PlayStation surprised us by announcing a new State of Play showcase based entirely on the upcoming Borderlands 4. While we were informed that we would be getting 20 minutes of brand-new footage and gameplay, there’s quite a bit to unpack here.
We’ve popped the presentation below, so feel free to watch or join us as we unravel the showcase further below:
Right off the bat, developer Gearbox Entertainment has claimed that Borderlands 4 will feel more grounded than its recent predecessors. I’ve always loved Borderlands for its lighthearted approach, but I would be lying if I said this didn’t look fantastic either.
Founder of Gearbox Entertainment, Randy Pitchford, hosted the showcase and took us on a ride with two of the four new Vault Hunters, who will be facing a new enemy in the Timekeeper. Set on the planet Kairos, our Vault Hunters are embroiled in a rebellion against said Timekeeper and his followers known as the Order, while getting a fresh look at the abilities, otherwise known as Action Skills.
Vex plays the role of Siren, as she can use telekinetic abilities to summon allies in battle. Rafa is the Soldier of the gang, and utilises an exosuit to help him construct a range of unique weapons like energy-infused blades, which seem to have a devastating effect on enemies, as the camera pans out to a third-person view.
We got a look at a specific mission set in the Terminus Range, a field of giant rocky mountains, where a crazy scientist is conducting questionable experiments on the locals. It’s also mentioned here that the Terminus Range is one of four zones on Kairos that can be explored, with next to no loading times.
Here, we get a look at the new glide ability, which adds to the double jump, climbing, and point grapple abilities to help players get around. Dynamic weather and events will also influence missions, but it is not yet known how this will play out.
Echo 4 seems to be the robotic assistant that will accompany us on our missions, as it hacks into a nearby computer system, revealing the location of a secret silo. In this silo, we’re also made a ware of a nearby Vault Key Fragment, which can unlock new and challenging vault which play out like high-level dungeons which hold valuable loot.
As we race towards an Order outpost, we glide down to ground level and whip out the new personal vehicle, the customisable DigiRunner. Combat soon begins as we’re given a look at new dashing in and out of melee combat, which feels incredibly fast and frenetic. The mission wraps up with a montage of traversal and combat sequences, and even touches on customisable builds that can affect and determine your unique playstyle. We got one final glimpse of a new boss, which honestly looks amazing, if not massive and intimidating.
Crossplay will also be available at launch, for you to jump on with up to three friends. It all feels familiar to fans of the franchise, but I feel like it’s doing just enough to set itself apart for the fresh start it’s aiming for.
Borderlands 4 will launch on 12 September 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PC. Stay tuned as we get our hands on Borderlands 4 closer to release.
