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Borderlands 4 revisits its roots while also venturing into bold, uncharted territory. Set on a brand-new planet called Kairos, the game introduces a dynamic clash between rival factions, a mysterious new antagonist known as the Timekeeper, and a fresh lineup of Vault Hunters with deeper customization than ever before. The classic chaotic firefights, quirky characters, and over-the-top arsenal are still present — but this time, they’re part of a more open-ended, thoughtfully designed world.
Exploration is clearly a key focus in Borderlands 4, with gameplay systems that reward curiosity and experimentation. There’s no hand-holding here — instead, movement becomes a central mechanic, not just a secondary feature. Progression appears to split into multiple paths, hinting at a more complex, layered design. Kairos doesn’t rush you; it invites you to slow down and take in your surroundings — not due to a lack of content, but because of how that content is delivered. Whether that shift will resonate across the full game is still unknown, but the groundwork is already promising.
XDG got early hands-on time with two parts of the game: a free exploration segment in Kairos’ Fadefields, and a deeper dive into one of the game’s Vaults. Only two of the new Vault Hunters were available — Vex, a shadowy Dark Siren, and Rafa, a heavily armed Exo-Soldier. Each had separate save files at Level 5 for exploration and Level 20 for the Vault preview.
What stands out most is how Borderlands 4 pushes players to approach combat differently. Where previous games emphasized gunplay and the occasional skill usage, this one insists on constant movement. And it’s tougher, too — enemies hit harder and smarter, and standing still just isn’t an option anymore.
While earlier entries encouraged players to stay mobile, Borderlands 4 demands it. Once that idea clicked, I found myself zipping around the battlefield with grapples, double jumps, and glides. It started to feel more like Destiny 2, where mobility isn’t just helpful — it’s essential. These new traversal mechanics don’t just make fights more manageable; they make combat way more fun than anything the series has delivered before.
All in all, Borderlands 4 leaves a strong first impression. Kairos stands out as a world that feels worth exploring on its own terms, with the environment urging you forward. Movement plays a much bigger role than it ever has before. Double jumps, glides, and grapples all contribute to a faster and more reactive style of combat. Vex and Rafa each bring unique mechanics to the table. Their skill trees are bigger and more layered, even early on, and they seem designed to support a wide range of builds.
What surprised me most was how interconnected everything felt. Activities like Airshipwreck and Vanguard Drill Sites aren’t just filler. They push you to use every mechanic the game introduces, and the Vault encounter tested that the most. It was difficult but fair, and it respected the tools I had been given. I still have questions about pacing and variety across the full game, but what I played was focused, well-structured, and full of potential. If that holds up, Borderlands 4 could mark a turning point for the series.
Borderlands 4 releases September 12 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. XDG was provided travel and lodging for the purposes of this preview.
