Nearly six years after the release of Borderlands 3, the upcoming Borderlands 4 is set to revolutionize the series by leveraging the power of current-generation consoles. This new installment transports players to a massive, seamless world on the planet Kairos, significantly reducing loading screens that previously interrupted gameplay in Borderlands 3’s Pandora.
Senior project producer Anthony Nicholson revealed that the development team initially did not plan for Kairos to be an open-world environment. However, the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5 enabled them to create a continuous, immersive world without frequent loading interruptions.
World-building director Jason Reiss highlighted the game’s dynamic combat zones, which allow players to engage enemies from any direction, including aerial attacks. This design complements the game’s advanced movement abilities, aiming to create a large, dynamic environment where players can truly feel empowered.
Enemies in Borderlands 4 are designed to be more lifelike and interactive, often seen performing activities from a distance rather than passively waiting for players. Lead game designer Josh Jeffcoat emphasized the effort to make enemies appear naturally integrated into their surroundings, even when observed from afar through scopes.
The game features diverse side missions, including helping the beloved character Claptrap recover mementos from past adventures, alongside story-driven quests and region-specific activities.
A recently released story trailer focuses on the game’s antagonist, the Timekeeper. Additionally, Borderlands 4 boasts more character skills than the previous two main entries combined. Due to the extensive new content, Gearbox’s Randy Pitchford has cautioned that the game’s price may remain high for several years.
Borderlands 4 is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on September 12, with a later launch planned for Switch 2.
