After years of waiting, Borderlands 4 is the comeback that many fans of the series have been waiting for. Borderlands 3 was a divisive entry in the series, and the games that followed didn’t have the same appeal to some fans of the looter shooter franchise. Borderlands 4 is a return to form, honing in on what made the series so special in the first place.
The chaotic gunplay of the Borderlands series is a major draw for some players, but after spending years in these worlds and experiencing these stories, longtime fans may grow to love the series’ eclectic cast of characters. The diverse personalities of Borderlands’ characters are sure to stick with players long after multiple playthroughs of the games’ campaigns. Some of these beloved characters are returning in Borderlands 4, but there are two missing that cannot be overlooked.
Borderlands 4 Could Easily Be a Game Full of Reunions, But That May Not Be For the Best
The Borderlands series has a long list of characters that could make a comeback in Borderlands 4, but cameos may best left at a minimum.
BL4 Could Reunite All of Borderlands 3’s Vault Hunters
Amara and Zane Are Returning in Borderlands 4
Borderlands games always go above and beyond to honor their history by giving previous playable characters more prominent roles as NPCs in later games. Though Borderlands 4 is a soft reboot for the series – following on from Borderlands 3 while serving as the perfect entry point for newcomers – it isn’t afraid to make references to the past.
This is most evident with the inclusion of Amara and Zane, two Vault Hunters from Borderlands 3 that will support players during the main campaign of Borderlands 4. They have both been featured throughout the game’s promotional materials, trailers, and gameplay deep dives, allowing fans of the last mainline Borderlands title to be excited for their addition to the latest installment in the series.
Borderlands 4 takes place six years after the events of Borderlands 3, and as such, Amara and Zane have been redesigned to show how they have changed during this time period. They both remain recognizable, maintaining the most iconic aspects of their original designs, but they have been altered to better fit in with the cast and tone of Borderlands 4.
Borderlands 4 Will Likely Feature FL4K and Moze
The inclusion of Amara and Zane in Borderlands 4 makes it very likely that Borderlands 3’s remaining Vault Hunters – FL4K and Moze – will soon follow. So far, there has not been any official statement on whether they will appear in Borderlands 4, but with Amara and Zane being added, fans could expect FL4K and Moze to also make an appearance in some way, especially in DLC. Even though they haven’t been confirmed to be NPCs in Borderlands 4 yet, this doesn’t rule them out from having a crucial role in the story of the game. It’s possible for them both to appear later in the campaign as a surprise reveal, with each having missions focused around them.
What makes returning Vault Hunters so special is that it gives players the chance to see who these characters have become after their previous playable roles. The fates of Amara and Zane are now known to players, but the status of Borderlands 3’s FL4K and Moze remains a mystery. Their inclusion in Borderlands 4 seems like an eventuality, and can finally answer the question of what happened to these characters following the events of Borderlands 3.
Like with returning Vault Hunters of the past, including Amara and Zane, it wouldn’t be unexpected for FL4K and Moze to be redesigned in Borderlands 4.
Borderlands 4 seems to be going for a contrasting aesthetic, with some characters appearing more futuristic whereas others appear to have pieced together what they can find. The former could work well for Moze, upgrading Iron Bear with sleek technology, while the latter could be great for FL4K, leaning further into their rugged Beastmaster role with a low-tech look.
Borderlands 4 is Already Confirmed to Carry On One Series Tradition
Borderlands has developed quite a few traditions over the last 16 years, and there's one long-standing custom Borderlands 4 will be repeating.
BL3’s Returning Vault Hunters Could Come With a Cost
While it’s great to see Borderlands 3’s Amara and Zane return as key players in Borderlands 4’s story, it’s possible that the remaining Vault Hunters from the last game may not be seen throughout the main campaign. Instead, they may eventually be introduced in one of Borderlands 4’s DLC campaigns, giving them their own spotlight away from the events of the main story.
Adding the previous game’s playable characters to the DLC stories was an approach used by Borderlands 3. Maya and Zer0 became important characters in the base game’s campaign, but the four remaining Borderlands 2 Vault Hunters were included in Borderlands 3’s multiple DLCs. Krieg even featured in his own self-titled Borderlands 3 DLC, giving players a deeper insight into his mind and the impact the events of the main game have had on him. If some of Borderlands 3’s Vault Hunters are missing from Borderlands 4’s main campaign, their inclusion in the DLC is a very likely possibility.
This could be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s a joy to see the Vault Hunters of past Borderlands games play an active role in the player’s journeys in later games. However, having them only be available within the game’s DLC would require players to purchase the additional content just to see their favorite characters once again. Fans of Amara and Zane are safe from this concern, but FL4K and Moze mains may need to pay extra to see their Borderlands 4 iterations.
The Vault Hunters of Borderlands 3 have become fan favorites, with memorable personalities that help them to stand out from past playable characters. Including them as NPCs in Borderlands 4 gives these personalities more chance to shine and the chance to interact with the rest of the game’s cast. The return of Borderlands 3’s Zane and Amara is great for fans of these characters, but their inclusion feels like it is hinting at something more. Leaving FL4K and Moze out of the Borderlands 4 experience seems very unlikely, but how they would be included, and if, is yet to be revealed. Whether they will be part of the main campaign or included within their own DLC stories, Borderlands 4 needs to give an update on the status of these characters.
Borderlands 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
- Released
- September 12, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
WHERE TO PLAY
Borderlands 4 brings intense action, badass Vault Hunters, and billions of wild and deadly weapons to an all-new planet ruled by a ruthless tyrant.
Crash into Kairos as one of four new Vault Hunters seeking wealth and glory. Wield powerful Action Skills, customize your build with deep skill trees, and dominate enemies with dynamic movement abilities.
Break free from the oppressive Timekeeper, a ruthless dictator who dominates the masses from on high. Now a world-altering catastrophe threatens his perfect Order, unleashing Mayhem across the planet.
