story framework is effective, offering a solid structure for both exploring and fighting without getting in the way of fun gameplay. The environments and goals connect to the story in a way that makes the Vault Hunters’ adventure feel natural, and the planet Kairos feels vibrant and dangerous, with different groups, bases, and challenges that highlight what’s at risk. Characters talk and interact in a believable and sometimes funny way, though the story itself doesn’t leave a powerful emotional impact or make you think too much about its meaning.

Despite offering a lot to do, the game’s story feels overly cautious, especially compared to the problems with the story in *Borderlands 3*. It seems the developers deliberately played it safe, creating characters and plot points designed to avoid any negative reaction. While this keeps the story from interfering with the fun of collecting loot and shooting, it also means there are no unexpected twists or genuinely captivating moments. I often completed missions feeling simply relieved, wishing they’d taken more chances to create a more memorable narrative.

The story in *Borderlands 4* works well enough to support the game’s trademark mayhem, but it doesn’t really go above and beyond. It smartly avoids the mistakes of *Borderlands 3*, though in doing so, it loses the potential for a truly compelling narrative. While the story is solid and easy to follow, it doesn’t reach the heights of *Borderlands 2*. Ultimately, it’s a safe and reliable story that allows the game to focus on what it excels at: collecting loot and shooting enemies.

Technical Issues Often Disrupted My Gameplay, and Made Me Frustrated

Even though *Borderlands 4* has better gameplay and a more detailed world, it suffers from significant performance problems that ruin the experience. On my RTX 3060, I had to reduce the graphics settings and use upscaling technology to get a stable 90 frames per second, and even then, there was noticeable lag. I also tested the game on a more powerful RTX 3090 and still experienced inconsistent performance, with frequent stutters and frame drops making intense fights frustrating. These issues are particularly disappointing for a game released in 2025, considering its size and scope.

The game is unfortunately plagued by bugs, especially when playing with others. We often noticed enemies behaving strangely, loot not appearing, and chests being inaccessible to teammates. One frustrating glitch in a specific dungeon nearly prevented us from getting a crucial, permanent upgrade, and we had to restart the area several times. These weren’t one-off problems; they occurred frequently enough to make teamwork difficult and left us feeling annoyed instead of enjoying the game. These interruptions were a constant nuisance throughout the entire experience.

The game’s interface makes these issues even worse. Slow gear marking, incorrect labels, and confusing menus caused valuable weapons and items to be accidentally discarded – including one I’d been using for hours. Managing inventory felt awkward and unreliable, which is especially frustrating in a game so focused on collecting loot. While *Borderlands 4* has improved gameplay, unstable performance, bugs, and a flawed interface hold it back. Most of these problems will probably be fixed with updates, but the game launched with these issues nonetheless.

Despite Bugs and Performance Frustrations, Borderlands 4 Reminded Me Why I Fell in Love With the Series

Borderlands 4 successfully blends the classic Borderlands experience with exciting new features, something we haven’t seen consistently since Borderlands 2. New movement options, reworked enemy fights, and a customizable weapon system give players more control and make both combat and exploration feel fresh. Even previous installments like The Pre-Sequel, which relied heavily on Borderlands 2, didn’t feel as innovative or strategically satisfying. Borderlands 4 proves that Gearbox can evolve the series while still delivering the fun, over-the-top, and action-packed gameplay fans love.

While *Borderlands 4* is a great game overall, it definitely has some technical problems that need to be addressed. I encountered performance issues and several bugs that sometimes made playing frustrating, and I can see why some players might be turned off by them. Problems with cooperative play, like a glitch in the Vault dungeon that almost cost us a valuable upgrade, showed just how unstable the game can be at important moments. These flaws are the most frustrating part of an otherwise fantastic experience.

Despite some technical hiccups, *Borderlands 4* is a fantastic return to form for the series and deserves a high rating. It’s innovative and plays incredibly well, offering a rewarding experience for those who can look past any issues. As a long-time fan, I found the improvements and creative design were enough to make this a truly revitalizing entry in the *Borderlands* franchise.

ComicBook was provided a Steam code for the purposes of this review.

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2025-09-19 17:56