After 10 Years, Borderlands 4 Could Lastly Get Me To Return To The Collection After Falling Out Of Love With It

Borderlands 4 is among the most anticipated video games of 2025, particularly now that Grand Theft Auto 6 has been delayed. Nonetheless, I discover myself somewhat weary of it. It is not that I do not care in regards to the Borderlands sequence, as I do. Somewhat, I really feel like I have been let down so usually by it that I do not belief no matter Gearbox has cooked up will likely be one thing worthwhile. I really feel I’m within the minority with my opinions on the sequence, which I discover a fantastic disgrace, as I would so desperately like to return to the bulk’s mind-set.

In fact, there is a purpose Borderlands 4 is certainly one of 2025’s most anticipated FPS video games, with its latest bout of gameplay trailers showcasing a extra mature expertise that appears considerably divorced from Gearbox’s previous choices. Nonetheless, I’ve, previously, discovered myself questioning if what we have seen up to now is sufficient to get me again on board, particularly after so many disappointing releases like Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands and Borderlands 3. Happily, I am not satisfied that’s the case anymore, particularly as its plethora of trailers and the State of Play have been working their magic on me.

I Need To Love Borderlands

It Is My Excellent Sport In Concept

I’ve at all times had a tender spot for Borderlands, like I think about most budding youngsters did again within the early 2010s. Borderlands 2 was my entry level into the franchise, with my sister and I gunning down psychos and skags in split-screen co-op effectively into the wee hours of the morning earlier than being scolded for staying up too late. It was at all times value it as Borderlands 2 fostered an extremely engrossing gameplay loop that was very straightforward to sink many many hours into with out feeling like a second had handed by.

Sadly, since then, no different Borderlands entry – exterior of the primary briefly – has captured my consideration in fairly the identical manner. It is not even simply that my sister and I play fewer and fewer co-operative video games collectively, though that may be a disgrace. Somewhat, I feel Borderlands’ more and more horrible writing has led to the sequence feeling boring at the very best of instances and downright insufferable on the worst. Worse nonetheless, past the unhealthy writing, Borderlands has, in my view, stagnated in a manner that’s endlessly irritating.

Even Borderlands 4 nonetheless has points that the sequence has been affected by because the very first recreation, which is why, at the very least initially, I did not give it the time of day. I’ve lengthy since moved on from the sequence, together with avoiding the apparently horrible film for concern of cringing even more durable than I have already got. It’s a real disgrace, particularly as there’s a lot potential for Borderlands to be one thing particular. It additionally pains me how few FPS co-operative video games – with split-screen – there are available on the market, particularly ones as colourful and playful as it’s.

Borderlands 4 Has The Potential To Be Nice

Its Fight Is Vastly Improved

Nonetheless, whereas Borderlands 4 does look about as tough as the previous few entries – its writing has not improved in any respect, one way or the other – there’s a number of potential right here. Borderlands 4 has discovered quite a bit from not solely its previous errors however different video games in its style and past, which has allowed it to significantly enhance its fight. That’s the place I feel Borderlands 4 will really shine and why I really feel it would pull me again in regardless of a 10-year hiatus that has left me scratching my head, questioning who all of the returning Borderlands characters are.

From the improved motion choices like the flexibility to grapple and slide, to Borderlands 4’s overhauled loot system, there are such a lot of big enhancements occurring right here, at the very least from what we have seen up to now, that may drastically refine the sequence’ gameplay loop and make exploring its diversified areas considerably extra fascinating. In fact, it nonetheless has the potential to mess issues up in a manner solely Borderlands is aware of how, however Borderlands 4’s fascinating Vault Hunters ought to, on the very least, hold issues feeling novel as they appear glorious.

All of this, and extra, positively has my hopes up that this may very well be a return to kind, and even only a strong shooter that is enjoyable for a handful of hours.

Borderlands 4 additionally options gaming’s best accomplishment – effectively, in my view anyway – split-screen co-op. It will be enjoyable in addition this up and play with my associate and even invite my sister round and provides Borderlands one other whirl. All of this, and extra, positively has my hopes up that this may very well be a return to kind, and even only a strong shooter that is enjoyable for a handful of hours. I do not suppose Borderlands wants to achieve past its restricted capabilities, it simply must hit that pretty low bar at the very least competently.

Borderlands 4 Wants To Do A Lot To Repair The Collection

Every little thing From Story To RPG Development

Nonetheless, as a lot as I am excited for Borderlands 4, I’m conscious of the heavy lifting it must do to raised the sequence and make it final past this entry. Borderlands has a spot in gaming tradition, and I would prefer to see it retain it, at the very least for a number of extra video games, however in an effort to try this, it wants to alter quite a bit. Whereas Gearbox has said that Borderlands 4 is a return to the extra grounded storytelling of the primary recreation, I am but to see that. Let’s simply say the writing nonetheless has that trace of cringe.

The gameplay we have seen up to now, particularly in Borderlands 4’s superb State of Play breakdown, has been enjoyable, however characters proceed to speak like they’re from an deserted draft of a foul Marvel film. Borderlands 4’s narrative additionally sounds somewhat perfunctory, with the participant liberating a planet from an omnipotent being that is conserving its inhabitants enslaved. Not precisely unique stuff. Once more, Borderlands does not want to achieve for The Final of Us or Ultimate Fantasy 7 heights, however it ought to attempt for extra.

I additionally really feel like it’s effectively overdue for an overhaul of its RPG mechanics. Getting a 5% increase to something is not thrilling, neither is it ever actually an impactful change, particularly if enemies degree up alongside you. Whereas I admire that Borderlands 4 is providing gamers a extra expansive number of upgrades that accommodate extra diversified builds, I nonetheless really feel considerably underwhelmed by its present strategy to the RPG aspect of its gameplay loop. Maybe it’s simply me, however I nonetheless really feel like this can be a big sticking level.

Nonetheless, Borderlands 4 is unquestionably a step in the precise path, and Gearbox is clearly tweaking sufficient stuff the place, finally, they’re going to discover a good stability. I am going to positively be trying out Borderlands 4 as I am greater than able to ingratiate myself again on this splendidly bizarre world and interact in co-op FPS motion, however I hope that my money and time aren’t wasted. Borderlands 4 may very well be one more disappointment from Gearbox, however I sincerely hope that is not the case and that I have never been fooled, as soon as once more, by fascinating trailers.