Summary
Borderlands 4is one of 2025’s most anticipated games, after fans have now had to wait over five years since the release of its predecessor for the next entry. Based on what has been revealed so far, it looks likeBorderlands 4is doing its best not to just be anotherBorderlandsgame, with brand-new features including four brand-new Vault Hunters, a new planet, a fresh take on vehicles, an original story, a seamless world, and even a more realistic art style. However, even with all those changes and additions, theBorderlandsseries still finds itself at an important crossroads withBorderlands 4, where it needs to decide what it was, what it is, and what it should be moving forward.
WhenBorderlandslaunched in 2009, it practically invented the looter shooter. But now, it’s no longer a leader and is instead simply part of the crowd. As such,Borderlands 4can’t afford to just be another Borderlands game, as it needs to somehow reassert its identity in the increasingly competitive genre it calls home. If the humor hasn’t matured, if the gameplay doesn’t evolve, and if the world feels like it’s on rails, people may check out. Additionally, it needs more engaging and emotional storytelling, deeper customization, more dramatic themes, and an evolving endgame if it hopes to stay relevant.
Borderlands 4 Can’t Be Just Another Borderlands Game
Borderlands 4 Needs More Mature Humor and Evolved Gameplay
TheBorderlandsseries has always embraced absurdity, to the point that it is one of the franchise’s most notable characteristics. During theXbox 360 and PS3 era, its immature and outlandish humor is a significant part of what made the series feel distinct from other titles. But in a post-Cyberpunk 2077,Baldur’s Gate 3, andAlan Wake 2world,Borderlands 4would be remiss not to grow the series up a little with more mature humor.
Borderlands 2, which is widely considered thebestBorderlandsgameever made, somehow managed to strike a balance between irreverent humor and emotional storytelling, only forBorderlands 3’s endless meme references and juvenile gags to somewhat undo that legacy. WhenBorderlands 3launched, the series' knack for what is truly humorous started to show its age, andBorderlands 4can’t afford to continue that trend.Borderlands 4doesn’t need to abandon humor entirely, but it will be at its best if it’s character-driven, self-aware without being self-indulgent, and emotionally driven.
Fortunately, Gearbox has already confirmed thatBorderlands 4will have less toilet humor thanBorderlands 3, which is a good sign for the comedy overall.
Gameplay-wise, theBorderlandsloop is iconic: find guns, shoot enemies, loot better guns, and repeat. However, other looter-shooters have evolved in waysBorderlandshas yet to catch up with. Specifically,Borderlands 4would be remiss to rely on its once-beloved gameplay loop to increase its longevity. Perhaps, ifBorderlands 4implemented weapon customizationand a greater focus on hybridization in builds and weapon selection, it might find players more willing to stick around for the long haul.
Borderlands 4’s Story Needs to Be Emotionally Engaging With a Worthwhile Endgame
Despite its over-the-top and indecent humor,Borderlandshas often shown how capable it is of quietly telling emotionally engaging stories, andBorderlands 4can’t be any different. AfterBorderlands 3showed potential for some compelling narratives, most of them were overshadowed by two rather irritating antagonists, cringey dialogue, and an inconsistent tone overall. In response,Borderlands 4’s storyneeds to have high stakes, with strong character-driven narratives and emotional consequences.
OnceBorderlands 4’s story concludes, however, it should follow with a worthwhile endgame that will keep players invested beyond the credits. An unfulfilling endgame was one ofBorderlands 3’s biggest weaknesses, as it felt repetitive after a short amount of time, despite an avalanche of loot for players to collect. ForBorderlands 4, a worthwhile endgameis almost necessary, not just to keep players around, but to add more weight to the story that precedes it. If players defeat the final boss and all that’s left is farming guns they already own, the emotional payoff is going to fizzle out.
Despite its over-the-top and indecent humor,Borderlandshas often shown how capable it is of quietly telling emotionally engaging stories, andBorderlands 4can’t be any different.
When all is said and done,Borderlands 4may be the franchise’s last chance to innovate. If it doesn’t essentially make this a fresh start for the series, longtime fans may feel they’ve only received more of the same, and any newcomers might feel less inclined to engage with it due to its unevolved gameplay, humor, and story. Fortunately, it is showing signs of breathing new life into the franchise, so a fresh start may indeed be whatBorderlandsgets withBorderlands 4.
