Borderlands 4 arrives September 12 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC. Learn about the new Vault challenge mode, gameplay mechanics, story setting, and character features.
Borderlands 4, the latest installment in Gearbox Software’s looter shooter franchise, is scheduled for release on September 12 across multiple platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and Windows PC. The game will launch at a price point of $70, a slight reduction from the earlier speculated price of $80. Developed by Gearbox and published by Take-Two Interactive, Borderlands 4 introduces several new gameplay systems, a new narrative setting, and optional high-difficulty content designed for players looking for deeper engagement.
Borderlands 4 Release Date Confirmed
The game takes place on a new planet called Kairos, where players assume the role of a Vault Hunter. The central conflict involves confronting a character known as the Timekeeper, a dictator who has maintained control over Kairos for over a thousand years. In an interview with GamesBeat, the game's creative director (Graeme Timmins) the Vaults have been used by the Timekeeper to isolate humanity and enforce order. The player’s journey begins with a mission to discover one of these Vaults, but it quickly expands into a broader resistance effort to free the planet’s inhabitants and uncover its hidden history.
One of the game’s most notable new features is the Vault challenge mode. This is an optional gameplay segment that allows players to engage in high-level combat scenarios without affecting the main story progression. To access the Vaults, players need to locate key fragments scattered throughout the world.
Once inside, they must navigate floating rocky landscapes, eliminate enemy forces, and progress through a series of combat zones. If a player is defeated, they respawn at the beginning of the loop, with only a monetary cost but no long-term penalties. According to Timmins, the design of Vault bosses has advanced compared to previous titles in the series. These encounters are built around more than just damage output, incorporating movement mechanics like dodging and grappling.
Players are expected to adapt their strategy with each attempt. The system encourages experimentation with different gear combinations and tactics. For example, players may choose a shock weapon to target shielded enemies or opt for corrosive damage to counter armored opponents. Weapon synergy also plays a role, such as combining a Maliwan elemental weapon with ricochet rounds from Jakobs to maximize crowd control.
Borderlands 4 also introduces new companion-based skills that offer tactical flexibility in combat. One such skill, known as “Dead Ringer,” allows the player to summon Spectres or Reapers as support characters. These companions operate independently, with Spectres dealing long-range damage and Reapers engaging in melee combat. Their presence is particularly useful during crowded battles, helping players manage enemy attention and reduce incoming damage.
While the Vault missions present a higher level of difficulty, the game is not designed to punish failure. If a player is defeated, they can respawn by spending in-game currency and attempt the mission again. This system supports trial and error, allowing players to gradually improve their approach and refine their builds over time.
Borderlands 4 Release Date Confirmed
Borderlands 4 comes after a six-year gap since the release of Borderlands 3 in 2019. The game has been in development for several years, even prior to the launch of its predecessor. In March 2024, Take-Two Interactive acquired Gearbox Software for $460 million, a notable investment though significantly less than the up to $1.3 billion previously paid by Embracer Group. With strong market expectations and long-standing franchise recognition, Borderlands 4 enters the release cycle with considerable anticipation, similar to other high-profile titles like GTA VI.
Despite the renewed focus on gameplay and character development, Borderlands 4 has no connection to the 2024 Borderlands film. Instead, the game introduces a new cast of characters and a self-contained storyline on the planet Kairos. Early impressions from hands-on previews indicate that both the single-player and optional Vault content offer varied experiences, with open areas like the Fadefields providing contrast to the more confined and demanding Vault environments.
Borderlands 4 Release Date Confirmed
Borderlands 4 aims to deliver a refined and expanded experience within the action role-playing and looter shooter genre. With the introduction of optional Vault challenge missions, a new planetary setting, and updated gear systems, the game provides multiple paths for player engagement. Launching on September 12, it is positioned as a significant release for 2025 and is expected to attract both returning fans and newcomers across all supported platforms.
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Eliza Crichton-Stuart
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Updated:
June 23rd 2025
Posted:
June 23rd 2025