Borderlands 4
Action
Adventure
RPG
Single-player
Multi-player
Co-op
Online Co-op
Cross-Platform Multiplayer
Steam Achievements
Steam Trading Cards
Adjustable Text Size
Camera Comfort
Color Alternatives
Custom Volume Controls
Adjustable Difficulty
Save Anytime
Stereo Sound
Subtitle Options
Surround Sound
Partial Controller Support
Family Sharing

Borderlands 4 is a mayhem-fueled looter shooter, jam-packed with billions of weapons, deadly enemies, and intense co-op action. Break free from a dangerous hidden planet as one of four new badass Vault Hunters.

Developers: Gearbox Software
Publishers: 2K
Release Date: Sep 11, 2025
Price (USD): $69.99
Current Players: 7.6k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Mixed(61%)
fun gameplay
engaging gunplay
variety of weapons
unique vault hunters
improved mechanics
open world design
shader compilation
story potential
DLC content
character engagement
poor performance
optimization issues
expensive DLC
lackluster story
tedious open world
Borderlands 4 is a game of contrasts; it has exciting gameplay mechanics and solid gunplay that appeal to fans, but it's heavily marred by serious performance issues and optimization troubles. The open world design splits opinion, with some enjoying the scale and freedom, while others feel it's little more than a dull, expansive sandbox. Criticism often focuses on a lackluster story and a departure from the series' earlier successes in world building and character engagement, leaving even the strong combat to falter under the weight of unrealized potential. For some, it's a welcome iteration in the franchise, but for others, it fails to evoke the same charm that made older titles resonate.

Positive Points

  • Gameplay is highly praised for being smooth, fun, and an improvement from previous titles, particularly with new movement mechanics like sliding, gliding, and grappling.
  • Many players appreciate the improved variety and mechanics of the vault hunters, noting that each character feels unique with diverse skill trees and playstyles.
  • The gunplay is highlighted as tight, satisfying, and engaging, with a wide variety of weapons to experiment with.
  • The writing and humor, while divisive, have been noted by some to have improved from Borderlands 3, with some players considering it closer to the spirit of Borderlands 2.
  • Negative Points

  • The game suffers from severe performance issues, with many players experiencing crashes, stuttering, and low framerates even on high-end PCs.
  • Optimization is consistently criticized, with players noting constant shader compilation, long loading times, and the resource-intensive nature of Unreal Engine 5.
  • The open world design is viewed as a move in the wrong direction by some, as it feels empty and makes traversal tedious.
  • DLC pricing is seen as excessive, with content perceived as lacking substance or feeling essential, leading to dissatisfaction with the value provided.
  • Mixed Points

  • The story is generally criticized for being mediocre and less engaging than past entries, but some players found it to be serviceable and enjoyed parts of it despite plot holes.
  • The inclusion of an open world design is divisive; while some appreciate the scale and freedom, others feel it detracts from the cohesive map experiences of previous games.
  • Common Themes

  • There is an overall dissatisfaction with the technical execution of the game, primarily its performance and optimization issues.
  • The nostalgia and high regard for Borderlands 2 is apparent, as it is frequently used as the benchmark against which BL4 is compared.
  • Players often express frustration with the progression system and narrative, feeling it lacks the depth and challenge of previous titles.
  • While gameplay mechanics are generally appreciated, the mixed sentiment about the story and character engagement is notable.
  • Updated 6/26/2026, 12:01:40 AM UTC