Over the weekend, Gearbox held a special Borderlands 4 Fanfest, and it delivered tons of exciting updates for players. With a new story trailer, big gameplay reveals, and even a last-minute feature added due to feedback from players, there is a lot to look forward to before the game’s launch on September 12, 2025, on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S. The standard edition is priced at $70. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is also coming later, and some lucky players will even get early access ahead of launch!
You can catch up on the Fanfest livestream on the official YouTube channel!
We put together a recap of the most important information revealed over the weekend!
A New Story
The game is set on Kairos, a planet under control of the mysterious Timekeeper. The story expands into darker themes, with cybernetic control devices and a rising revolution. You will join forces with the Crimson Resistance to fight back and uncover the truth.
Kairos is a vibrant, seamless world, nearly twice the size of Borderlands 3’s, ranging from neon deserts to alpine peaks! The sinister Timekeeper rules with implanted control devices. Claptrap will also join the fight, in a high-stakes rebellion against tyranny!
Massive Skill Trees
Gearbox confirmed each Vault Hunter now has more skills than Borderlands 2 and 3 combined, allowing for an incredible range of builds, even when using the same class or action skill.
Skill trees now also branch into micro-trees with cooldowns, handling, or elemental variations. A new “Synthesizer” lets players also use legendary artifacts together in order to get custom benefits.
This means more personal set-ups, more ways to have fun, and more possibilities to switch builds!
Gameplay & Movement
- Double jumps, gliding, grappling hooks, swimming, and climbing bring more mobility than ever.
- A hover-bike that summons from fast-travel points, load-screen free.
- Expect chaotic combat: smoke grenades, crazy psychos, destructible cover, mixing into intense fights.
- You can tackle main missions in almost any order, adding more freedom to your playthrough.
- Repeatable content like Public Events and the Primordial Vault make endgame deeper and more replayable.
- Missions are open-world and non-linear.
- EchoBot drone and compass help track height and objectives for better navigation.
Fan Feedback Pays Off: Combat Radar Returns
Gearbox also revealed that the long-requested combat radar will be included in Borderlands 4. While it was missing from early builds, it is now officially in the game, though off by default at launch.
Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford credited the Borderlands community for the change, saying it happened because of “real fans who sincerely want the best for the game.” The addition helps players quickly spot danger, especially in critical encounters, just like in past Borderlands games.
Creative director Graeme Timmins also praised the dev team for working fast to get it ready in time for launch.
New Characters & Loot
All four classes come with three switchable action skills. Siren Vex has become a favorite among many players, and got a lot of love during the event. Her minions can evolve into exploding minions that can even heal her. Loot feels meaningful again: rare weapons spawn with unique effects, ordinance slots for heavy weapons resolve ammo concerns, and legendary loot will be rarer and more meaningful this time! There are also hints at ultra-rare gear returning, and possibly Pearlescents.
It does not matter if you are in it for the loot, the story, or the chaos, Borderlands 4 is already looking like it is going to be the biggest and boldest entry yet!
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