Summary
- Borderlands 4 release date on September 12, 2025, across multiple platforms including PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.
- Features a new planet called Kairos and four new Vault Hunters alongside other gameplay enhancements.
- While official pricing hasn’t been announced, expect standard AAA pricing with multiple editions likely to be revealed.
There are numerous exciting features to anticipate in the upcoming Borderlands 4. Gearbox Software revealed more details to introduce several new features and a setting for the iconic looter-shooter game. These are everything you should know including Borderlands 4 release date, updates, and pricing.
When is Borderlands 4 Release Date
Gearbox Software announced Borderlands 4 release date to be on September 12, 2025, as shared in their April update. This is 11 days earlier than the initial September 23 release date planned by developers. Gearbox head, Randy Pitchford, further explained that they’re 100% confident in the game and development trajectory hence the earlier release.
Borderlands 4 will launch simultaneously across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC (via Steam and Epic Games store), and Nintendo Switch 2. It’ll be the first time that a Borderlands title will be available on the latest Nintendo console. On the other hand, the game is unavailable for Playstation 4 and Xbox One, limiting the game to a current-gen only experience.
Borderlands 4 New Setting and Story
Borderlands 4 departs from the traditional setting of the looter-shooter franchise which is the planet Pandora. This time, it’ll take place on Kairos, a “completely hidden” planet from the galaxy. According to Gearbox, this new setting was only brought up due to recent events.
Plus, the game is set six years after the events on Borderlands 3 with Lilith teleporting Elpis (moon) to save Pandora. Unfortunately, the moon crashed into Kairos and disrupted the ecosystem. Ultimately, it results in breaking the control of “The Timekeeper” which is the villain.
This villain serves as a ruthless dictator who has been controlling the people of Kairos through mind-control implants called “bolts.” Alongside his cruel rule, he has an army of synthetic soldiers or “The Order,” which helped him to dominate the masses. With the moon’s crash on Kairos, the inhabitants began to challenge his rule by ripping out their bolts. This set the stage for the chaos that players have to face in Borderlands 4.
What are New Features in Borderlands 4
Borderlands 4 shines with new gameplay features and improvements in line with the upcoming launch. Fresh mechanics and systems were introduced to enhance the overall gameplay experience of players.
New Movement Abilities
- A “point grapple” system alongside gliding, double jumping, and climbing were introduced to players. They also added movement options such as ground sliding, dashing, and use of zip lines for dynamic traversal.
Revamped Weapons System
- They introduced a new “Licensed Parts” system to allow the spawn of guns with components from multiple manufacturers.
- Features three new gun manufacturers:
- Order (featuring “powerful charge and release blasts”)
- Ripper (fully automatic weapons)
- Daedalus (reliable guns that can use multiple ammo types)
Reworked Loot System
- Make rarity matters again by reducing legendary weapons drop for Borderlands 4, following the feedback from Borderlands 3. The excessive Legendaries drop in the recent franchise devalued other loot drops in the game.
Improved Co-op Experience
- Improved multiplayer gameplay experience for Borderlands 4 as it expands co-op game mode. It will support a 4-player online co-op and a 2-player split-screen local co-op across all platforms.
- Moreover, the player can set individual difficulty levels despite playing together. The loot is also instanced for each player to avoid competition for items.
Ordinance System
- They removed ammo requirements for grenades and heavy weapons instead, replacing them with a cool-down. With this, players can use these tools more often than saving them until the boss fights encounters.
New Vault Hunters and Characters
Fresh characters are up for Borderlands 4 as they introduce four new playable Vault Hunters. Each character brings unique abilities and backstories, with more details to be unveiled closer to launch. For now, Gearbox only revealed detailed information on two of these new characters:
- Vex: A new Siren character who harnesses supernatural phase energy and can conjure minions to fight alongside her.
- Rafa: An Exo-soldier and former Tediore trooper, wearing an experimental exo-suit and in charge of “digistructing an arsenal of weapons.”
Returning franchise characters include fan favorites such as Zane, Moxxi, and ClapTrap. There will also be a new companion drone called Echo-4 to join players on their adventures. This drone can hack equipment and scan environments to guide players to their objectives.
Borderlands 4 Price and Editions
Pricing for Borderlands 4 has not yet been revealed in recent announcements from Gearbox and 2K Games. However, many players are expecting that it’ll follow the standard pricing for AAA titles. The previous releases in the series priced the standard version at around $69.99 for consoles and $59.99 for PC. This can be the same case with the upcoming Borderlands 4.
Various special editions may be announced as the game’s launch approaches. It may include season passes for future DLC content and exclusive in-game items that are familiar to Borderlands enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Gearbox Software’s Borderlands 4 is definitely one of the awaited games in the market as part of the iconic looter-shooter franchise. It’ll only be a matter of time before it turns September and the Borderlands 4 release date arrives. The game seems to appeal differently from the previous releases by introducing a new setting, mechanics, systems, and characters. So, which part of Borderlands 4 are you most looking forward to?
